Duterte thanks Biden for US generosity on COVID jabs

President Duterte was finally able to express his thanks – albeit virtually – to United States (US) President Joe Biden for America's generosity to the Philippines as far as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines donations are concerned.

This took place Tuesday night, Oct. 26, during a high-level discussion at the virtual 9th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United States Summit.

It was Biden's first time to attend the ASEAN Summit, the 38th and 39th iteration of which are being simultaneously conducted by host country Brunei.

A statement from Malacañang Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 27, said that President Duterte "welcomed

President Biden to his first ASEANUS Summit, noting the longstanding relations between ASEAN and the US."

"President Duterte likewise expressed appreciation for the United States’ generous offer

of vaccines for the region, including the Philippines," the statement added.

Duterte highlighted that in order to succeed against the COVID-19 pandemic, “We need to further strengthen bilateral, regional and international cooperation to ensure universal access to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines.”

The President underscored the need for sustained political dialogue, economic engagement and sociocultural ties to further strengthen the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership.

The US is one of the dialogue partners of ASEAN.

Early this month, Duterte — overwhelmed by the display of goodwill and generosity by the US in terms of its continuous donation of life-saving Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to the Philippines — said he wants to go to the US to personally thank its government and its people.

Before this, Duterte had been critical of the US, with the perceived historical injustices caused by Americans to Filipinos in the Philippines' colonial past being one of the reasons.

Peace, stability in South China Sea

As he participated virtually in the ongoing 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits, President Duterte reiterated his call for ASEAN to remain united in pursuing peace, stability, and prosperity in the South China Sea in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

“We have come a long way in keeping the peace and promoting prosperity in our region. We must not allow those with diverging interests to make our efforts fail,” Duterte said in a statement from Malacañang on Tuesday night, Oct. 26.

The events will run from Oct. 26 to 28.

The Arbitral Award refers to the Philippines' victory in the case it lodged before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, wherein it challenged regional power China's expansive nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.

The case was initiated by the previous Aquino administration.

China, a dialogue partner of the ASEAN, has never recognized the Philippines' Arbitral Award. Despite this, Manila under the Duterte administration has had friendlier ties with Beijing compared to the previous administration.

In his intervention at the 24th ASEAN-China Summit, President Duterte stated that dynamic ASEANChina cooperation puts both sides in a formidable position to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, address climate change and manage geopolitical issues.

He thanked China for supporting ASEAN’s pandemic response, particularly by making life-saving vaccines global public goods.

Duterte stressed that the ASEAN’s road to recovery from COVID-19 will be long and difficult as the region is still reeling from the impact of the pandemic.

Duterte who is attending his last Summit also called for the immediate establishment of the ASEAN Centre on Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

Noting that 2017-2027 is the Decade of Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection in the South China Sea, the President reiterated the Philippines’ call for holistic efforts to protect and preserve biodiversity and the marine environment.

President Duterte also urged countries to translate commitments into action as regards the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

“Talks should not remain empty rhetoric. They should be translated into action to fortify the trust and confidence we have cultivated through the years. Acta non verba. Deeds, not words,” said Duterte.

The President lauded the Philippines’ contribution to the substantive progress in the second reading of the Single Draft Code of Conduct (COC) Negotiating Text, as it reaffirmed its commitment to the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Joining the President during the first day of the Summits were key government officials, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista and Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez, Jr.

PH-Korea trade pact

Duterte also welcomed the signing of the Philippines-Republic of Korea (ROK) free trade agreement.

Speaking during the 22nd ASEANROK Summit, Duterte said the trade pact is "needed for our economies to recover and bounce back," clearly alluding to the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

He also pushed for the full implementation of the ASEAN-Korea free trade agreement and the early entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

The ASEAN-ROK Summit is just one of the meetings in the ongoing 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits being hosted by Brunei