Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.3288

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
DECLARING JULY 12 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING
HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE HISTORIC
DECISION OF THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION
(PCA) IN FAVOR OF PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY
OVER THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The South China Sea has been one of the most popular territorial waterways in the world
with decades-long history of maritime dispute among seven (7) countries, including the
Philippines and the People’s Republic of China

One of the persistent issues over this disputed territory is China's controversial "historical"
claim, outlined by a 9-dash line covering almost 90% of the contested waters. The said line
runs as far as 2,000km from the Chinese mainland to within a few hundred kilometers from
the territories of other claimant countries, such as the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
The People’s Republic of China maintains its stand that it owns any land or features
contained within that line.

China's saber-rattling in the disputed maritime territory aggravated the situation with
reported harassments by Chinese patrol boats in 2011 and China's tale-over of Scarborough
Shoal which forms part of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone in 2012. Amid the
heightening conflict, the Philippines has resorted to peaceful and legal means, including
political and diplomatic remedies, with the end view of arriving at a just settlement of our
maritime dispute with China. However, China continues its aggressiveness by building a
military garrison in the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, positioning a missile frigate
in one of the contested maritime territories and informing the Philippine Government that
Chinese coast guard vessels will remain permanently in these islands.


‘The UNCLOS was adopted as a “constitution for the oceans,” in order to “settle all issues
relating to the law of the sea”, and has been ratified by 168 parties. UNCLOS seeks to solve
the wide range of issues and includes a mechanism for peaceful settlement of disputes. The
Philippines’ case in the PCA sought ruling to declare that the rights and entitlements in the
South China Sea must be based on the INICLOS and not on any claim to the so-called “historic”
right. Italso aimed to challenge the lawfulness of China's actions in the South China Sea, and
resolve if China has encroached the sovereignty of the Philippines by engaging in the large
scale construction of artificial islands and land reclamation at seven reefs in the Spratly
Islands.

After the three-year process of tackling and hearing the case, the PCA finally promulgated on
12 July 2016 its decision with key rulings in favor of the Philippines. The tribunal held that
the so-called “9-dash line” is invalid and has no legal basis to claim historic rights to
resources. Further, the CPA ruled that China's large-scale land reclamation has “caused
severe harm to the coral reef environment and violated its obligation to preserve and protect
fragile ecosystems,” adding with emphatic clarity that China had definitely violated the
Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.

In order to commemorate the momentous victory by the Philippines in the PCA, it is fitting
and compelling that the 12 of July of each year be a Special Working Holiday dedicated to
honoring this landmark decision favoring the Philippines, in the hope of instilling national
pride among our people and motivating our government to constantly pursue and promote
policies and programs consistent with the PCA ruling.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 3288

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
DECLARING JULY 12 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING
HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE HISTORIC
DECISION OF THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION
(PCA) IN FAVOR OF PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY
OVER THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “West Philippine Sea Victory

Day.”
Sec. 2. West Philippine Sea Victory Day. - July 12 of every year shall be declared a
special working holiday to commemorate the day when the historic decision made by the

Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands was issued.

Sec. 3. Lead Agency. - To ensure the meaningful observance of the holiday as herein
declared, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall plan, design and implement activities
for the “West Philippine Sea Victory Day” and ensure that the significance of this historic
decision shall continue to inspire and instill a sense of pride in every Filipino, as well as to
constantly remind the government to continually uphold our rights in the West Philippine
Sea and emphasize that the policies that the government will pursue are consistent with the
said ruling,

Sec 4. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.


Sec. 5. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in the Official Gazette in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,