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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to push for binding Sea Code in PH's ASEAN chairmanship in 2026

Marcos to push for binding Sea Code in PH's ASEAN chairmanship in 2026

Published Aug 8, 2025 08:00 pm  |  Updated Aug 8, 2025 04:07 pm

At A Glance

  • Marcos said such an agreement would help avoid an escalation of tensions and clearly define the responsibilities of each signatory state.
President Marcos said the Philippines will push for the conclusion of a binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea when it hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in 2026.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate/PPA Pool)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate/PPA Pool)
In the final part of Episode 3 of his podcast released on Friday evening, Aug. 8, the President noted the urgency of clear rules in the region, especially since the “hottest part” of the West Philippine Sea is on the Philippine side.
“We will certainly try because it is very, very important,” he said when asked if the Philippines would take bigger and more concrete steps to advance the Code’s conclusion.
“Pagka nagkaroon ng ganyan, magiging maliwanag kung ano ‘yung rules sa lahat, hindi lamang sa atin (If we have that, the rules will be clear for everyone, not just for us),” he said.
Marcos said such an agreement would help avoid an escalation of tensions and clearly define the responsibilities of each signatory state.
“Wala nang ganito, wala nang ganyan, wala nang banggaan, wala nang magtatayo ng bagong island (There will be no more of this, no more of that, no more collisions, no more island-building),” he said.

Defending territory

Marcos likewise responded to criticisms that his tone regarding the West Philippine Sea had shifted since he did not mention it outright in his last State of the Nation Address.
The President reiterated that defending national territory is consistent with the country’s diplomatic stance.
“Hindi naman nagbabago (Our stand didn't change). Because continuing to defend strongly our territory is not mutually exclusive from being a friend to all and an enemy of none,” he said.
“You can do both. You don’t have to choose one or the other,” he said, referring to the contrast between his SONA tone and his earlier declarations on territorial defense.
Pressed on China’s repeated aggressive actions, Marcos said the Philippines can only control its own conduct.
“We can only control what we do. We cannot control what other countries do,” he said.
Still, he stressed the importance of continued dialogue with other nations, even in the face of skepticism.
“Even kung minsan sinasabi (Even if they sometimes say) it’s useless… We have to keep on trying,” he said.
“Hindi mo puwedeng isara na lang na ganoon. Pagka ginawa mo yun, mas lalala ang sitwasyon (You can’t just shut it down like that. If you do, the situation will only get worse),” he added.
The Philippines previously hosted ASEAN in 2017. The regional bloc has long sought to finalize a binding COC with China amid overlapping maritime claims.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos PH-China West Philippine Sea South China Sea ASEAN
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