SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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'13 JUL-l P3:59 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 174 
Introduced by Senator Sergio Os men a III 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines, as signatory and party to the 1982 United Nations Convention on 
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), recognizes the establishment of various maritime 
zones and jurisdictions of coastal states over which sovereignty and appurtenant 
sovereign rights can be exercised. 
This bill is a general declaration of and defines the maritime zones under the 
jurisdiction of the Philippines over which the Philippines exercises sovereignty ad 
appurtenant sovereign rights consistent with the UNCLOS. 
In order to effectuate the ends for which the Philippines, as a sovereign coastal 
state, en~d into as signatory and party to the UNCLOS, and for the preservation 
and protectio\1 of its maritime rights, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
;J.~ VL/ 
SERGIO OSMENA III 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL -1 
P 3 :58 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 174 
Introduced by Senator Sergio Osmeiia III 
AN ACT 
TO DEFINE THE MARITIME ZONES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as 
"An Act to 
2 
Define the Maritime Zones of the Republic of the Philippines", otherwise known 
3 
as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act. 
4 
SECTION 2. The maritime zones of the Philippines are comprised of the 
5 
Internal waters, Archipelagic waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive 
6 
Economic Zone' (EEZ) and Continental Shelf. All territories of the Philippines 
7 
generate their respective maritime zones in accordance with international law. 
8 
SECTION 3. Internal Waters of the Philippines refers to the: 
9 
(a) waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines not forming 
10 
part of Archipelagic Waters under Section 4 hereof and delimited in 
11 
accordance with Article 50 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on 
12 
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); andlor 
13 
(b) waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea of 
14 
territories outside of the archipelagic baselines. 
15 
The Philippines exercises sovereignty over its Internal Waters and the 
16 
airspace over it as well as its seabed and subsoil in accordance with the 1982 
1 


1 
Unites Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other existing 
2 
laws and treaties. 
3 
SECTION 4. The Archipelagic Waters of the Philippines refers to the 
4 
waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines except as provided for 
5 
under Section 3 hereof. 
6 
Within the archipelagic waters, closing lines for the delineation of internal 
7 
water shall be drawn pursuant to Article 50 of the UNCLOS and other existing 
8 
laws and treaties. 
9 
SECTION 5. The Territorial Sea of the Philippines shall be the belt of sea 
10 
measured twelve (12) nautical miles from the baselines or from the low water 
11 
line, as the case may be. 
12 
The Philippines exercises sovereignty over its territorial sea and the 
13 
airspace over it as well as its seabed and subsoil in accordance with UNCLOS 
14 
and other existing laws and treaties. 
15 
SECTION 6. The Contiguous Zone of the Philippines refers to the waters 
16 
beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea and up to the extent of 24 nautical 
17 
miles from the baselines or from the low-water line, as the case may be. 
18 
The Philippines exercises sovereign rights over this zone in accordance 
19 
with UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties. 
20 
SECTION 7. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines 
21 
refers to the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the 
22 
extent of two hundred (200) nautical miles from the baselines or from the low-
23 
water line, as the case may be. 
24 
The Philippines exercises sovereign rights over this area including the 
25 
right to explore and exploit living and non-living, organic or non-organic 
26 
resources in accordance with UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties. 
27 
SECTION 8. The Continental Shelf of the Philippines comprises the 
28 
seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea 
29 
throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the 
2 


I 
continental margin, or to a distance of two-hundred (200) nautical miles from the 
2 
baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, where the 
3 
outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance. 
4 
Continental shelves extending beyond two-hundred (200) nautical miles 
5 
from the baselines shall be delineated in accordance with Article 76 of the 
6 
UNCLOS. 
7 
The Philippines exercises sovereign rights over this area including the 
8 
right to explore and exploit living and non-living, organic or non-organic 
9 
resources in accordance with UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties. 
10 
SECTION 9. Other rights of the Philippines not referred to in this Act shall 
11 
be exercised in accordance with international law and the laws and regulations 
12 
of the Philippines. 
13 
SECTION 10. If maritime zones of the Philippines overlap with the 
14 
maritime zones claimed by other countries, the Philippines may delimit these 
15 
zones and endeavor to resolve the overlap in accordance with means 
16 
recognized under international law. 
17 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws inconsistent with or contrary 
18 
to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed 
19 
accordingly. 
20 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. -
If any portion or provision of this 
21 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof 
22 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
23 
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
24 
days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two newspapers of 
25 
general circulation. 
26 
Approved, 
3