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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider De Lima on 9th anniversary of Philippine arbitral award: 'A victory left idle is a victory at risk'

De Lima on 9th anniversary of Philippine arbitral award: 'A victory left idle is a victory at risk'

Published Jul 12, 2025 12:01 pm  |  Updated Jul 12, 2025 01:42 pm

At A Glance

  • Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Saturday, July 12, joined the nation in marking the ninth anniversary of the Philippines' victory in its arbitration case against China on the South China Sea.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (PPAB)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (PPAB)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Saturday, July 12, joined the nation in marking the ninth anniversary of the Philippines' victory in its arbitration case against China on the South China Sea.
But for De Lima: "A victory left idle is a victory at risk."
Believing that the ruling was never meant to gather dust but to be lived and defended, she joined her fellow House lawmakers in forming the "West Philippine Sea bloc" and filed measures that aim to give substance and continuity to the country's arbitral triumph.
The bills they filed were House Bill (HB) No. 1625 or the integration of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue into the primary and secondary education curriculum; HB No. 1626 declaring July 12 as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day or a special working holiday; and House Resolution (HR) No. 39 that calls for a review of Sister City ties with Chinese cities.
"These measures represent a new, impactful phase in our struggle, one that is legislative, educational, and unapologetically assertive. Panahon na para ang batas natin ay maging sandata, higit pa sa pagiging depensa (It is about time for our law to become our weapon beyond it being our defense)," she said.
For her, to defend the WPS is to demand dignity.
She says this isn't to provoke war, but to say, with clarity and without fear: "This is ours. Respect it."
"This fight encompasses history, justice, and the legacy we leave behind, reaching past territorial concerns," she said.
"Sa tulong ng batas, ng kabataan, at ng ating kolektibong paninindigan, mananatiling buhay ang diwa ng tagumpay sa The Hague (with the helpof these measures, the youth, and our collective stand, our victory in The Hague will remain alive). Its spirit will endure beyond July 12, extending to every day we choose to fight for the rights of Filipinos in their own waters," she added.
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