Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Legarda stresses PH claim on disputed West PH Sea through Maritime Zones Act
Philippines
National
Legarda stresses PH claim on disputed West PH Sea through Maritime Zones Act
Legarda stresses PH claim on disputed West PH Sea through Maritime Zones Act
Published Jul 28, 2023 04:23 am
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda has sought the maintenance of reciprocity and mutual respect in upholding the rights of the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) disputes as constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) seven years ago.
Sen. Loren Legarda (Senate PRIB Photo)
Legarda, thus, pushed for the creation of a comprehensive legal structure conforming to the UNCLOS that reflects the essence of a rules-based system for maritime governance by filing Senate Bill 1649, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (PMZA). The PMZA, according to Legarda, would be an essential tool that would help implement the UN arbitral ruling and incorporate the tribunal's decision into legislation. The UN Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) had rejected China’s ‘’nine-dash-line’’ claim over vast areas of the South China and ruled in favor of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claim of the Philippines. China, however, rejects the PCA ruling. A reaffirmation of the Philippines’ claim of sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through a resolution would solidify and rally international support against China’s political and military incursions into Philippine territory, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said. Zubiri stressed this during his sponsorship speech last July 26 of a Senate resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to sponsor a resolution before the UN calling on China to stop the harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS. “Alongside protecting our own, it is equally important to ensure legal stability in maritime zones. We must unequivocally demarcate our maritime boundaries, and we must do this by law," Legarda stated in her speech during the Forum Commemorating the Anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Ruling. She noted the role of Congress in translating the zones provided by UNCLOS into specifically defined and bounded areas through domestic legislation. She also specified that the government should clearly define the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which could help solidify sovereignty and provide a legal basis for the country to control maritime territories and resources effectively. "We also want to establish, as a basic foundation, the maritime zones within which our blue economy will be managed, nurtured, and made to prosper," Legarda said. Filed as SB 1993, the Blue Economy Act, principally authored by Legarda, is among the priority legislations pronounced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). "A strong maritime governance framework will not only protect our sovereignty, unlock economic opportunities, and protect marine ecosystems; it will also enhance climate resilience, promote sustainable fisheries, support maritime research and development, strengthen maritime security institutions, strengthen coastal resilience, and empower coastal communities," Legarda conveyed. "A solid governance framework and economic valuation will ensure that our coastal communities can secure tenure over their traditional fishing grounds and enable them to participate in decision-making processes, access financial resources, and benefit from the sustainable use of marine resources," she added. Moreover, the four-term senator urged Filipinos to reflect on the UNCLOS arbitral ruling since this validates the Philippines' claim and allows the government to safeguard the country's maritime assets and ecosystem. ”We need to make sure this victory is not merely symbolic but one that provides tangible benefits for our people. Let us seize this opportunity to circle the wagons, engage our legal system, our economy, and our citizenry to prevent further damage and incursions and usher in legal stability," Legarda added.
Sen. Loren Legarda (Senate PRIB Photo)
Legarda, thus, pushed for the creation of a comprehensive legal structure conforming to the UNCLOS that reflects the essence of a rules-based system for maritime governance by filing Senate Bill 1649, or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (PMZA). The PMZA, according to Legarda, would be an essential tool that would help implement the UN arbitral ruling and incorporate the tribunal's decision into legislation. The UN Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) had rejected China’s ‘’nine-dash-line’’ claim over vast areas of the South China and ruled in favor of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claim of the Philippines. China, however, rejects the PCA ruling. A reaffirmation of the Philippines’ claim of sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in the South China Sea before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through a resolution would solidify and rally international support against China’s political and military incursions into Philippine territory, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said. Zubiri stressed this during his sponsorship speech last July 26 of a Senate resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to sponsor a resolution before the UN calling on China to stop the harassment of Philippine vessels in the WPS. “Alongside protecting our own, it is equally important to ensure legal stability in maritime zones. We must unequivocally demarcate our maritime boundaries, and we must do this by law," Legarda stated in her speech during the Forum Commemorating the Anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Ruling. She noted the role of Congress in translating the zones provided by UNCLOS into specifically defined and bounded areas through domestic legislation. She also specified that the government should clearly define the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which could help solidify sovereignty and provide a legal basis for the country to control maritime territories and resources effectively. "We also want to establish, as a basic foundation, the maritime zones within which our blue economy will be managed, nurtured, and made to prosper," Legarda said. Filed as SB 1993, the Blue Economy Act, principally authored by Legarda, is among the priority legislations pronounced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). "A strong maritime governance framework will not only protect our sovereignty, unlock economic opportunities, and protect marine ecosystems; it will also enhance climate resilience, promote sustainable fisheries, support maritime research and development, strengthen maritime security institutions, strengthen coastal resilience, and empower coastal communities," Legarda conveyed. "A solid governance framework and economic valuation will ensure that our coastal communities can secure tenure over their traditional fishing grounds and enable them to participate in decision-making processes, access financial resources, and benefit from the sustainable use of marine resources," she added. Moreover, the four-term senator urged Filipinos to reflect on the UNCLOS arbitral ruling since this validates the Philippines' claim and allows the government to safeguard the country's maritime assets and ecosystem. ”We need to make sure this victory is not merely symbolic but one that provides tangible benefits for our people. Let us seize this opportunity to circle the wagons, engage our legal system, our economy, and our citizenry to prevent further damage and incursions and usher in legal stability," Legarda added.