NINETEENTH CONGRESS OE THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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23 JAN 11 P4 59
SENATE
S. N0.1G49
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
DEFINING THE MARITIME ZONES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also called 
the Law of the Sea Convention or Law of the Sea Treaty, was adopted in 1982 and 
came into force in 1994. The UNCLOS provides the framework and substance of the 
rules-based order of maritime governance, including the allocation of maritime 
zones to coastal states, as well as archipelagic states.
The Republic of the Philippines, as a signatory and party to the UNCLOS, 
asserts that the provisions of the Convention do not nullify or impair the sovereignty 
of the Philippines as an archipelagic state over the sea lanes and do not deprive it of 
authority to enact legislation to protect its sovereignty, independence, and security.
In 2009, Republic Act No. 9522, or the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law, 
came into effect and the same was upheld by the Supreme Court in a case 
questioning its constitutionality. The law affirms that the Republic of the Philippines 
has dominion, sovereignty, and jurisdiction over all portions of the national territory 
as defined in the Constitution and by provisions of applicable laws.
This bill aims to demonstrate the adherence of the Philippines to international 
law, as well as assert its management and enforcement of policies and laws which 
are appurtenant to its sovereignty and jurisdiction. It also provides for the requisite 
flexibility in enacting subsequent laws appropriate to the rights and obligations to 
which the Philippines is entitled and may enforce over its maritime zones.


In view of the foregoing, the prioritization and immediate passage 
current bill proposing a Maritime Zones Law is respectfully sought.
of the
LOREN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s.No.1649
% Senate
at tlif <6rciTtar|>
23 JdNlI P4S9
KCCEIVEOeV:
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
DEFINING THE MARITIME ZONES UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic 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, refer 
to the baselines as defined under Republic Act No. 9522, otherwise known as the 
"Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Act of 2009".
Sec. 4. Internal 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 
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


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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.
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
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the waters on the landward side of the archipelagic baselines except as provided for
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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
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The Philippines exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over its archipelagic
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waters and the airspace over it as well as its seabed and subsoil in accordance with
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the UNCLOS and other existing laws and treaties.
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Sec. 6. Territorial Sea. - The territorial sea of the Philippines refers to the
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adjacent belt of sea measured twelve (12) nautical miles from the baselines of the
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territorial sea as determined in accordance with the provisions of Part II or Part IV of
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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
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existing laws and treaties.
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Sec. 7. Contiguous Zone. - The contiguous zone of the Philippines refers to the
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waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea and up to the extent of twenty-four
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(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
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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
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the extent consistent with the other provisions of this Act and with the provisions of
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the UNCLOS.
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; 
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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.
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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.
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Continental shelves extending beyond two hundred (200) nautical miles from
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the baselines shall be delineated in accordance with Article 76 of the UNCLOS.


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The Philippines exercises sovereign rights to explore and exploit the mineral, 
petroleum and nonliving 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 
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UNCLOS, the awards rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal in Permanent Court of
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Arbitration (PCA) Case No. 2013-19, in the matter of the South China Sea Arbitration
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between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China, handed
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down on July 12, 2016 at The Hague, The Netherlands and other laws and
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regulations on maritime zones and entitlements of the Philippines and international
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law.
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Sec. 11. Delimitations. - Where the maritime zones defined in this Act overlap
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with the maritime zones of a neighboring State, the common boundaries shall be
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determined by agreement with that State in accordance with the relevant principles
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of delimitation under international law, including the UNCLOS.
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Sec. 12. Reciprocity and Mutual Respect. - The rights and privileges of foreign
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vessels and aircraft in Philippines archipelagic waters here provided are recognized
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under conditions of reciprocity and mutual respect.
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Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other portions or provisions hereof not affected
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thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws inconsistent with or contrary to the
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provisions of this Act are deemed amended or repealed accordingly.
Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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Approved,