EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 2459
0! !’■ 1'
*21 DEC -1 P5 -48
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel HI
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MARITIME ZONES OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND DEFINE THEIR LEGAL REGIMES, 
HARMONIZE PHILIPPINE LAWS WITH THE UNITED 
NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 
(UNCLOS)1 was signed in 1982 and came into effect in 1994. It 
marked the culmination of a decade of complex multilateral 
negotiations, preceded by more than twenty years of legal 
development in which old customary norms were eroded by the 
pressure of new ocean technologies, increased maritime needs, and 
expanding coastal state claims, especially on the part of newly 
independent nations.
The UNCLOS provides a constitution for the oceans that forms 
the framework and substance of the rules-based order of maritime 
governance. It encompasses the allocation of maritime zones to 
coastal states2, including archipelagic states3 whose status was 
formally recognized for the first time under international law; the
1 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, concluded on 10 December 1982, entered into force Nov. 1, 
1994, 1833 U.N.T.S. 397.
2 See UNCLOS, Parts II-Vl.
3 See UNCLOS, Part IV.


protection of navigational and passage rights of the vessels of all 
states without discrimination4; the creation of a regime for the 
international seabed5; the establishment of cooperation regimes on the 
protection of the marine environment and on marine scientific 
research6; and the creation of conciliation-based and compulsory 
mechanisms for dispute settlement7.
As a party to UNCLOS and a law-abiding member of the 
community of nations, the Philippines is bound to perform its 
obligations in good faith8 and thus has the responsibility to harmonize 
its laws with the treaty. Therefore, in 2009, it enacted Republic Act 
No. 9522 to make the baselines of the territorial sea of the Philippine 
archipelago compliant with UNCLOS, the constitutionality of which 
was recognized by the Supreme Court in Magallona v Ermita9. It is 
from these baselines that the maritime zones seaward Ifom Philippine 
territory are measured; and it is within these baselines that the 
Philippines has internal and archipelagic waters.
The indispensable next step in the harmonization of Philippine 
law with UNCLOS is the enactment of a comprehensive statute to 
establish the maritime zones of the Philippines in accordance with the 
treaty, which are mentioned and recognized in Article I and Article 
XII of the Constitution. Some of these maritime zones are already 
defined or governed in various statutes and statutory provisions10. 
However, these scattered statutes and provisions do not establish the 
complete set of maritime zone regimes that the Philippines, as a 
coastal state, may define under UNCLOS; and some of them do not 
yet govern the Philippines’ maritime zones to the full geographical 
extent allowed under the treaty. For example, while the Philippines 
has already established the limits of its continental shelf beyond 200 
nautical miles from the baselines of the territorial sea in the Philippine
4 See, inter alia, UNCLOS, Part II, Section 3; Part III, Section 2; arts. 52-54, 58.
5 See UNCLOS. Part XI.
6 See UNCLOS, Parts XJI-XIU.
7 See UNCLOS, Part XV.
8 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.TS. 331, entered into force Jan. 27, 1980, art. 26.
9 Magallona et.al. Ermita\ G.R. No. 187167; 16 Aug 2011; 655 SCRA 476.
10 Rep, Act No. 3046 (1961); Rep, Act No. 5446 (1968); Pres. Dec. No. 87 (1972); Pres. Dec. No. 1599 (1978); 
Rep. Act No. 7942 (1995); Rep. Act No. 8550 (1998); Rep. Act No. 9522 (2009).


Rise Region11, the coverage of the Mining Act of 1995, which would 
govern mining in offshore areas, does not extend beyond 200 nautical 
miles, and the law equivocally measures this distance both from the 
mean low tide level and from the baselines of the Philippine 
archipelago.12
The necessity of comprehensive maritime zones law is further 
highlighted by the fact that many subsisting statutory provisions 
governing the maritime zones of the Philippines were enacted or 
issued before UNCLOS. As a consequence, they either reflect pre- 
UNCLOS international or domestic legal regimes13, or enshrine 
Philippine negotiating positions on the law of the sea14, which have 
been superseded by the entry into force of that treaty. Although these 
provisions have been impliedly repealed by subsequent UNCLOS- 
compliant laws like Republic Act No. 9522, it is necessary to remove 
all ambiguity by enacting a comprehensive maritime zones law that 
clearly establishes the legal regimes and geographical extent of these 
maritime zones in accordance with UNCLOS. This would not only 
demonstrate the adherence of the Philippines to international law, but 
would also remove any uncertainty on the part of its armed forces and 
civilian law enforcers as to which laws they may observe and over 
which area.
In conformity with the requirements of sound legal 
draftsmanship, the proposed Maritime Zones Law sets out as 
completely as possible the legal norms governing the maritime zones 
of the Philippines and includes the express amendment of the 
inconsistent provisions of prior statutes. This is necessary to ensure 
that provisions directly affecting substantive rights are contained in a 
legislated statute and not in administrative issuances whose scope and 
force is limited to the implementation and interpretation of laws. This 
is also done to make the maritime legal regimes of the Philippines 
immediately clear and accessible to the officers and judges tasked 
with implementing and applying Philippine law, without the need to
11 See M.Z.N.88.2012.LOS, 17 July 2012 and M.Z.N.88.2012.LOS.Add.l, 8 March 2018.
12 Rep. Act No. 7942, sec. 3 (o, ai) (1995).
13 See Pres. Dec. No. 1596 (1978).
14 See Rep, Act No. 3046, preamble (1961).


