House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Protecting the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is giving honor to the legacy of World War II veterans, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said.

This, as Romualdez graced the ribbon-cutting for the "War of Our Fathers-A Brotherhood of Heroes"--an exhibit of the Philippine Veterans Bank dedicated to World War II veterans--during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the "Leyte Landings" on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte. 

"We are committed to protecting our sovereign rights, ensuring that the future generations will live in a free and secure Philippines,” the Leyte 1st district congressman told the audience at the exhibit. 

Romualdez said he was proud “to stand with our government in upholding a rules-based international order, particularly in our maritime domain". 

“We continue to advocate for the peaceful resolution of disputes, guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We honor the legacy of our veterans by ensuring that our nation’s sovereignty is respected, especially in the [WPS],” he said. 

According to the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, the war Filipinos fought 80 years ago was different from the conflict being faced by the nation today. 

“Today, we face a new battlefield. Our enemy is no longer a foreign invader but the threats to our territorial integrity, the undermining of international laws, and the growing tensions in the [WPS],” Romualdez said. 

“Just as our forefathers fought side by side with allies in the past, today, we strengthen our alliances with like-minded nations to defend the principles of freedom and democracy. This is a new war--a war for peace, stability, and the preservation of our way of life," he said. 

Romualdez says that the country’s defense of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity is a fight for the future of every Filipino. 

The House leader called on the people to “draw strength from the courage of those who came before us".

“The legacy they left behind is not one of violence, but of enduring peace through unity and determination. Just as they were victorious in the face of adversity, we too can overcome the challenges we face today—whether they are threats to our sovereignty or the persistent challenges of poverty and inequality,” he said. 

He said of the historic Leyte Landings, ”We are not merely recalling a historic event - we are reaffirming our commitment to the principles of peace, freedom, and sovereignty.” 

“These values, which were so valiantly defended by our forefathers, remain crucial as we confront new challenges in a rapidly changing world,” he said.