A think tank in a statement on Thursday said the Philippines “should leverage on its chairmanship of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) this year to put on the spotlight Southeast Asia’s most pressing political and security challenges, including the territorial disputes involving multiple parties.” In a press conference led by Mrs. Arroyo at the House of Representatives, her lawyer, former justice secretary and Solicitor-General Estelito P. Mendoza cited as a "principal achievement" of the Arroyo administration the passage of Republic Act 9522 defining the base lines of the Philippine archipelago that served as a framework for international law on the seas. He added that during the Arroyo administration, there was "peace" in the West Philippine Sea, and a "good" example of it was a Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking between the Philippines, China, and Vietnam.

de Guzman, L. E. P., & Javil, R. F. (2017, April 21-22). PHL should raise sea row as ASEAN chair - think tank. Business World, p. S1/11.