refer to other instruments beyond the law itself, and without the need 
for judicial construction to determine which statutory provisions have 
been impliedly amended.
For these reasons, the earnest passage of this measure is sought.
AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL III


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE 
S. No. 2459
or i:'f ■ 
■ '■■■' >‘”:1
•21 DEC-1 P5:48
Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel HI
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MARITIME ZONES OF 
THE PHILIPPINES AND DEFINE THEIR LEGAL 
REGIMES, HARMONIZE PHILIPPINE LAWS WITH THE 
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF 
THE SEA, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Philippine 
Maritime Zones and Law of the Sea Act of 2021”.
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. - The Philippines, being a sovereign state 
within the international community and subject to the law of nature and of 
nations, is bound to observe international law and the norms of the rules-based 
international order in furtherance of its national interest and the global common 
good. For this purpose, the Philippines shall exercise its rights and comply with 
its obligations as a party to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of 
the Sea (UNCLOS), and shall harmonize its laws and regulations with that treaty.
SEC. 3. Definitions. -


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1. 
‘Baselines of the territorial sea’ shall mean the baselines from which 
the territorial sea of the Philippines is measured, which are:
a. The archipelagic straight baselines of the territorial sea of the 
Philippine archipelago, as defined under Section 1 of 
Republic Act No. 3046 as amended by Section 1 of Republic 
Act No. 5466 and Republic Act No. 9522; and
b. The normal or straight baselines of the territorial sea as 
defined and drawn in accordance with the UNCLOS from the 
land territories of the Philippines outside the Philippine 
archipelago, including the Kalayaan Islands and Bajo De 
Masinloc which are deemed subject to the Regime of Islands 
under Article 121 of UNCLOS; provided that, where a low- 
tide elevation is situated wholly or partly at a distance not 
exceeding the breadth of the territorial sea from the mainland 
or an island, the low-water line on that elevation may be used 
as the baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea;
2. ‘Extended Continental Shelf shall refer to that portion of the 
continental shelf of the Philippines beyond the distance of 200 
nautical miles from the baselines of the territorial sea; and
3. ‘Island’ is a naturally formed area of land, surrounded by water, 
which is above water at high tide in its natural state;
4. ‘Land territories of the Philippines’ are those portions of the national 
territory of the Philippines that are above water at high tide, under 
the title and sovereignty of the Philippines;
5. ‘Low-tide elevation’ is a naturally formed area of land which is 
surrounded by and above water at low tide but submerged at high 
tide;
6. ‘Rock’, in accordance with the Regime of Islands under Article 121 
of UNCLOS, is an island that, in its natural state, cannot sustain 
human habitation or economic life of its own; and
7. ‘Warship’ means a ship belonging to the armed forces of a State or 
Administrative Entity bearing the external marks distinguishing 
such ships of its nationality, under the command of an officer duly 
commissioned by the government of the State or Administrative 
Entity and whose name appears in the appropriate service list or its 
equivalent, and manned by a crew which is under regular armed 
forces discipline.


