Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro on Friday asserted the “validity and legal clarity” of the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory in the South China Sea despite China’s continuing defiance that threatens regional peace and the rule of law.
In a video message played during a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute to mark nine years since the Philippines received a favorable ruling against China’s expansive maritime claims, Lazaro underscored the value of international arbitration.
“The award is a cornerstone of Philippine maritime policy along with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). I want to emphasize that they will remain so under my watch,” she said in her keynote address.
The 2016 Arbitral Award, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, reinforced the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and dismissed Beijing’s “nine-dash line” claim as having no legal basis under international law.
The top Filipino diplomat reminded that the ruling “is already an unassailable part of the corpus of international law” and has been acknowledged by the International Tribunal in the Law of the Sea and the International Court of Justice.
“It is worrisome that China has continued to reject the binding Arbitral Award and persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS,” Lazaro added.
UNCLOS is an international treaty that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities in the global community. But despite being one of its signatories, China has repeatedly ignored the ruling and continued its assertive activities in contested waters.
“The Award not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is like a lighthouse that guides how maritime matters and concerns in the region ought to be addressed,” said Lazaro.
The foreign affairs chief described China’s interpretation of international law as “revisionist” and “self-serving,” warning that such actions pose long-term dangers to global maritime governance.
Lazaro then emphasized the need to uphold diplomacy while simultaneously strengthening national defense and security capabilities.
She said the Philippines will continue engaging China through formal mechanisms such as the Foreign Ministry Consultations and the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the West Philippine Sea.
“Building our national capacities is essential in enabling our authorities to assert, protect and defend our interests. But at the same time, the President has been very consistent and unequivocal in saying that the Philippines will be a paragon for the peaceful settlement of disputes,” Lazaro said.
The seasoned Filipino diplomat highlighted the Marcos administration’s efforts to deepen partnerships with allies like the United States, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.
Visiting Forces Agreements with several countries have likewise expanded, including new ones with New Zealand and ongoing negotiations with Canada and France.
She said these partnerships are essential in bolstering the country’s multilateral and bilateral strategies to protect its maritime interests.
While asserting the Philippines’ sovereign rights, Lazaro reiterated the country’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“If we can engage our most challenging relationships, then surely we can produce effective strategic outcomes with our allies, partners, and other like-minded countries,” she said.
The secretary ended her speech by affirming that the Philippines will continue to reject any attempt to dilute or undermine the legitimacy of the arbitral ruling.
She warned that efforts to erode the rules-based order only embolden aggression and place smaller nations at greater risk.
“We count on the support of our partners and the international community to help us uphold the rule of law and ensure peace in our seas,” Lazaro said.
