Carpio: PH may delay arbitration cases vs China due to ASEAN chairmanship

Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio stated that the Philippines might delay filing new arbitration cases against China due to its upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

Carpio believes the Philippine government may be hesitant to file cases concerning its Extended Continental Shelf or China's harassment of Filipino fishermen to avoid upsetting other ASEAN member states.

He urged the government to strengthen the Philippines' claims and expressed hope that the administration would initiate a second arbitration case, potentially regarding the extended continental shelf and China's refusal to allow Filipino fishermen to fish in the Scarborough Shoal.

The 2016 arbitral ruling established Scarborough Shoal as a traditional fishing ground accessible to all claimants.

Carpio noted that government agencies seem cautious, suggesting a policy to avoid actions that could disrupt participants during the ASEAN Summit, and indicated that a decision might be made after the summit.

The Philippines is also working on a code of conduct to manage tensions in the South China Sea as it prepares to host ASEAN next year.