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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A decade of principle: The Arbitral Award and the Filipino story

A decade of principle: The Arbitral Award and the Filipino story

Published Jul 12, 2026 12:05 am  |  Updated Jul 11, 2026 04:47 pm
By THE NATIONAL MARITIME COUNCIL
Today, July 12, 2026, the Philippines marks the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a milestone that has become part of our national story.
Anniversaries invite us not only to remember the past but also to reflect on who we are and the future we seek to build together.
More than a decade ago, in January 2013, the Philippines made a defining choice. Faced with complex maritime challenges, our country turned to international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It was a choice rooted in the conviction that what is right should never depend on the size of a nation or the strength of its military, but on the enduring principles of justice and the rule of law.
That choice led to the landmark Award issued by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016. The Tribunal authoritatively clarified important principles under UNCLOS and affirmed that maritime rights and entitlements are governed by international law.
For the international community, the Award serves as a powerful affirmation that disputes can be addressed through lawful and peaceful means, and that international law protects the rights of all States, large and small alike.
For Filipinos, however, the Award means something even more profound. It is about the fisherfolk who depend on the sea to provide for their family. It is about coastal communities whose future relies on healthy seas and sustainable resources. It is about our men in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), other maritime law enforcement agencies, scientists, educators, and public servants who dedicate themselves to safeguarding our maritime domain. Above all, it is about every Filipino who believes that our nation should pursue its rightful interests with dignity, responsibility, and peace.
As a maritime and archipelagic nation, the sea has always shaped our history and identity. It connects our islands, sustains our livelihoods, strengthens our economy, and links us to the world. Protecting our maritime rights is, therefore, not merely about defending what is ours. It is about securing opportunities for future generations and preserving a heritage entrusted to our care.
The 10th anniversary of the Arbitral Award also serves as a reminder that this milestone and its legacy belong to every Filipino. It does not belong to any administration, institution, or political party. It belongs to us all, as we strive to do our best to ensure that our youth and all future generations inherit not just the responsibilities but the benefits as well of being citizens of a great maritime nation.
The Philippines remains steadfast in advancing a maritime future anchored on international law, responsible stewardship of our seas, and constructive engagement with all nations. We will continue to champion dialogue over discord, cooperation over conflict, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.
As we commemorate this historic milestone, let us look beyond the Award itself and embrace what it represents. Let it remind us that the Philippines is strongest when we stand together, confident in our principles, united in our purpose, and committed to the peaceful pursuit of our national interests.
Ten years ago, the Arbitral Award affirmed important legal principles. More enduringly, it affirmed something about the Filipino people: that ours is a nation prepared to stand for what is right with courage, confidence, and conviction.
That lesson remains as relevant today as it was a decade ago.
May this anniversary renew our pride as a maritime and an archipelagic nation, deepen our appreciation of the seas that sustain us, and inspire every Filipino to become a steward of our shared maritime heritage.
For the story of the Arbitral Award is ultimately the Filipino story, a story of resilience, unity, and faith that the rule of law remains the surest path to a just, peaceful, and prosperous future.
That is the legacy we celebrate today.
And that is the legacy we must carry forward... together!
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