“The decision to pursue arbitration was not an easy one to make… yet until the end, we stood our ground.” – Former President Benigno S. Aquino III, July 13, 2016
Supporters gathered Sunday at the tomb of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to mark the 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ landmark arbitral victory in the West Philippine Sea.
Aquino, remembered as the chief architect of the arbitration case filed against China in 2013, steered the nation toward a rules-based approach that culminated in the historic July 12, 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
The tribunal invalidated China’s sweeping “nine-dash line” claim and affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone.
The commemoration began with a Holy Mass led by Fr. Joseph Patrick Echiverria, who once served fishing communities in Palawan directly affected by China’s incursions. A tribute program followed, organized by the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Liberal Party of the Philippines.
Liberal Party President Erin Tañada urged lawmakers to declare July 12 a national day of reflection: “We asserted our rights and we won it, just like we did in 1986 when we won EDSA.
We will continue to remember this and continue to tell our story to our children and the next generation.”
Fisherfolk leader Restituto “Ka Resty” del Rosario expressed gratitude to Aquino for defending maritime rights: “Maraming salamat kay Pangulong PNoy. Maraming salamat sa mga Pilipinong tumatayo na ang West Philippine Sea ay sa atin.”
He recalled the 2019 Lakad Panawagan, when fishermen marched 135 kilometers to assert their right to fish freely in Philippine waters.
NCAF Executive Director Kiko Aquino Dee honored his uncle’s legacy, noting that Aquino viewed the arbitral ruling not only as a Philippine triumph but as a victory for the international community: “It showed that we lived under a rules-based order… that we don’t have to resort to violence.”
The ceremony concluded with the offering of a yellow wreath at Aquino’s tomb, as participants sang Bayan Ko while waving Philippine and yellow flags.
Facing a military imbalance against China, Aquino chose diplomacy and international law over confrontation.
A decade later, his leadership continues to remind Filipinos that even smaller nations can defend their rights through principle, persistence, and adherence to the rule of law.
