Malacanang's communications arm has affrimed that the 2016 ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal in favor of the Philippines remains "final and binding."

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) upheld the ruling to commemorate its 10th anniversary.

It asserted that the country relied on truth and not on force or weapon.

"Ngayong Araw sa Kasaysayan, ginugunita natin ang ika-10 anibersaryo ng 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, isang makasaysayang desisyon na naglinaw sa mga karapatan ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea alinsunod sa pandaigdigang batas (Today in History, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, a landmark decision that clarified the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law)," PCO said on Sunday, July 12.

"Makalipas ang isang dekada, nananatiling 'final and binding'

ang pasya ng Arbitral Tribunal alinsunod sa mga probisyon ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (A decade later, the ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal remains 'final and binding' under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," the PCO added.

"Hindi dahas o sandata ang ating pinanghawakan, kundi ang katotohanan (We did not rely on force or weapons, but on the truth)," it stressed.

This statement followed President Marcos' remark that the rule of law—not military or economic might—must govern the South China Sea.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on July 12, 2016, that China's expansive "nine-dash line" claim over much of the South China Sea has no legal basis under UNCLOS. The tribunal also affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. China has consistently rejected the ruling.