The Government is confident that it will win the case against China before the International Tribunal on the Laws of the Sea (Itlos) as the Philippines prepares for another legal bout, this time touching on the merits of the case. The international body effectively rejected China's strongest argument that the tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague has no right to hear the Philippines' case. Lacierda said the Philippine lawyers are well prepared and are all confident that the country's position will be given its due recognition.

Sy Egco, J. M. (2015, November 23). Philippines confident of winning sea case. The Manila Times, p. A2.