Actress and television personality Kris Aquino expressed admiration for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his administration’s defense of the West Philippine Sea and its decision to retain the name of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
During her appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda on October 29, 2026, Aquino acknowledged the Marcos administration’s respect for her family’s legacy despite their political history.
“They’ve been very respectful. Hindi ginustong tanggalin na Ninoy Aquino International Airport,” Aquino said.
NAIA was named in honor of her father, former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whose assassination in 1983 became a defining moment in Philippine political history.
Aquino also commended Marcos for his position on the West Philippine Sea, describing his efforts to defend the country’s maritime rights as a continuation of the legacy of her late brother, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
“Siguro ang pinakahumanga ako that the President has fought for the West Philippine Sea. Siguro kasi for me that’s Noy’s legacy, and the fact that he is fighting for that as well, they’re fighting for the Philippines,” she said.
During the administration of former President Aquino, the Philippines initiated arbitration proceedings against China in 2013 to challenge Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.
The proceedings resulted in a landmark arbitral ruling in July 2016 that rejected China’s claims to historic rights within its nine-dash line insofar as they exceeded the maritime entitlements permitted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Under the Marcos administration, the Philippines has continued asserting its maritime rights in the West Philippine Sea through diplomatic protests, maritime patrols, and stronger defense cooperation with international partners.
Aquino’s remarks highlighted her appreciation for the administration’s handling of two issues closely associated with her family’s history: preserving the name of the country’s main international airport and defending Philippine maritime interests.
Her statements also drew attention to the continuity of the country’s position on the West Philippine Sea across administrations despite longstanding political differences.