The Department of Justice (DoJ) has established a dedicated maritime law unit to consolidate legal expertise on maritime issues and help sustain the Philippines' gains from the landmark 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling.
Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said the unit, which operates under the DoJ's Legal Services, would serve as the department's central repository of expertise on maritime law.
The unit aims to maintain and sustain the gains from the arbitral award, which affirmed the Philippines' position in protecting Filipino fisherfolk and upheld the country's maritime rights in the disputed waters.
The 2016 arbitral award, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, ruled that China's expansive "nine-dash line" claim in the South China Sea had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Despite China's rejection of the ruling, the Philippines has repeatedly cited the award in asserting its maritime rights in the disputed waters.
Justice Secretary Vida stressed that the arbitral ruling continues to guide the country's approach to maritime disputes, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law over engaging in conflict.
The Philippine government's decision to abide by the arbitral award has significant implications for future generations, as it sets a precedent for the country's commitment to the rule of law in resolving maritime disputes.
