The country should not enter into a South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) that weakens the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling as doing so would erode the country's sovereign rights and undermine international law, according to an independent think tank. This was the call made by Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit on Friday, July 10, during a forum that marked the 10th anniversary of the arbitral award in Makati City. The forum carried the theme, “A Decade of the Arbitral Award: Credible Deterrence in Defense of the West Philippine Sea.”

Sadongdong, M. (2026, July 12). Gov't warned against South China Sea deal that weakens arbitral award. Tempo, p. 12.