President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to uphold the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award on the West Philippine Sea, declaring that the country will continue to defend its sovereign rights through peaceful and legal means and will not be intimidated by external threats.
In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, President Marcos recalled the recent commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the arbitral ruling, describing it as a defining legal basis for the country’s maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Just recently, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, which stands as a definitive benchmark for the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS,” President Marcos said. “Your government will do all that is necessary to continue upholding this Award, utilizing every peaceful and legal means available to the Republic against any attempt, foreign or domestic, to undermine this achievement.”
The President stressed that the arbitral ruling is a national position that enjoys broad international support and is not something the Philippines would relinquish.
“This is not a claim that we advance alone, nor is it one that we will abandon,” the President said.
The Chief Executive also paid tribute to the men and women safeguarding the country’s territorial waters, particularly members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Filipino fisherfolk who continue to work and patrol in the country’s maritime domain despite the risks.
“To them we owe collective gratitude and appreciation for it is they who give life to the letter and spirit of the Arbitral Award,” President Marcos said.
Calling for national unity amid security challenges, the President urged Filipinos to stand together in protecting the country’s sovereignty and national interests.
“Mga kapwa kong Pilipino, sa ganitong mga banta sa ating seguridad, sa loob at sa labas ng bansa, tayo’y tumindig nang taas-noo at magkapit-bisig,” President Marcos noted.
The President emphasized that despite political and ideological differences, Filipinos share a common identity and responsibility to the nation.
“Dahil tayo man ay magkakaiba sa maraming bagay, iisa lang tayong lahi. Tayong lahat ay Pilipino. Pilipino sa diwa; Pilipino sa dugo,” President Marcos said.
The President likewise appealed for unity and patriotism, saying love of country should transcend
“Manaig nawa ang pagkakaisa at ang pagmamahal natin sa Inang Bayan at sa kapwa-Pilipino. Sa bagay na ito, hindi tayo magkakatunggali. Tayo ay magkakabigkis — tulad ng ating pinamalas sa ating buong kasaysayan,” the Chief Executive added.
As his administration enters its final two years, the President called on Filipinos to continue working together to achieve a better future for the country.
“My beloved countrymen, let us continue the work that we have started. There is no nobler cause than this. We do this for our children. We do this for our future. We can do this because we love our country and we love our people,” the President concluded. | PCO-PND
