National Symposium to Clarify Legal and Historical Truths on the West Philippine Sea on the 10th Year of the Arbitral Award
Manila, Philippines — March 18, 2026 — The WPS Foundation, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea (UP IMLOS) and the University of Asia and the Pacific School of Law, will convene the National Symposium on the Law of the Sea and the West Philippine Sea on March 30–31, 2026 in Manila.
The two-day symposium at Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas will bring together law school deans, legal scholars, educators, and influential thought leaders from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, alongside government officials and international Law of the Sea experts, to deepen understanding of international maritime law and foster informed public discourse on the West Philippine Sea.
The symposium will feature lectures by leading UNCLOS experts from the Philippines and abroad, including Prof. Natalie Klein (The University of New South Wales, Sydney), Prof. Clive Schofield (Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong), Dr. Christian Schultheiss (Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law), Prof. Jay Batongbacal, Prof. Ana Lourdes Cosme, and Prof. Neil Simon Silva (University of the Philippines). These sessions will cover key topics such as maritime zones – territorial sea, exclusive economic zones, continental shelf, high seas – dispute settlement mechanisms, and the legal foundations of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, equipping participants—particularly members of the legal community—with a strong and accurate baseline understanding of the law of the sea.
The program will also feature a special lecture by renowned historian Dr. Bill Hayton on the modern origins of China’s South China Sea claims, offering critical historical context to contemporary disputes.
Dr. Jeffrey Ordaniel, President and CEO of the WPS Foundation, underscored the importance of the initiative:
“It is essential for our opinion-makers—especially lawyers—to have a clear and accurate understanding of UNCLOS-mandated maritime zones and dispute settlement mechanisms, particularly as we mark the 10th year of the arbitral award. Disinformation and PRC propaganda thrive where there is a vacuum of knowledge. We must ensure that across the country, we have credible and informed voices who can counter false and misleading narratives about the West Philippine Sea.”
Dr. Ordaniel added:
“The symposium aims to help build a national consensus on the West Philippine Sea and the country’s broader China policy. At its core is the need for a more informed public discourse. By combining capacity-building lectures on UNCLOS with a town hall on how best to respond to China’s coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea, the symposium seeks to bridge knowledge and policy.”
Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela, Commander of the Philippine Coast Guard’s West Philippine Sea Transparency Group, emphasized:
“While strengthening our understanding of international law is essential, we must also actively expose false historical claims in the South China Sea. This is central to our transparency efforts—to counter propaganda and disinformation with facts. We strongly support this initiative by UP IMLOS, UA&P Law School, and the WPS Foundation, and I look forward to Dr. Bill Hayton’s lecture, whose work has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of maritime issues in Southeast Asia from a historical point of view.”
In line with its commitment to public education, the symposium will be livestreamed on YouTube, allowing the general public to participate remotely. Recordings of the lectures will also be uploaded online to serve as a long-term educational resource for students, professionals, and the broader public.
The event will also feature public panel discussions and a dialogue session aimed at advancing a national consensus on the West Philippine Sea and shaping a coherent and principled China policy.
Media Participation
Members of the media interested in covering the symposium are encouraged to register in advance through the following link: Media registraion
About the Symposium
The National Symposium on the Law of the Sea and the West Philippine Sea, to be held at the Ballroom of the Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas on March 30-31 is a major national initiative marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award, bringing together the Philippine legal community and international experts to promote legal literacy, counter disinformation, and strengthen rule-of-law–based approaches to maritime disputes.
For media inquiries, please contact:
WPS Foundation
Email: events@wps-ph.org
Website: www.wps-ph.org
