The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Tracy Cabrera
“What is the worth of a nation if it cannot defend its dignity?”
This was the powerful question raised by Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jose Antonio “Ka Pep” Goitia as he expressed strong support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration that Philippine sovereignty is **“non-negotiable.”**
“President Marcos is absolutely right,” Goitia stressed. “Sovereignty is not a topic for debate. It is not a bargaining chip. It is not for sale. It is the lifeblood of the nation. And no country, no matter how powerful it thinks it is, has the right to trample on it.”
He emphasized that the fight for sovereignty is not abstract, but deeply tied to everyday Filipino life: “This is about the future of our children, the food that sustains our families, and the security of our seas. When the President says sovereignty is non-negotiable, he is declaring the will of an entire people who refuse to be bullied.”
Goitia also warned against any compromise. “The moment we allow even an inch to be taken, we lose not just territory but our honor as a people. The Philippines must stand firm, and under President Marcos, we are standing firm,” he declared.
As convenor of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, Goitia called on Filipinos to unite in defending the nation’s dignity.
“Our fishermen endure harassment at sea. Our soldiers risk their lives to guard our waters. Our leaders face international pressure. The least we can do is stand with them. Division is weakness, unity is strength, and sovereignty is everyone’s duty,” he urged.
Goitia also highlighted the significance of storytelling in the battle for truth, citing the award-winning documentary *Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea* as a “mirror of the struggles and courage of Filipino fishermen.”
“This film exposes the truth that China fears. It shows the faces of our fishermen, the struggles of their families, and the courage of a people who refuse to bow down. You cannot watch it and remain indifferent,” he said.
He further revealed that a more comprehensive documentary is underway, to be produced by the Blessed Movement under Chairman Herbert Martinez, which will “make crystal clear the Philippines’ victory under international law and UNCLOS.”