Lawmakers from the House “Young Guns” bloc have authored House Bill No. 10587, titled the West Philippine Sea Education Act, to establish a nationwide educational program aimed at countering foreign disinformation and deepening public knowledge regarding the country’s maritime rights.
The proposed measure was introduced by Representatives Paolo Ortega (La Union 1st District), Jay Khonghun (Zambales 1st District), Rodge Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), Zia Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur 1st District), and Ernix Dionisio (Manila 1st District).
Under the bill, age-appropriate lessons on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) will be integrated into both basic and higher education curricula to provide students with a factual foundation regarding national territory.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, August 6, the authors stressed the necessity of educating young citizens to protect national sovereignty, declaring:
“Filipino students must learn the facts—that we are advocating for a rules-based international order, and that the [WPS] is rightfully ours.”
The bloc emphasized the imperative of patriotism, particularly among government leaders, stating:
“Naniniwala kami na dapat lahat ng Pilipino—lalong lalo na ang mga halal ng bayan—ay hindi dapat maging traydor. Dapat tayo ay manindigan kung ano ang sa atin.”
To prevent future generations from being misled by false narratives, the lawmakers highlighted the role of early academic instruction, adding:
“Para hindi lumaki na traydor sa bayan, dapat simulan natin ngayon sa ating mga paaralan ang pagtuturo ng katotohanan tungkol sa [WPS].”
House Bill No. 10587 aims to raise public awareness of Philippine maritime entitlements guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act No. 12064 (the Philippine Maritime Zones Act), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s expansive claims.
Addressing the rise of online misinformation, the lawmakers noted:
“Our young people are vulnerable to fake news and propaganda flooding social media. We have a duty to teach them the truth so they grow up armed with accurate, evidence-based knowledge of our sovereign rights and entitlements.”
They also cited ongoing territorial disputes as a primary driver behind the urgency of the legislation, expressing concern over domestic political rhetoric:
“It is very unfortunate that even some public officials are openly spreading the pro-China narrative and defending them while they water-cannon our men and the fisherfolk. This cannot continue.”
The authors did not explicitly name the officials referenced in their statement.
The bill mandates the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to design standardized, regularly updated instructional modules in coordination with key government entities, including the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), the National Security Council (NSC), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Maritime Council, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Additionally, the measure provides for professional teacher training, nationwide public awareness initiatives, and funding support for academic research on maritime security, marine ecosystems, sovereign claims, and coastal community welfare.
All educational content must remain strictly nonpartisan, evidence-based, aligned with official government maps and policies, and grounded in international principles regarding the peaceful resolution of disputes.