President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., accompanied by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and other Philippine officials, listens intently to the discussions during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Laos Thursday (Oct. 10, 2024). Among others, President Marcos declared support for the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement to make it more accessible and facilitate trade for businesses, particularly micro, small and medium-scale enterprises.
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday lauded President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his resolute advocacy for respect of international law and the rules-based order in the region to promote peace, stability and prosperity for all stakeholders.
He underscored how President Marcos’ proactive diplomacy, focusing the spotlight on the West Philippine Sea situation, during the ASEAN Summit and related summits with the bloc’s dialogue partners, as well as in bilateral meetings with other heads of state in Laos, has garnered international attention and support.
Speaker Romualdez emphasized the significance of President Marcos’ stance, which reinforces the Philippines’ commitment to upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as essential to regional peace and stability.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s firm and resolute leadership in advocating for a rules-based international order in the South China Sea deserves our commendation,” said Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
“His clear and principled stand during the ASEAN Summits and his bilateral discussions with other world leaders highlights the Philippines’ unwavering dedication to safeguarding our territorial integrity and promoting peace in the region,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He pointed out that President Marcos’ unwavering defense of Philippine interests in the West Philippine Sea at the ASEAN Summit has practical and vital significance to the lives of ordinary Filipinos.
“In simple words it means the President wants to ensure our fishermen could catch fish in waters that are rightfully ours without fear from harassment or violent attacks, that our people for generations to come can secure food from the bounty of the sea,” he said.
“It was meant to secure for our nation, our people and our posterity the benefits of the rich mineral and potential oil deposits and other resources in our Exclusive Economic Zone which international law has granted us the right to explore, manage, and exploit.”
He noted that in the past few days, President Marcos took every opportunity to raise the issue of respect for international law and restraint not only in the ASEAN Summit proper but in the bloc’s meeting with dialogue partners such as China, South Korea, Japan, Canada, India and Australia.
The issue of the South China Sea is also expected to be tackled in the ASEAN-US Summit and ASEAN-UN Summits on the last day of the meeting of the ASEAN head of states.
By elevating the issue of maritime disputes within the framework of international law and emphasizing the importance of peaceful dialogue, Romualdez said the President has strengthened the Philippines’ position and rallied ASEAN and other partners to join in efforts for a peaceful and cooperative Southeast Asia.
He cited the “ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific for the Future-Ready ASEAN and ASEAN-Centered Regional Architecture” adopted on Oct. 9.
Among others, the leaders of the bloc declared to work together to “maintain and promote stability in the maritime sphere and enhance maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia, including maritime security, maritime safety….through relevant ASEAN-led mechanisms, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.”
“President Marcos’ diplomatic efforts in Laos resonate deeply with our shared goal of regional security. His leadership reinforces our pursuit of peace, security, and cooperation among nations, especially in these times of heightened tensions in the South China Sea,” Romualdez added.
The Speaker further expressed confidence that President Marcos’ diplomatic engagements will lead to more fruitful partnerships, not only with ASEAN member-states but also with the broader international community.
President Marcos is expected to arrive in the country Friday night after his successful participation in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Laos.
