NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2411
Senate
01 l!)C ^.-crcrorp
23 AUG 16 P3 -50
RECEIVED &V
Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa
AN ACT
DEFINING THE MARITIME ZONES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The issues regarding the West Philippine Sea started years ago. The incursions 
by Chinese Ships near Spratly Islands, the Army Douglas Bank, off the coast of 
Palawan Island in 2011 was the beginning wherein we were made aware of the 
possible danger that this concern might bring.1 Since then, it was followed by many 
concerning events between the Philippines and China up to this day where recently 
an issue of Chinese Coast Guard vessel block and sprayed water cannons at the 
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels In the West Philippines Sea, creating further 
tension between the countries.2
Article II, Section 2 of the Philippine Constitution provides for an "incorporation 
clause," which states that: "The Philippines...adopts the generally accepted principles 
of international law as part of the law of the land.3
The Philippines, as a member of the United Nations Convention on the Law of 
the Sea (UNCLOS), joined this party to desire to settle all Issues relating to the law of 
the sea; to establish a legal order for the seas and oceans; and strengthen peace, 
security, cooperation and friendly relations among all conforming nations, among 
others, according to the preamble of the said Convention. UNCLOS has since become 
the legal framework for marine and maritime activities.
1 https://www.cfr.org/timeline/chinas-maritime-disputes
2 https://news.abs-cbn.eom/news/08/06/23/china-blasts-water-cannons-at-filipino-boats-in-west-ph-sea-pcg
3 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/


Thus, according to its constitution, the Philippines recognizes and upholds 
UNCLOS and other treaties it has membership in as part of the law of the land; 
enacting a municipal law to this effect can further fortify the country's claims over its 
maritime zones.
Hence, this proposed measure aims to declare and define the maritime zones 
under the Jurisdiction of the country in order to preserve and protect our maritime 
rights. In passing this measure, we also provide the necessary flexibility In the passage 
of pertinent laws to the rights and obligations of the Philippines over its maritime 
zones.
For the above reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RONALD
DELA ROSA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2411
of tfje
23 AUG 16 P3 50
Rl'CEIVliD BY,
Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa
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AN ACT
DEFINING THE MARITIME ZONES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Maritime 
Zones Act".
Sec. 2. Maritime Zones. - The maritime zones of the Philippines comprise the 
internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. All territories of the Philippines shall 
generate their respective maritime zones in accordance with international law.
Sec. 3. Archipelagic Baselines. - Archipelagic baselines, as used in this Act, shall 
refer to the baselines as defined under Republic Act No. 9522, otherwise known as 
the "Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Act of 2009."
Sec. 4. Interna! Waters. - The internal waters of the Philippines, as appropriate, 
refer to the following:
a. Waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines not forming part 
of the archipelagic waters under Section 5 of this Act and delineated in 
accordance with Article 50 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the 
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and
b. Waters on the landward side of the baselines of the territorial sea of 
territories outside of the archipelagic baselines, drawn in accordance with 
Article 8 of the UNCLOS.


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c. The Philippines exercises sovereignty over its internal waters and the 
airspace over it as well as its seabed and subsoil In accordance with the 
UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties.
Sec. 5. Archipelagic Waters. - The archipelagic waters of the Philippines refer 
to the waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines except as provided 
for under Section 4 of this Act.
Within the archipelagic waters, closing lines for the delineation of internal 
Waters shall be drawn pursuant to Article 50 of the UNCLOS and other existing laws 
and treaties.
The Philippines exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over its archipelagic 
waters and the airspace over it as well as its seabed and subsoil in accordance with 
the UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties.
Sec. 6. Territorial Sea. - The territorial sea of the Philippines refers to the 
adjacent belt of sea measured twelve (12) nautical miles from the baselines of the 
territorial sea as determined in accordance with the provisions of Part II or Part IV of 
the UNCLOS as appropriate.
The Philippines exercises sovereignty over its territorial sea and the airspace 
over it as well as its seabed and subsoil in accordance with the UNCLOS and other 
existing laws and treaties.
Sec. 7. Contiguous Zone. - The contiguous zone of the Philippines refers to the 
waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the extent of twenty-four 
(24) nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is 
measured.
In accordance with the UNCLOS, the Philippines exercises control over this zone 
necessary to:
a) Prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and
regulations within its territory or territorial sea; and
b) Punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within Its
territory or territorial sea.
Sec. 8. Exclusive Economic Zone. - The exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the 
Philippines refers to the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to 
the extent of two hundred (200) nautical miles from the baselines from which the 
breadth of the territorial sea is measured, as established by Presidential Decree No. 
1599, otherwise known as the "Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone of 1978", and to 
the extent consistent with the other provisions of this Act and with the provisions of 
the UNCLOS.


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In accordance with the UNCLOS, the Philippines exercises within the EEZ the 
following rights:
a) Sovereign rights over this area for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, 
conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, 
of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and 
with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of 
the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, tide, and wind; and
b) Jurisdiction with regard to: i) the establishment and use of artificial islands, 
installations and structures; ii) marine scientific research; iii) the protection and 
preservation of the marine environment; and iv) other rights and duties 
provided for In the UNCLOS.
Sec. 9. Continental Shelf. - The continental shelf of the Philippines comprises 
the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond Its territorial sea 
throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the 
continental margin, or to a distance of two hundred (200) nautical miles from the 
baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea Is measured, where the outer 
edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.
Continental shelves extending beyond two hundred (200) nautical miles from 
the baselines shall be delineated in accordance with Article 76 of the UNCLOS.
The Philippines exercises sovereign rights to explore and exploit the mineral, 
petroleum and non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil and living organisms 
belonging to the sedentary species, as well as jurisdiction with regard to the 
establishment and use of artificial Islands, installations and structures on the seabed, 
drilling and tunneling, and other rights as provided for in accordance with the UNCLOS, 
Republic Act No. 7942, otherwise known as the "Philippine Mining Act of 1995", and 
other existing laws and treaties.
Sec. 10. Adherence to Existing Laws. - Other rights of the Philippines relative 
to Its maritime zones and entitlements shall be exercised in accordance with the 
UNCLOS, the awards rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal in Permanent Court of 
Arbitration (PCA) Case No. 2013-19, in the matter of the South China Sea Arbitration 
between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China, handed 
down on July 12, 2016 at The Hague, The Netherlands and other laws and regulations 
on maritime zones, and entitlements of the Philippines and international law.
Sec. 11. Delimitations. - Where the maritime zones defined in this Act overlap 
with the maritime zones of a neighboring State, the common boundaries shall be 
determined by agreement with that State in accordance with the relevant principles 
of delimitation under international law, including the UNCLOS.
Sec. 12. Reciprocity and Mutual Respect-The rights and privileges of foreign 
vessels and aircraft in the Philippines archipelagic waters here provided are recognized 
under conditions of reciprocity and mutual respect.


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Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any section or part of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall 
remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, 
are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspapes of general circulation.
Approved,