Manila: Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida announced the formation of a maritime law unit intended to serve as a centralized repository of legal information and expertise on the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling and related maritime laws.
According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative aims to maintain and sustain the benefits derived from the arbitral award. Vida elaborated during a media interview that the DOJ now has a dedicated unit for legal services to bolster expertise on the matter, likening it to a maritime law center established within the department. This center will provide a consolidated source of knowledge and expertise on the subject.
The DOJ's Office of the Chief State Counsel, led by Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan, is tasked with handling international agreements, treaties, and the enforcement of the 2016 Arbitral Award, with Senior State Counsel Atty. Fretti Ganchoon serving as the lead maritime expert. Vida stressed the importance of informing Filipinos about these developments, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling that invalidated China's 'nine-dash line' claims over the South China Sea.
Vida stated that the decision confirmed the Philippines' initial stance and highlighted the nation's ongoing efforts to protect Filipino fisherfolk. He emphasized that the decision's significance extends beyond the current generation to future ones, necessitating continued advocacy for Filipino rights.
In a related message, Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe emphasized the collective responsibility required to safeguard the West Philippine Sea. She noted that no single institution bears the sole responsibility for its protection. The arbitral award affirmed the Philippines' sovereign rights over resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone and acknowledged the traditional fishing rights of Filipino fishermen at Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), ensuring these rights are safeguarded under international law. Berberabe added that the ruling provides legal certainty regarding the ownership of maritime resources by the Filipino people.
