‘NABALAKA KO’: Archival says city-hosted WPS event may hurt China ties

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CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has acknowledged concerns that the ongoing controversy over the city's West Philippine Sea observance could affect Cebu's relationship with China.

However, the mayor said his administration would stay focused on governance instead of dwelling on the diplomatic row.

Speaking to reporters two days after Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña accused him of "playing it safe" by skipping the city's commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling, Archival admitted he worried about the developments but stressed that the city should continue moving forward.

When asked whether the issue raised concerns about Cebu City's ties with China, Archival replied, "Nabalaka ko. I mean, these are things nga nangahitabo, but, being the Mayor, at least, we'll just go forward. Di lang ta, para nako, continue lang ta.”

Pressed on how he intended to respond, the mayor offered a brief answer: "Trabaho lang."

Archival also shrugged off Osmeña's remark that he was "playing it safe" by skipping Monday's West Philippine Sea Victory Day program at Cebu City Hall.

"I don't know what he means," Archival said, explaining that he had already committed to official engagements in Manila before the event.

His latest remarks came a day after he issued a statement defending his absence, saying the trip allowed him to pursue programs and funding opportunities that would bring long-term benefits to Cebu City.

According to Archival, he met with officials of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines to strengthen youth development initiatives and later followed up with Department of Budget and Management Secretary Kim de Leon on Cebu City's request for the Local Government Support Fund, which he said would finance priority infrastructure projects.

He also maintained that public service should not be judged solely by attendance at public ceremonies.

"Public service is not measured by being present in one event alone, but by ensuring that every opportunity to secure programs, partnerships, and resources for our city is pursued," Archival said in his statement released Tuesday.

Archival's admission of concern comes as tensions continue to build following Cebu City's observance of "West Philippine Sea Victory Day."

On Monday, Chinese Consul General Zhang Zhe warned that the city's decision to commemorate the anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling could affect Cebu's long-standing relationship with China, saying local officials faced a choice between "friendship" and "confrontation."

The warning came shortly after Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro attended the commemorative program at Cebu City Hall and praised the city government for standing by the country's position despite Beijing's diplomatic protest.

Osmeña later criticized Archival for failing to attend the event.

"I'm very proud of the City Council. Unfortunately, our mayor is playing it safe. Doesn't like to be here. Doesn't like to be identified. I'm not that kind. I take a stand," Osmeña said.

"We have to protect our own, and we have to be very careful that opportunities are not exploited to take advantage of our tolerance. So I'm not tolerating anything," he added.

Before releasing his statement Tuesday, Archival had declined to comment directly on the Chinese Consulate's diplomatic protest, saying he first wanted to review the documents forwarded to his office.

"Sa pagkakaron, akong buhaton atong tan-awon unsa ning mga documents nga niabot sa office, and I will look into that," he told reporters.

He also said he wanted to study the City Council resolution before taking a position.

"At the moment, I cannot comment on that until makita nako unsa gyud ang meat sa resolution," he said.

Even then, Archival stressed that he wanted Cebu City to maintain cordial relations.

"But ang ako lang, we'd like to maintain a good relationship with everybody," he said.

The controversy stemmed from a formal diplomatic protest lodged by the Chinese Consulate General in Cebu against a City Council resolution authored by Councilor Paul Labra declaring July 12 as "West Philippine Sea Victory Day."

The resolution commemorates the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China's sweeping "nine-dash line" claim and upheld the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The measure also urges Congress to institutionalize July 12 as a nationwide observance.

China continues to reject the arbitral award, calling it "illegal, null and void." The Philippine government, maritime law experts, and several national officials have consistently maintained that the ruling remains final and legally binding under international law.(TGP)