10 October 2013 - President Benigno S. Aquino III today emphasized that adherence to the rule of law will maximize opportunities for growth and development in a stable and secure environment in the region.
"Let us bear in mind that the law is an expression of our collective need to be bound by duties and obligations. Equal application of the law strengthens the ties that bind us," President Aquino told the 8th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam.
The President explained that there will be order in a community of nations if there is predictability in the conduct of behavior of states, stressing that order will lead to stability, and stability will lead to durable peace and prosperity for all.
"This is the very motivation behind the Philippines' decision to pursue a two-track complementary approach to disputes in the sea known by many names, an approach that is both peaceful and rule-based," the President said.
"To manage tensions, we are advocating the conclusion of a legally-binding Code of Conduct as soon as possible. To resolve maritime disputes, we are pursuing arbitration. The Philippines views arbitration as an internationally recognized form of peaceful settlement of maritime disputes. In addition to clarifying entitlements and the corresponding obligations, arbitration promotes the rule of law and redounds to the benefit of all parties," the President explained.
EAS is composed of the 10 ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States. END.