Sen. Santiago advises Aquino on his state visit on China

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago advised President Benigno Aquino III that he will have to consult with Congress any agreement that the president will be signing when he visits China, particularly on the joint exploration in the disputed Spratley Islands.

Santiago, former chair of the senate committee on foreign relations, said that she does not want to preempt Aquino and the agreements he will be signing with China.

"Being a responsible senator, I will keep myself quiet in the meantime until President Aquino returns from his trip, and I have learned of (it) from the news. That's when I should speak out," she said.

She also said that in spite of the fact that other countries have claimed the disputed oil-rich group of islands, and the joint exploration with China and other claimant-countries could be a way to settle the dispute, China has showed its force on its claim of the South China Sea by its recent purchase of an aircraft carrier.

The United States recently gave the Philippines a 46-year-old warship which was hailed by Aquino as a symbol of the country's determination to defend its claims in the disputed West Philippine Sea. — ARA