In July 2016, the Hague based Permanent Court of Arbitration announced its verdict on the South China Sea dispute ruling in favor of the Philippines over China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It has been sixteen months and the country has yet to experience the impact of its victory. This came as no surprise to Alberto A. Encomienda, Executive Director of balikBalangay, Inc. - a nongovernmental organization which advocates oceans law and policy, and protection. "Even if China agree to arbitration, there is no supranational authority that can enforce it," states the former ambassador to Greece, Malaysia, and Singapore who also served head of the then Center for Maritime and Ocean Affairs, under the office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Nadal, N. (2017, November 17). Against the tide: an alternative narrative to the South China Sea dispute. Manila Bulletin, p. 2.