House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez is prodding members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries to support the Philippines’ stand on issues involving the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Romualdez had this to say on Friday, Nov. 22 in Makati City before the Trilateral Commission. The commission is a non-government organization that brings together regional and world leaders to discuss pressing concerns.

“In the South China Sea, the Philippines faces complex challenges to its sovereignty, yet our commitment to a peaceful, lawful resolution remains resolute. We uphold the 2016 ruling as a testament to international law, a beacon that reminds us that might cannot make right, and that the world is governed not by whims, but by principles,” Romualdez said.

He was referring to the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which recognized the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It essentially reject China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, including areas inside the WPS.

“We call upon all nations, great and small, to stand with us in defending this order. The Philippines believes that security cannot be built on the foundation of intimidation or unilateralism. True security is forged through trust, mutual respect, and adherence to rules that bind us all equally,” the House leader said.

Romualdez said ASEAN plays a crucial role in promoting cooperation and a rules-based order in the region.

“It is our hope that the Indo-Pacific becomes a region where cooperation prevails over confrontation, where nations build not barriers but bridges, and where peace is the shared inheritance of all,” he said.

The Leyte 1st district congressman said while security is important, it should go hand-in-hand with economic progress.

“But what is security without prosperity? What is peace without the promise of a dignified life? Economic resilience and inclusive growth are not mere aspirations; they are the pillars upon which we build societies that can withstand any storm,” he added.

He pointed out that the Philippines aims to attain economic progress that is “equitable and inclusive, lifting not just the privileged few but every Filipino family.” 

Romualdez says that such a task “is monumental, as the shadows of inequality, inflation, and disrupted supply chains challenge our progress".

He stressed that the Philippines considers ASEAN “as not just a region, but a community of shared destiny, where no member state must face these challenges alone".

“We seek to strengthen our economies through partnerships, investments in infrastructure, and a commitment to digital transformation. Together, with the support of allies and friends, we are committed to building a resilient ASEAN that stands as a model for sustainable growth and shared prosperity. Let this vision be our compass, guiding us through this era of global recovery and beyond,” he said.

The Philippines is a founding member of ASEAN.