The Senate on Monday, February 26, approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2492 or the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act which sets archipelagic boundaries in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) and the 2016 The Hague arbitral ruling.

The new law, according to Sen. Francis Tolentino, sponsor of the measure, sets the archipelagic boundaries, the country’s internal waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) over which the Philippine Government exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Under the measure, the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are highlighted together with the Benham Rise now known as “Talampas ng Pilipinas”.

Tolentino said he is certain that the new law will serve as the cornerstone of the country’s maritime policy, protecting the country’s sovereignty and address the Philippines’ national security needs.

Once passed into law, the measure would, likewise, protect Filipino fishermen’s rights over the vast resources of the WPS as well as the untapped energy resources in the area.

“Within the maritime zones law, we can forge more alliances with other countries, under a rules-based international order in compliance with UNCLOS,” said Tolentino, head of the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zone.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, a member of the special committee, said he hopes that the proposed legislation would be enacted as soon as possible given continuing tensions over disputed waters in the WPS.

“This is an important piece of legislation that would strengthen our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, which was already established by our victory in the 2016 arbitral ruling,” said Gatchalian, who co-authored the measure.

“We hope that the enactment of our maritime zones will strengthen our maritime rights and assert them against China's continued pressure on our fellow Filipinos,” Gatchalian said.

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also lauded the passage of the proposal in the Senate saying it is a sign of a stronger stand for the country’s sovereignty.

“We are passing this proposal in the Senate to inform those who trample on our sovereignty and destroy our natural resources. We will not be muzzled and silent witnesses to your offensive acts. Not especially if you poison our oceans, not especially if you are oppressing our fishermen and robbing them of their livelihood, and not especially if you mock our people and existing laws,” Revilla said in Filipino.

“We will defend what is ours up to our last breath. Through this proposal that has also been passed in the House of Representatives, we are not only waving our flag, we are also emphasizing our principles and stance. We love the Philippines that when there is an oppressor, we will stand up and not be defeated,” he added.