ARTICLE II

Marcos: PH has 'no territorial conflict with China'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 24)— The Philippines has "no territorial conflict" with
China, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Saturday as he reiterated his stand in
asserting the country's sovereign rights.

"The position that the Philippines takes is that we have no territorial conflict with China," Marcos said
during his meeting with the Asia Society in New York City. "What we have [is] China claiming territory that
belongs to the Philippines."

"So this is the position we take with our American partners, we have promoted that position," he added.
"We have also made it very clear to our friends in Beijing that this is the way we feel about it."

The East Asian giant has repeatedly rejected the 2016 arbitral ruling that junked its sweeping claims in
the South China Sea.

The President repeated his earlier pledge to protect Philippine territory, but noted that his administration
will continue working with concerned parties to resolve issues.

"On our part, we will continue to work with China and other claimant states with the end in view of
resolving the issues involving the West Philippine Sea through diplomacy and through dialogue," he said.

Allies in US, ASEAN members

Marcos, however, admitted that the Philippines would not be able to match the military "strength" and
capability of China if conflict erupts.

But he said this is where the nations' allies would come into play.

"And that's why I think that ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is going to have to play a
stronger role in all of these discussions and in trying to again keep the peace...but continue to engage
China," Marcos stressed.

The chief executive also cited the country's partnership with the United States, underscoring its
importance in helping promote peace, security, and law-based order.

Marcos, who is in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly and other engagements, also
met with US President Joe Biden.

The two leaders tackled issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea and human rights, among others,
and vowed to maintain their countries' solid ties.
Marcos renews pledge to defend PH territory, manage conflicts through consensus

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reiterated his
commitment to protect Philippine territory from any foreign threat during his first State of the Nation
Address.

“I will not preside over any process that will abandon even one square inch of territory of the Republic of
the Philippines to any foreign power,” Marcos vowed in his speech at Batasang Pambansa on Monday.

The promise comes on the heels of the Defense department’s report last week that Chinese militia
vessels still linger in the West Philippine Sea despite the numerous diplomatic protests filed by the
previous administration against China.

“We will not waver,” the President said. “We will stand firm in our independent foreign policy, with the
national interest as our primordial guide.”

He added that the Philippines will continue to be a “friend to all, enemy to none,” and that his government
will work to resolve disputes with other nations.

“We will be a good neighbor, always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with an end of goal of
mutually beneficial outcomes,” Marcos said.

“If we differ, let us talk some more until we develop a consensus. After all, that is the Filipino way,” he
continued.

Like former President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos wants to hold bilateral talks with China on the sea dispute
and had said going to war with the Asian power is not an option.

Earlier this month, he met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malacañan
Palace, where both agreed to find a “friendly solution” to the maritime row.

China insists on its sweeping claims over the resource-rich South China Sea, which includes the West
Philippine Sea. This is despite a 2016 ruling of an arbitral tribunal in The Hague which recognized
Manila's sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone that Beijing contests.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, a strategic
waterway where trillions of dollars' worth of international trade pass through.
Philippines protests China’s creation of new districts in South China Sea

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 22) — The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over China’s creation of
new districts in what it claims to be its territory, Foreign Affairs Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. said Wednesday.

Locsin said in a tweet that the Chinese Embassy in Manila has received at 5:17 p.m. a diplomatic protest for
declaring parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province.

Aside from this, Locsin said that the Philippines also protested China’s alleged pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine
Navy ship in Philippine waters.

“[These] are both violations of international law and Philippine sovereignty,” Locsin said.

China created two new districts of Sansha City, the southernmost city of Hainan province, which cover features in the
disputed South China Sea, including the Philippine-claimed Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and Fiery Cross
Reef.

China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have overlapping claims over Spratly Islands. Fiery Cross
Reef, meanwhile, is claimed by China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. Taiwan, China and the Philippines all
claim Scarborough Shoal.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario urged the Philippine government to protest China’s creation of
the new districts.

President Rodrigo Duterte has nurtured ties with China, despite its continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea
— areas Manila claims and occupies in the South China Sea.

