Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., also called PBBM delivered his 3rd State of the National Address (SONA) at the Session Hall of the Philippines’ House of Representatives on July 22, 2024. The said gathering was a traditional constitutional obligation of the sitting President during a conjoint session of the Philippines’ upper and lower chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The SONA articulated and conveyed to the general Filipinos about the current situation of the Philippines including the administration’s accomplishments, pipeline programs and projects, and as well with its legislative agenda in the executive helm.
Dignitaries from the Philippine government and various agencies including members of the diplomatic corps, international community, and media witnessed the event with an overwhelming guest in history. Former Philippine Presidents Joseph Ejercito Estrada, popularly known as “Erap” and Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal-Arroyo, often labelled as PGMA were in attendance.
The 3rd SONA of Philippine President Marcos Jr., was generally distinctive compared with his predecessor two years after his assumption into the Presidency. President Marcos Jr. delivered a bold stand in reference to the West Philippine Sea (in South China Sea). Philippine Foreign Affairs demonstrated that the Philippines would always file a diplomatic protest for China’s aggressive behavior to Philippine authorities and fisher folks deployed in areas adjacent to Scarborough and Panatag Shoals every now and then. Specifically, there were around 153 diplomatic protests against China as of May 2024 under the Marcos Presidency. This excludes the number of protests under the previous administrations, before June 30, 2022.
The Philippine President emphasized that the West Philippine Sea is for the Filipinos. It is part of the Philippines, and it will remain for the Filipinos until they have the burgeoning love for the Philippines. President Marcos Jr. further asserted that there is indeed a stronger valued sense of obligation to partake in information dissemination on the education awareness campaign so all Filipinos will have the right knowledge paramount on the international law and domestic law for the younger generation to the future leaders of the country.
In fighting for the Philippines sovereign right, President Marcos Jr. acknowledged the Philippine Coast Guard, National Defense, Filipino fishermen who served as the front liners despite the many confrontational concerns surrounding the shoals. It can be observed significantly that after 2016, increasing Chinese patrols and the so-called militia vessels appeared in the disputed islands. They are generally painted in white to look like “China” coast guards according to some reports. These militia vessels were spangled in the Scarborough Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal.
A portion of the transcript in reference to President Marcos Jr.’s 3rd SONA:
“In the face of challenges to our territorial sovereignty, we will assert our rights and interests in the same fair and pacific way that we have always done. Proper diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order remain the only acceptable means of settling disputes.
Peace and community-building will always be our clarion call, especially when the country serves as chair and the host of the ASEAN Summit in 2026.
We continuously try to find ways to de-escalate tensions in contested areas with our counterparts, without compromising our position and our principles. I know that our neighbors too are doing their very best to make this work.
The Philippines cannot yield. The Philippines cannot waver.
We are now more conscious as a people, and strategic in heightening our aerial and maritime domain awareness. We are continuing to strengthen our defense posture, both through developing self-reliance and through partnerships with like-minded states.”
The world witnessed on July 12, 2016 when the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea was favored by the Philippines. This was probably one of the most valued legacies of the Noynoy Aquino administration when the former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario represented the country to invalidate China’s claims before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2014. Earlier in July, Filipinos across the world including West Philippine Sea advocates, international community joined the Filipino people in its commemoration of the eighth year of the promulgation of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The Tribunal strongly rejected any People’s Republic of China or China mainland territorial or maritime claim to areas determined by the Tribunal to be part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. As such, the said decision issued in 2016 is final and legally binding on the People’s Republic of China and the Philippines in such a historical landmark decision.
The international community viewed the 2016 Arbitral Award as legally binding to all parties. Members of the global society aspire that with such a decision reflective of UNCLOS will be honored and respected especially when it comes to the freedoms of navigation and overflight to prevent regional tensions. Many western countries such as the USA and European Union firmly support efforts by ASEAN and China to finalize the code of conduct in the South China Sea (part of West Philippine Sea).
Advocates of West Philippines Sea (WPS) lauded Philippine President Marcos Jr. for his bold command as the commander-in-chief to stand strong in fighting for the legal rights and claims of the Philippines based on the arbitral award in 2016, reflective of UNCLOS and international law. As a spotlighted issue during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), Filipinos and advocates became more determined to fight for such a cause. President Marcos Jr. received a standing ovation when he stated such public pronouncement in front of the Filipino legislators which certainly sensed his policy direction at least in the next few years until 2028.
Some leaders of the opposition were surprised, they praised President Marcos Jr.’s strong words on such a contentious issue. Moreover, the dexterity of statements was reflective of the emotions and feelings of common Filipinos especially the frontliners who have experienced cruel and inhumane treatments from the Chinese coast guards and militias including the Filipino fishermen who, in many times, were prevented from entering such disputed areas.
As a peace advocate, highlighting diplomacy in resolving differences is something that needs to be demonstrated by all means. At some point, when diplomacy seems to be unvalued, tension arises. Diplomacy should be reciprocated from the high-level meetings and dialogues until those on the grounds while discussions are ongoing, not paradoxical to bilateral talks.
On the side of the Philippines, diplomatic channels do not fully reflect the People’s Republic of China’s actions on the ground. Bilateral consultations of the Philippines with the People’s Republic of China were significant. Diplomatic protests are elevated from time to time simply because it needs to defend its sovereign rights. Famous line of Victor Hugo intercedes into this juxtaposition and paradox, “an invasion of armies may be resisted but not an idea whose time has come.”
As a global citizen who believes in the rule of law, it is always my hope that one day, the People’s Republic of China would open its doors to the proximity of international law and order. Some analysts asserted that South China is a strategic site for global domination, I hope that claimants would view it as a hub where when peace is installed, prosperity integrates exponentially.
As I conclude, the Philippines’ leadership in the South China Sea will certainly pivot a new world order. If such action will mean a new dogma of culture, it will certainly be pivotal to the challenges of time sanctioned by diplomacy and courage, by social justice and equality, and more importantly, by greater international solidarity.