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CHAPTER II
MARITIME ZONES UNDER PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY
SEC. 4. Maritime Zones under Philippine Sovereignty. - The sovereignty 
of the Philippines extends beyond its land territory and its internal waters proper, 
to its archipelagic waters, and its territorial sea, including the airspace, seabed, 
and subsoil thereof.
The Maritime Zones of the Philippines shall be comprised of its internal 
waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone. Exclusive Economic 
Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf. All land territories of the Philippines shall 
generate their respective maritime zones in accordance with international law. 
Rocks shall not generate an Exclusive Economic Zone or the continental shelf.
SEC. 5. Internal Waters and Archipelagic Waters. -
1. The internal waters of the Philippines in the general sense shall 
consist of its internal waters proper, hereinafter referred to simply as 
internal waters, and the archipelagic waters of the Philippines, as 
defined under the following paragraphs of this Section.
2. The internal waters of the Philippines shall refer to the:
a. Waters on the landward side of the baselines of the territorial 
sea of the Philippine archipelago not forming part of the 
archipelagic waters; and
b. Waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial 
sea of Philippine land territories outside the Philippine 
archipelago.
3. The archipelagic waters of the Philippines shall refer to the waters 
on the landward side of the archipelagic straight baselines of the 
territorial sea of the Philippine archipelago not constituting internal 
waters.
4. Within the archipelagic waters, closing lines for the delimitation of 
internal waters shall be drawn pursuant to relevant norms of the 
UNCLOS.
SEC. 6. Exercise of Sovereignty in Archipelagic Waters. - The 
Philippines shall exercise its sovereignty in its archipelagic waters in accordance 
with the rules of the UNCLOS, including the following:


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1. The Philippines shall respect the right of ships of all States to 
exercise innocent passage, archipelagic sea lanes passage, and transit 
passage in accordance with Chapter HI of this Act.
2. The Philippines shall respect existing submarine cables laid by other 
States and passing through its archipelagic waters without making a 
landfall, and shall permit the maintenance and replacement of such 
cables upon receiving due notice of their location and the intention 
to repair or replace them.
SEC. 7. Territorial Sea. -
1. The territorial sea of the Philippines shall refer to the adjacent belt 
of sea extending twelve (12) nautical miles outward from the 
baselines of the territorial sea. Its outer limit is the line every point 
of which is at a distance from the nearest point of the baseline equal 
to the breadth of the territorial sea.
2. Where the coast of the Philippines is opposite or adjacent to that of 
another State or Administrative Entity, and unless there is an 
agreement to the contrary with that State or Administrative Entity, 
the boundary of the territorial sea between the Philippines and said 
State or Administrative Entity shall be the median line every point 
of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines of 
the territorial seas of the Philippines and that State or Administrative 
Entity.
SEC. 8. Exercise of Sovereignty in the Territorial Sea. — The Philippines 
shall exercise its sovereignty in its territorial sea in accordance with the rules of 
the UNCLOS, including the following:
1. The Philippines shall respect the right of ships of all States to 
exercise, within its territorial sea, innocent passage and transit 
passage through straits used for international navigation, in 
accordance with Chapter III of this Act.
2. No charge may be levied upon foreign ships by reason only of their 
passage through the territorial sea. Charges may be levied upon a 
foreign ship passing through the territorial sea as payment only for 
specific services rendered to the ship. These charges shall be levied 
without discrimination.


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CHAPTER m 
PASSAGE RIGHTS
IN MARITIME ZONES UNDER PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY
A. INNOCENT PASSAGE 
SEC. 9. Right of Innocent Passage. -
1. The ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the 
right of innocent passage in the archipelagic waters and the territorial 
sea of the Philippines.
2. The Philippines may, without discrimination in form or in fact 
among foreign ships, suspend temporarily in specified areas of its 
territorial sea or its archipelagic waters the innocent passage of 
foreign ships if such suspension is essential for the protection of its 
security, including weapons exercises. Such suspension shall take 
effect only after having been duly published.
3. The regime of innocent passage shall also apply in straits used for 
international navigation: (a) excluded from the application of the 
regime of transit passage; or (b) between a part of the high seas or 
an exclusive economic zone and the territorial sea of a foreign State. 
There shall be no suspension of innocent passage through such 
straits.
4. The Philippines shall take the necessary steps to prevent passage 
which is not innocent.
5. In the case of ships proceeding to internal waters or a call at a port 
facility outside internal waters, the Philippines also has the right to 
take the necessary steps to prevent any breach of the conditions to 
which admission of those ships to internal waters or such a call is 
subject.
SEC. 10. Meaning of Passage.
1. Passage means navigation through archipelagic waters, the territorial 
sea, and straits covered by this Act for the purpose of: (a) traversing 
those maritime areas without entering internal waters or calling at a 
roadstead or port facility outside internal waters; or (b) proceeding 
to or from internal waters or a call at such roadstead or port facility.


