MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the landmark 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, declaring that the decision not only upholds the country’s sovereign rights but also protects the livelihood, safety and dignity of Filipino fisherfolk while reinforcing the rule of international law.
Speaking during a diplomatic reception in Pasay City commemorating the 10th anniversary of the landmark ruling, Marcos said the arbitral award is more than a legal victory, stressing that it has a direct and lasting impact on millions of Filipinos whose lives depend on the country’s seas.
“Let us not forget, the 2016 arbitral award is not just an abstract triumph of jurisprudence. It has a profound and deeply human dimension. At its heart, this award is about people,” Marcos said.
“It is about our fisherfolk whose ancestors have cast their nets in these waters for many generations, and who deserve to fish in peace, in safety, and with the dignity to feed their own families. It is about our coastal communities whose survival is tied to the health and ecological integrity of our oceans,” he stressed.
The President said protecting the rule of law also means safeguarding the lives, livelihoods and future of coastal communities that rely on the country’s maritime resources.
He emphasized that international maritime law remains the only legitimate framework for peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea.
Marcos also said the 2016 arbitral award strengthened confidence in international legal institutions and highlighted the importance of respecting and honoring international agreements.
“The law exists ultimately to protect the vulnerable, to shield human dignity from the whims of raw power. Yet the significance of this award extends well beyond our own coastlines,” he said.
Reaffirming the Philippines’ foreign policy, Marcos said the country would remain firmly committed to the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“For the Philippines, our path forward remains clear and absolute. We remain steadfastly committed to the United Nations Charter and to UNCLOS,” he said.
“For our pursuit of peace is not passive. It requires the courage to defend what is right, to uphold our international commitments, and to engage constructively with all who seek mutual respect and shared prosperity.”
The President’s remarks came as the Philippines marked the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which declared that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone by interfering with fishing and petroleum exploration activities, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent Chinese nationals from fishing in Philippine waters./PN
