Akbayan eyes West PH Sea bloc in House
Reelected Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña on Thursday vowed to mount a West Philippine Sea (WPS) bloc in the House of Representatives to boost efforts in defending the country's sovereign territorial rights, which have come under threat from China's aggressions.
'The WPS bloc in Congress will be a bloc of champions of sovereignty, those who firmly believe that WPS is ours. This bloc of lawmakers believe that we should be harnessing our resources, and are against any encroachment by China," Cendaña said in a press conference ahead of the third Atin Ito coalition civilian mission featuring a concert near the Pag-asa Island on May 26 to 30, 2025.
Likewise, Cendaña said Akbayan will push for a bill on the mandatory teaching of West Philippine Sea history and geography in schools and declaring July 12 of every year as West Philippine Sea Victory Day.
He added his group would also pitch for the establishment of a West Philippine Sea Institute mandated to conduct research, protect marine resources, and develop educational programs to raise public awareness and national pride.
It was on July 12, 2016 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."
The decision also ruled that the Ayungin Shoal, the Spratly Islands, Panganiban or Mischief Reef, and Recto or Reed Bank are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Further, the Hague court outlawed Chinese aggression in the Philippines' EEZ by stating that Scarborough Shoal, a rich fish resource, is a common fishing ground.
'We hope that this bloc will also be the chariot for the two important legislatures that I've mentioned. West Philippine Sea Victory Day and the establishment of the West Philippine Sea Institute. So, issue-based itong block na ito,' Cendaña, the second nominee of Akbayan party-list, said.
'We will use facts and education to counter the lies, propaganda, and fake news being peddled by the Chinese government and its agents in the country,' added Akbayan first nominee Chel Diokno.
China has never recognized the Hague court ruling to this day and is undeterred in deploying aggression against Philippine vessels and personnel, including firing water cannons and ramming Filipino-manned coastguard and fishing vessels.
On May 22, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) reported an aggressive interference by the China Coast Guard against two Philippine civilian vessels conducting a routine marine scientific research mission in the vicinity of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) which lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the WPS.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
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