By Keziah G. Huelar

Hon. Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines with CPU Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees, Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona, Vice Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees, Atty. Peter Irving C. Corvera, CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles,   and Mr. JM Suelo, President, CPU Republic President.

With the aim of enlightening Centralians on significant issues affecting the country, the Central Philippine University administration, Board of Trustees and the CPU Student Republic invited Hon. Antonio T. Carpio, Senior Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines to talk about the West Philippine Sea sovereignty at the Rose Memorial Auditorium on March 8, 2019.

The opening prayer was led by CPU Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico.

Hon. Antonio T. Carpio  encouraged Centralians to be aware of national and international events in order to be aware of the issues that affect the country.

For the opening remarks, Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees, Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona thanked Justice Carpio not only for being passionate in educating the Filipino people about the issues being faced by the country but also for inspiring Filipinos to love the Philippines and defend its sovereignty. “Justice Carpio is a man competent enough to take on the issue on the West Philippine Sea. He is a man who took on the responsibility of educating us today for the purpose of protecting the next generation of Filipinos.”

Atty. Peter Irving C. Corvera, Vice Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees, introduced Hon. Antonio T. Carpio.

In his talk, Justice Carpio presented the economic and political significance of the South China Sea. “The South China Sea, to me, is the most important waterway in the world today. It is a very small sea which occupies 2.7% of the ocean’s surface but it is critical for world trade and for world security. $5.3 trillion in ship-borne goods traverse the South China Sea every year. Four leading exporting countries use the South China Sea for maritime and export trade.”

A Centralian asks a question during the open forum.

Justice Carpio goes on to discuss China’s historical claim on the West Philippine Sea. According to him, such rights have no bearing as the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea extinguished all historical rights of all states. Instead the UN convention gave each state an exclusive economic zone, also invalidating China’s nine-dash-line claim.

A growing need to education and enlighten Filipinos – Justice Carpio encouraged Centralians to help raise awareness on territorial disputes currently being faced the country by being updated on national and international events. He also highlighted the importance of being united as a nation as we uphold our claim on the West Philippine Sea. After his talk, Justice Carpio answered questions from CPU students.

It was then followed by a short message given by CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles. In his message, Dr. Robles, thanked Hon. Carpio for sharing his time and expertise. He also hopes that Centralians the lessons they learned from Hon. Carpio’s talk will help them make wise decisions in the future. “This [forum] shows that we need more things to learn to make wise decisions that will affect not only our future but the of the next generation’s future.”

After which Dr. Robles, Atty. Corvera and Atty. Bedona presented a token and plaque of appreciation to Justice Carpio.

The closing remarks was then given by CPU Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Florence P. Bogacia.