A few days later Lorenzana issued an apology that did not really seem like one. He stated, “I sincerely apologize to these two great gentlemen for ruffling their feelings when I said that the PCA ruling in our favor is an empty victory.” He then followed this up with another statement that maintained his position that it was a hollow victory. "How can victory be claimed over an arbitration case that proceeded even if the other party declined to participate, having stated from the beginning that it will not abide by the arbitration’s outcome?"