President Marcos: 2016 arbitral award remains key to protecting PH rights in West PH Sea

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to international law and a rules-based international order, saying the 2016 Arbitral Award remains central to protecting the country's sovereign rights, maintaining peace in the South China Sea, and securing the welfare of future generations.

Speaking during a diplomatic reception commemorating the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling, Marcos said the decision was more than a legal victory, describing it as proof that disputes between nations should be resolved through international law rather than coercion or force.

“As we mark the conclusion of today’s landmark commemorative conference, we gather not merely to celebrate a legal milestone, but to reaffirm a living truth that peace can only endure when it is anchored on justice, mutual respect, and the sovereign equality of all nations,” the President said.

Marcos recalled that when the Philippines initiated arbitration proceedings in 2013, the country deliberately chose what he described as "dialogue over confrontation, law over intimidation, and peace over conflict," reflecting its confidence in a rules-based international order.

He said the rule of law serves as "the great equalizer of all nations," ensuring that justice is based on legal principles and treaty obligations rather than military or economic strength.

The President also underscored the practical impact of the arbitral ruling on the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

“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. 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,” President Marcos noted.

“When we defend the rule of law, we are not merely defending lines on a map. We are defending the lives, the livelihoods, and the future of our peoples,” the Chief Executive added.

Marcos said the law ultimately exists to protect vulnerable people and uphold human dignity.

He added that, over the past decade, the 2016 Arbitral Award has become an important reference in interpreting and applying the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), strengthening confidence in international mechanisms for resolving disputes.

“Adherence to international law has proven to be non-negotiable, irreplaceable, non-optional,” Marcos added.

The President reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS while continuing to engage peacefully and constructively with other nations.

“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. We hold a simple but unwavering conviction,” Marcos said.

He stressed that the South China Sea should remain an area of peace and cooperation rather than conflict.

“The South China Sea must never be an arena of conflict. It must remain a sea of peace, cooperation, and connectivity. A body of water that sustains livelihoods, fosters trade, protects marine biodiversity, and unites rather than divides our nations.”

Marcos also urged governments, diplomats, legal experts, and the broader international community to continue supporting international law and strengthening cooperation to preserve peace and security.

“The legacy of the 2016 Arbitral Award is still unfolding,” the President said. “The responsibility to build upon this foundation now belongs to all of us—to governments, to diplomats, and to everyday citizens who believe that peace is best secured through the rule of law.”