A 2016 ruling by a Hague-based arbitral tribunal backed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration voided China’s
sweeping claims over virtually the entire South China Sea based on so-called historical rights, but Beijing continues
to reject this decision.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has convinced Duterte to "shelve differences" to make way for joint oil and gas
exploration.
Marcos wants PH-China talks to go beyond the West Philippine Sea issue

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 5) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday
confirmed that he will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi soon “to find ways to work, to resolve
the conflicts we have.”

China’s top diplomat will arrive in Manila late Tuesday for a two-day visit. However, there is no schedule
yet for the meeting.

The newly minted president said that he does not want the talks between the two governments to revolve
only around the West Philippine Sea row.

“The agenda, I’m sure, will be to strengthen ties between China and the Philippines. And of course, to find
ways to work, to resolve the conflicts that we have,” said Marcos during a press briefing.

“One of the ways that I consistently suggested is that we have a relationship not only on one dimension,
‘yun lang West Philippine Sea. Let’s add to that. Let’s have cultural exchanges, educational exchanges,
and even military if that will be useful,” he added.

Marcos, who took his oath as the 17th president of the country on June 30, earlier said that he would talk
to China "consistently with a firm voice" about the two countries' territorial dispute in the West Philippine
Sea.

However, Marcos said that going to war against China was not option, echoing the stance of his
predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

An international arbitral tribunal in The Hague affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the disputed
waters of the South China Sea in 2016, but the Chinese government has consistently refused to
recognize the ruling.
SC junks petition to compel Duterte to defend West PH Sea vs China

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) — The Supreme Court has dismissed for "utter lack of merit" a
petition asking it to order President Rodrigo Duterte to defend the country's territory, including the West Philippine
Sea, against China's incursions.

Justice Rodil Zalameda said the petition filed by lawyer Romeo Esmero was junked because it named Duterte as the
sole respondent, but the President is immune from suit during his term. The decision was dated June 29 but
uploaded to the court's website only this week.

The petition said it was not enough to file diplomatic protests against Beijing, adding the "proper way" is for the
Philippines to go to the United Nations Security Council and sue China before the International Court of Justice.

The decision penned by Zalameda, and concurred in by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and 12 other justices,
said the petitioner failed to provide the constitutional provision that stipulates how the President should respond to
threat on the country's sovereign rights.

"For all his posturing, however, the petitioner has failed to point to any law that specifically required the President to
go to the UN or the ICJ to sue China for its incursions into our exclusive economic zone," the decision said.

It added, "Being the Head of State, he is free to use his own discretion in this matter, accountable only to his country
in his political character and to his own conscience."

Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision.

"Executive power, indeed, rests on the President, including the peaceful and stable conduct of foreign affairs. Matters
within the President's discretion cannot be compelled by mandamus," acting spokesperson Karlo Nograles said.

Duterte issued a strongly-worded statement during the ASEAN-China Summit on Monday. He said the Philippines
"abhors" the Nov. 16 incident involving Chinese Coast Guard vessels that blocked and fired water-cannons on two
Philippine boats bringing supplies to Ayungin Shoal. He asked China to exercise utmost self-restraint, saying the
incident does not speak well of the warm ties between the two countries.

"There is simply no other way out of this colossal problem but the rule of law," the President said.

The Philippines has so far filed 231 diplomatic protests against China during Duterte's presidency over Beijing's
incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
 ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

PRINCIPLES

Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all
government authority emanates from them.

Section 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally
accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace,
equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.

Section 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the
Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State
and the integrity of the national territory.

Section 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The Government may
call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under
conditions provided by law, to render personal, military or civil service.

Section 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion
of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

Section 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

STATE POLICIES

Section 7. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the
paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right
to self-determination.

Section 8. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom
from nuclear weapons in its territory.

Section 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and
independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate
social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

Section 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.

Section 11. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human
rights.

Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as
a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the
unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for
civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.

Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental
equality before the law of women and men.

Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.

Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development.

Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare.

Section 19. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled
by Filipinos.

Section 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private
enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments.

Section 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.

Section 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the
framework of national unity and development.

Section 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations
that promote the welfare of the nation.

Section 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.

Section 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.

Section 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit
political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Section 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and
effective measures against graft and corruption.

Section 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy
of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.

ARTICLE II