CEBU CITY – Sen. Francis "Tol" Tolentino welcomed the signing into law of the Republic Act 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones (PMZ) Act.
Tolentino said the law, which was signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Nov. 8, bolstered the Philippines' rights to explore and exploit natural resources in the Philippine Sea.
“Binigyan natin ng titulo ang dagat natin para sa Pilipinas. Wala tayong dating ganun,” Tolentino said on Friday, Nov. 22.
SEN. Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino poses for a groufie with students and teachers in one of the stops of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo in Minglanilla town, Cebu on Friday, Nov. 22. (Photo via Calvin D. Cordova)
The senator was in Cebu to join the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, the flagship tourism program of the Cebu provincial government.
Tolentino shrugged off China's repeated criticisms of the newly signed law, saying that the PMZ Act fully complies with international laws.
“They can only complain. They can’t do anything about it,” said Tolentino.
As chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, Tolentino said the newly signed law which he principally authored and sponsored is something that he will be proud of.
“Habang buhay kong ipagmamalaki 'yan (I will be forever proud of it),” he said.
Tolentino added that RA 12064 embodies the country’s jurisdiction with regards to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations and structures on the seabed, marine scientific research, drilling and tunneling, and other rights, as provided for in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Philippine Rise, some 250 kilometers east of Dinapigue in Isabela, is recognized under international law as part of the Philippines’ extended continental shelf.
The Philippines' claims were solidified through the UNCLOS, with significant contributions dating back to 2001, when the Philippines first lodged its territorial claims.