EP 25: Aquino, the president who stood up to China

Tributes have been pouring in since former President Benigno Aquino III died of a kidney disease on June 24. 

He was remembered for many things: a leader who stabilized the Philippine economy, his campaign against corruption, his quest for lasting peace in Mindanao.

But he’s also remembered for doing what was perhaps seen as unthinkable back in 2013 — he brought mighty China to court over rampant violations of philippine sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.

The landmark decision came three years later shortly after his term ended in 2016.

Wile his successor opted to set it aside, it became part of international law nd clarified maritime entitlements in these waters.

In the words of his foreign secretary, it showed that “right is might.” it gave China a bloody nose, a blackeye even, if you will, at least in the legal sense. 

In this episode, we’ll look back on President Aquino’s foreign policy, specifically how he sought to counter China’s growing influence and bully tactics in our own backyard showing that being small shouldn’t mean one should just fall.