The Noynoy administration by fiat has called a part of the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea . All government agencies like PAGASA and the blurbs have followed suit. However I do not agree that the President had to make the name change at this time. It will just inflame the geopolitical situation with China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines having claims overlapping or otherwise in the possibly oil rich area. China has the most powerful military in the region and has warned all countries to desist in conducting oil exploration work. The Philippines has the weakest military in the region with very little capacity for external defence. China has been putting markers to claim its territory so close to Palawan and definitely within the country's EEZ.China bases its claim on historical grounds for the sea was a vital trade artery. It is still today. But if we look at the origin of the sea's name, it was named by European traders first by the Port...
"It is surely harmful to souls to make it a heresy to believe what is proved" - Galileo