In receiving the original Murillo Velarde 1734 map, President Marcos enjoined Filipinos to draw inspiration from it in protecting and to asserting "what is rightfully ours, with resolve and with integrity."

"Let us not only admire the artistry of the masterpiece presented to us today, but also draw inspiration from its enduring message, the call to protect and to assert what is rightfully ours, with resolve and with integrity," Marcos said in his speech during the ceremony at the Malacañan Palace.

"Let us ensure that the legacy of the Murillo Velarde map continues to guide us in our journey as a nation, steadfast in our identity, and resolute in our aspirations," Marcos added.

Known as the "mother of all Philippine maps," the Murillo Velarde 1734 map, was among the over 270 maps submitted by the Philippines to the arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 2013.

These maps, Marcos said, were crucial in establishing the country's entitlement to maritime areas as reaffirmed in the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea.

Marcos added that the Murillo Velarde map, in particular, provided critical evidence to demonstrate that the Philippines has continuously exercised authority and jurisdiction over Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands.

The turnover of the map, the President added, is also to honor a foundation document that embodies the truth of the nation's maritime heritage.

"This map's significance transcends the time that it has existed. What began as a map of the Philippines during the Spanish era became a formidable piece of evidence in our assertion of our rightful entitlements in the complex legal arena of the 21st century," Marcos said.

"It reminds us that when history, when meticulously preserved, wields immense power to inform and to uphold the truth, the Murillo Velarde map is an important gift from our past that defined the country's territory, and it is now our duty to carry its legacy forward to future generations," he added.