The South China Sea is a vast body of water whose openness and shared use must be for the benefit not just of any one nation, but of all. It is called a global commons because of the opportunities, risks, and stakes that many countries around it share. Current events show that this global commons is also a venue where the rule of law and basic decency are being tested. As one of the nations with high stakes in the South China Sea, the Philippines must have a very clear idea of how it could best meet these challenges, protect its own interests, and be a good regional and global citizen that puts the rule of law above all else.

Manhit, V. A. C. (2025, November 5). A ‘global commons’: The South China Sea as a zone of peace, stability, and inclusive prosperity. BusinessWorld, p. S1/7.