Press Release - Speech of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada at the 31st annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 31)

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, good morning. I stand before you today with a profound sense of responsibility and a shared commitment to addressing the critical challenges that confront our region.

A man of letters who goes by the name Albert Einstein once said that "peace cannot be kept by force; it can be achieved by understanding." And I couldn't agree more.

As representatives of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, we bear the weighty task of fostering cooperation, dialogue, and concerted action to promote regional peace and stability.

The Asia Pacific region, with its diverse cultures, histories, and economic landscapes, stands at a crucial juncture in history. The complex geopolitical dynamics and emerging global challenges necessitate a united and resolute response from our nations.

This annual gathering is a testament to the power of dialogue and collaboration, and it is within this spirit that I wish that the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum addresses a matter of grave concern that requires our collective attention.

As representatives of our respective governments, it is incumbent upon us to raise serious concerns over recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, which refers to parts of the South China Sea over which the Philippines has sovereign rights, and jurisdictions, as they have the potential to undermine the peace and stability that our nations have collectively worked towards over the years.

It is in our purview as representatives of the people to address this issue with the utmost diplomatic care and urgency.

Let us be clear - the concerns we express are not intended to assign blame or take sides. Instead, they reflect our shared commitment to upholding a rules-based international order. It is through these rules that we can navigate the complexities of competing claims and interests in a manner that fosters understanding and preserves regional stability.

Today, I present a call to action to harness our collective strengths, wisdom, and diplomatic acumen in working collaboratively for the greater good of over 4.6 billion people in our region.

First and foremost, let us acknowledge the