The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed its support to a legislative move that seeks to institutionalize the use of the term "West Philippine Sea" to pertain to the air space, seabed, and subsoil on the western side of the Philippine archipelago.
DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said that while the "West Philippine Sea" was already defined in 2012 United Nations Administrative Order No. 29, DFA still recognizes what the legislation can do in terms of clarity and institution building.
"We look forward to supporting the process should we be invited to do so," Daza told reporters in a press conference.
She made the remark after Senator Francis Tolentino filed Senate Bill 405 to "institutionalize" the West Philippine Sea by formalizing the designation of the said nomenclature as part of the existing laws of the land.
According to Tolentino, the bill is in response to the archipelagic doctrine embodied under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in which the Philippines is granted a territorial sea of up to 12 nautical miles, a contiguous zone of up to 24 nautical miles, and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of up to 200 nautical miles where the WPS is located.
The agency spokesperson also said DFA would support any process that would strengthen the country's case in the West Philippine Seas and would not undermine the arbitral ruling award, which turned in favor of the Philippines.
DFA would also support efforts that are pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS).
"It's something that can actually be considered and supported," she added.