While there is existing legislation to defend the Philippines’ rights to the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, Senator Kiko Pangilinan underscored the need for continuous budgetary support for the country’s armed forces in the face of China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the region.
Pangilinan made this call during the interpellation of some senators on his proposed Senate Resolution No. 256 on the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s remarks against several public officials, including himself, who dared speak out against the harassment experienced by fishermen and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and military personnel and officials.
The veteran legislator, however, expressed hope that there would be no need for military confrontation despite the rising tensions caused by China in claiming almost the entire South China Sea.
“Kung mayroon tayong mas malawak na network at pondo para sa Coast Guard, mas lalong lalakas ang ating pag depensa sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone at ang West Philippine Sea.”
“Ang isa sa mga reklamo o isang daing ng ating mga mangingisda ay natatakot silang pumunta sa ating karagatan dahil sila ay tinataboy. Pero kung mayroon tayong mas malawak na network at pondo para sa Coast Guard, isang civilian agency para mapatrolyo ang ating mga karagatan, mas lalong lalakas ang ating pag depensa sa ating Exclusive Economic Zone at ang West Philippine Sea,” the seasoned lawmaker said in response to Senator JV Ejercito’s query on strengthening the country’s claims in the region.
“Again, it is a challenge for us in the Senate and the chairman of the Committee of Finance to help continue generating funding or providing funding for the strengthening and modernizing of our defense apparatus, Mr. President,” the senator added.
For 2026, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received a ₱40-billion allocation for its modernization program to support ongoing improvements in equipment, logistics, and training.
During the interpellation, Pangilinan reiterated that the Philippines has clarified and strengthened the legal basis of its maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea through Republic Act No. 12064, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act of 2024, which defines the country’s maritime zones and provides that the Philippines shall exercise all maritime rights and jurisdictions in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award (PCA Case No. 2013-19), international law, and other pertinent laws and regulations of the Philippines.
“The 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling has already invalidated China’s expansive nine-dash-line claim.”
He also emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling has already invalidated China’s expansive nine-dash-line claim, noting that senators must help enforce and defend the arbitral ruling.
Pangilinan, who has received the ire of the Chinese Embassy for his recent statements defending the West Philippine Sea, stressed the need for the Senate to adopt Senate Resolution No. 256, which signifies the institution’s support for the recent remarks by the Department of National Defense (DND) and the AFP.
The proposed resolution has crossed political party lines, receiving support from Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, and Senators Erwin Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Win Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, JV Ejercito, Bam Aquino, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, Camille Villar, and Mark Villar.
