Pimentel files Senate resolution commending former President Aquino, other patriotic Filipinos in the South China Sea arbitration case

Incoming Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today filed a Senate resolution commending former President Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III and other patriotic Filipinos for winning the recent South China Sea arbitration case against China.

Pimentel filed Senate Resolution No. 16 to also commend former Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert F. Del Rosario, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza and then Solicitor General Florin T. Hilbay for their major role in helping out win the case.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, The Netherlands voided through a unanimous vote on July 12, 2016 China's "nine-dash line" claim in the South China Sea, saying it has no basis in international law.

The Philippines, under the leadership of then President Aquino, had brought a case for compulsory arbitration under the auspices of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) against China precisely to question China's "nine-dash line" claim in the South China Sea.

Pimentel said the maritime dispute has brought tension in the area because Filipino fishermen have been prevented by China from fishing in their traditional fishing grounds.

He said it also deprived the Philippines of almost eighty percent of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending into that area which serves as a major international trading route and believed to contain rich deposits of oil and natural gas.

Pimentel said the favourable ruling in the arbitration case will greatly benefit the entire Filipino nation, specifically the fisher folk, as well as future generations of Filipinos.

He said the landmark decision would not have been possible without the vision, foresight, diligence, and courage of then President Aquino who made the critical decision to file the case and other patriotic Filipinos.

Pimentel said it is just fitting and right that the Philippine Senate should recognize the heroic efforts made by those involved in achieving the historic legal victory over areas in the West Philippine Sea.

He said the victory underscores not only the importance of arbitration as a peaceful, open, and friendly mechanism to resolve international disputes but also the Philippines's commitment to be a responsible and law-abiding member of the international community.