Mare Liberum: Aquino, Duterte, and The Philippines' Evolving Lawfare Strategy in the South China Sea. Issue 2 (23rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heydarian, Richard Javad
• Is Part Of: Asian politics & policy. Volume 10:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 283
• Page End: 299
• Publication Date: 2018-04-23
• Subjects: arbitration -- China -- Duterte -- Grotius -- South China Sea -- UNCLOS; 关键词：海洋法公约 -- 仲裁 -- 格劳秀斯 -- 杜特尔特 -- 南海 -- 中国; Palabras clave: CDM -- arbitraje -- Grotius -- Duterte -- Mar del Sur de China -- China; Asia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Asia -- Relations -- Periodicals; Asia -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; 320.95
• DOI: 10.1111/aspp.12392
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1943-0779

Abstract

Abstract : The article analyzes the rationale, context, and implications of the Philippines' landmark arbitration case in the South China Sea. Specifically, it evaluates four important and inter‐related issues: (i) the centrality of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to the peaceful management and, if possible, resolution of the South China Sea disputes; (ii) political and strategic factors, which convinced the Aquino administration to embark on a risky and uncertain legal warfare (lawfare) strategy against Beijing, which, in turn, vehemently opposed any third party arbitration vis‐à‐vis maritime and territorial disputes; (iii) the merits, outcome, and strategic implications of the Southeast Asian country's arbitration case on the broader geopolitical landscape in the region; and lastly, the divergent South China Sea strategy of the Duterte administration, which decided to soft‐pedal and sublimate the arbitral tribunal award in favor of a dialogue‐based resolution of the disputes.