MANILA - Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is elated over the United Nations-backed tribunal's unanimous decision on the Philippines' arbitration case against China, saying it affirms Manila's stance that "right is might."

Del Rosario on Tuesday thanked the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) based in The Hague for exercising wisdom and objectivity.

"The Award affirms the primacy of the rule of law based on UNCLOS, the constitution for the oceans. The Award further affirms our collective belief that right is might and that international law is the great equalizer among states," said del Rosario, who was foreign affairs chief when Manila lodged the case against Beijing in 2013.

"In truth, it exceeded my expectations," he added in an interview on ANC. "The decisions were unprecedented because we won almost all of our submissions."

The PCA, in issuing a "unanimous award" to the Philippines, said "there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the 'nine-dash line.'"

The arbitral tribunal also ruled that China, which has been conducting reclamation work in the disputed areas in the South China Sea, has violated the Philippines' sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.

READ: Hague court's full ruling on Philippines vs. China

Del Rosario said it is "imperative" that both countries accept the court's decision and start working together to resolve other issues peacefully.

"Our task now is to work on getting China to recognize that it is to their best interest to adhere to the rule of law," he told ANC.

"The Award provides a basis to further talks and cooperation to encompass all parties, including China. This has been proposed by President Rodrigo Duterte so that good faith discussions, based on the rule of law, can be commenced to prepare the way for negotiations and a lasting settlement among all parties with claims in the South China Sea," he said in his statement.

The former Cabinet secretary also thanked the other countries that supported the Philippines.

"We trust that these nations will continue their invaluable support to have all relevant countries respect the rule of law as handed down by the arbitral tribunal," he said.

China has refused to either accept or recognize the tribunal's decision, insisting it has territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the disputed sea.

READ: China rejects Hague tribunal judgement: Xinhua