Romualdez urges unity in defending WPS on anniv of arbitral ruling
Philippine News Agency
July 13, 2025, 3:01 pm Updated on July 14, 2025, 7:51 am
MANILA -- Reelected Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday called on Filipinos to remain united in asserting the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, as the nation marked the ninth anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the region.
Romualdez, who served as Speaker in the 19th Congress, said the landmark decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is a "historic affirmation" of the Philippines' maritime entitlements under international law.
"The West Philippine Sea belongs to the Filipino people —not because we are the strongest, but because it is rightfully ours under the rule of law," he said.
The arbitral ruling, issued on July 12, 2016, rejected China's expansive "nine-dash line" claim and upheld the Philippines' rights within its exclusive economic zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Romualdez underscored the ruling's continued relevance and warned against attempts to distort or downplay its significance.
"The award remains final and binding. It is both a legal shield and a symbol of Filipino resilience," he said.
He also expressed support for ongoing efforts by the Marcos administration to uphold the ruling and strengthen ties with countries that advocate for a rules-based international order.
Romualdez cited the need for vigilance against misinformation and urged Filipinos to honor the victory by remaining firm and united.
"This is about our sovereignty, our dignity, and our future. Let us carry the spirit of the ruling not just in policy but in our daily commitment to country," he said. (PR)
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