The Philippines must take the lead in ensuring that the proposed South China Sea Code of Conduct upholds the 2016 Arbitral Award as its legal foundation, rather than allowing the landmark ruling to become a subject of negotiation.

This was the call of Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit following a high-level conference marking the 10th anniversary of the ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

Manhit said any regional agreement must reinforce the Philippines' legal victory rather than weaken it.

"If today leaves us with one piece of unfinished business, it is this: the Award must be reflected in the ongoing negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea," he said.

"Our negotiators must have a clear mandate: Any Code of Conduct must uphold the Arbitral Award as the legal baseline, not treat it as a point for negotiation," he added.

His remarks came as the Philippines, serving as ASEAN chair for 2026, pushes to conclude a substantive and legally binding South China Sea Code of Conduct this year.

"Advancing these negotiations is important. But rushing into an agreement that undermines international law and disregards the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award would compromise the sovereign rights and maritime entitlements of states, and weaken the very peace and stability the Code of Conduct is meant to protect," Manhit said.

He also recalled the position of the late Stratbase Institute chairman and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, who said in 2017 that the arbitral ruling "should be an integral part of the Code of Conduct framework being finalized and the eventual Code of Conduct once it is concluded. After all, our region cannot promote the rule of law while ignoring the law as it stands."

Del Rosario initiated the Philippines' arbitration case against China before The Hague in 2013, leading to the landmark 2016 ruling that also prompted the country to modernize its armed forces and strengthen military and economic partnerships with like-minded nations.

"Ten years ago, the Philippines proved to the world that the law can hold against power. The next 10 years will prove something closer to home: whether we can hold what we won—for the people of Kalayaan, and for every Filipino who will inherit the West Philippine Sea," Manhit said.

He described the arbitral award as "not a ceremonial anniversary to be admired from a distance—it is a living mandate, one we carry as a matter of sovereign duty, national responsibility, and obligation to future generations, together with the friends and allies who share our commitment to international law and a rules-based regional order."

Manhit also echoed the Armed Forces of the Philippines' call for more local government units to declare July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

The July 10 forum, led by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., focused on how the Philippines can better operationalize its legal victory amid China's continued actions in the West Philippine Sea.

The event also drew one of the year's largest gatherings of diplomats, with representatives from at least 28 countries, including 25 ambassadors from the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

In his keynote address, Teodoro urged Filipinos to treat the West Philippine Sea as a matter of national interest rather than partisan politics, stressing that the country's sovereign rights and territorial integrity should never be subject to political division.

He described the arbitral award as "not only an award for the Philippines, but an award for the world," and called on Filipinos to unite in defending the country's sovereignty.

Teodoro said the ruling has become the foundation of the country's broader effort to protect its maritime rights and has strengthened international support for the Philippines.

"It has formed the basis of a national effort to be aware of its entitlements, to be aware of the importance of our maritime rights, not only for us but for future generations of Filipinos," he said.

He added that the ruling had also transformed the country's defense posture and encouraged closer cooperation with allies and partners.

Brawner echoed the call, saying the AFP's shift to a multi-domain territorial defense posture aims to ensure that future generations of Filipinos inherit the freedom to determine their own future as a sovereign nation.

The AFP chief also honored soldiers and sailors stationed on the front lines, particularly those aboard BRP Sierra Madre, as well as personnel who have faced water cannon attacks and ramming incidents involving Chinese vessels.

"They remain disciplined and they remained professional, and that professionalism is one of the strongest forms of deterrence we possess. It demonstrates to the world that the Philippines will defend its sovereign rights firmly but responsibly—with courage but without recklessness, with resolve but always in pursuit of peace," Brawner said.