The arbitration proceedings that the Philippines has initiated before the United Nations (UN) against China to nullify the latter's "excessive" claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) will not stop despite Beijing's rejection of the legal action, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). However, the enforcement of any decision of the UN arbitral tribunal, three or four years down the road, will be "another question", said DFA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez. Article 9 of Unclos' Annex VII which stipulates the mechanics of arbitration, states that the "absence of a party or failure of a party to defend its case shall not constitute a bar to the proceedings."

Quismundo, T., & Ubac, M. L. (2013, February 21). PH to press UN case on disputed sea despite China rejection. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A3.