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Palace: SCS ruling legally binding, cornerstone of int'l maritime law

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
July 15, 2025, 2:42 pm

MANILA -- The 2016 arbitral ruling in the South China Sea (SCS) remains "legally binding and cornerstone of international maritime law," Malacañang said on Tuesday, after China continues to disregard the Philippines' historic win in its territorial dispute with Beijing.

"Isang tagumpay po na mapaalam sa buong mundo kung ano ang ipinaglalaban natin at kung ano ang para sa Pilipinas at para sa taumbayan (It is a victory to let the whole world know what we are fighting for and what is for the Philippines and for the people)," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

This, after the Chinese Foreign Ministry earlier said the 2016 arbitral award on SCS favoring the Philippines is "nothing but a piece of waste paper that is illegal, null and void, and non-binding."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry also claimed that the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) ruling on SCS disputes is "fundamentally flawed with obvious mistakes."

While China's position remains unchanged, Castro said the current administration has a different perspective and stance.

Castro said the award invalidated China's historic rights and nine dash-line claims, stressing that it is "a confirmation of the Philippines' sovereign rights within the country's exclusive economic zone."

She said the ruling serves as the Philippines' guide to national policy, strengthening the country's legal and operational posture.

"Nilinaw din nito ang maritime status ng ilang mga feature sa South China Sea at nagku-kondena sa panggugulo sa mga Filipino vessel at environmental destruction na dulot ng pagguho ng mga artificial island (It also clarified the maritime status of several features in the South China Sea and condemned the harassment of Filipino vessels and environmental destruction caused by the collapse of artificial islands)," she said.

"Muli ang Pangulo, hindi isusuko ang soberenya, ang karapatan ng bansa at ng taumbayan kahit kanino (The President once again will not surrender the sovereignty, the rights of the country and the people to anyone)."

Castro also enjoined Filipinos to stand united to protect the Philippine territory.

"Manatili po tayong maging pro-Philippines, makabansa, makabayan. Huwag po nating tularan ang iba na not pro any country (Let us remain pro-Philippines, pro-national, patriotic. Let us not imitate others who are not pro any country)," she said.

To protect the country's marine resources, Marcos, on Nov. 8, 2024, signed Republic Act (RA) 12064, the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and RA 12065, the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

RA 12064 delineates the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines, while RA 12065 designates the sea lanes and air routes suitable for the continuous and expeditious passage of foreign ships and aircraft through or over its archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea. (PNA)