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2. Passage shall be continuous and expeditious. However, passage 
includes stopping and anchoring, but only in so far as the same are 
incidental to ordinary navigation or are rendered necessary by 
force majeure or distress or for the purpose of rendering assistance 
to persons, ships or aircraft in danger or distress.
SEC. 11. Scope and Limitations of Innocent Passage.
1. Passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good 
order or security of the Philippines. Such passage shall take place in 
conformity with UNCLOS and with other rules of international law.
2. Passage of a foreign ship shall be considered to be prejudicial to the 
peace, good order or security of the Philippines if it engages in any 
of the following activities within the areas under Section 9 of this 
Act:
a. Any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial 
integrity or political independence of the Philippines, or in 
any other maimer in violation of the principles of 
international law embodied in the Charter of the United 
Nations;
b. Any exercise or practice with weapons of any kind;
c. Any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of 
the defense or security of the Philippines;
d. Any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defense or 
security of the Philippines;
e. The launching, landing or taking on board of any aircraft, 
including unmanned aerial vehicles;
f. The launching, landing or taking on board of any military 
device;
g. The loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or 
person contrary to the customs, fiscal, immigration or 
sanitary laws and regulations of the Philippines;
h. Any act of willful and serious pollution contrary to UNCLOS 
and the laws of the Philippines;


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i. Any fishing activities;
j. The carrying out of research or survey activities;
k. Any act aimed at interfering with any systems of 
communication or any other facilities or installations of the 
Philippines; and
l. Any other activity not having a direct bearing on passage.
SEC. 12. Rules for Specific Categories of Vessels. -
1. Submarines and other underwater vehicles, including underwater 
undersea vehicles, that are exercising innocent passage are required 
to navigate on the surface and to show their flag.
2. Foreign nuclear-powered ships shall, when exercising the right of 
innocent passage, carry documents and observe special 
precautionary measures established for such ships by international 
agreements, without prejudice to Section 58 of this Act.
SEC. 13. Duties of Ships Exercising Innocent Passage. -
1. Foreign ships exercising the right of innocent passage shall comply 
with all laws and regulations of the Philippines in respect of the 
following:
a. the safety of navigation and the regulation of maritime 
traffic;
b. the protection of navigational aids and facilities and other 
facilities or installations;
c. the protection of cables and pipelines;
d. the conservation of the living resources of the sea;
e. the prevention of infringement of the fisheries laws and 
regulations of the Philippines;
f. the preservation of the environment of the Philippines and 
the prevention, reduction and control of pollution thereof;
g. marine scientific research and hydrographic surveys; and
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h. the prevention of infringement of the customs, fiscal, 
immigration or sanitary laws and regulations of the 
Philippines.
Provided that, such laws and regulations shall not apply to the design, 
construction, manning or equipment of foreign ships unless they are giving effect 
to generally accepted international rules or standards; Provided, further. That the 
Philippines shall give due publicity to all such laws and regulations.
2. Foreign ships exercising the right of innocent passage shall comply 
with all generally accepted international regulations relating to the 
prevention of collisions at sea.
SEC. 14. Sea Lanes and Traffic Separation Schemes. -
1. The Philippines may, where necessary and having regard to the 
safety of navigation, require foreign ships exercising the right of 
iimocent passage to use such sea lanes and traffic separation schemes 
as it may designate or prescribe for the regulation of the passage of 
ships.
2. In particular, tankers and nuclear-powered ships shall be required to 
confine their passage to such sea lanes, without prejudice to Section 
58 of this Act.
3. In the designation of sea lanes and the prescription of traffic 
separation schemes under this Section, the Philippines shall take into 
account:
a. The recommendations of the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) and other competent international 
organizations;
b. Any channels customarily used for international navigation;
c. The special characteristics of particular ships and chaimels; 
and
d. The density of traffic.
4. The Philippines shall clearly indicate such sea lanes and traffic 
separation schemes on charts to which due publicity shall be given.


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SEC. 15. Duties of the Philippines in Relation to Innocent Passage. -
1. The Philippines shall not hamper the innocent passage of foreign 
ships except in accordance with the UNCLOS and, in particular, 
shall not:
a. impose requirements on foreign ships which have the 
practical effect of denying or impairing the right of innocent 
passage; or
b. discriminate in form or in fact against the ships of any State 
or against ships carrying cargoes to, from or on behalf of any 
State.
2. The Philippines shall give appropriate publicity to any danger to 
navigation, of which it has knowledge, within its territorial sea.
SEC. 16. Criminal Jurisdiction on Board a Foreign Ship. -
1. The Philippines shall not exercise criminal jurisdiction on board a 
foreign ship passing through the territorial sea to arrest any person 
or to conduct any investigation in connection with any crime 
committed on board the ship during its passage, save only in the 
following cases:
a. if the consequences of the crime extend to the Philippines;
b. if the crime is of a kind to disturb the peace of the Philippines 
or the good order of its territorial sea;
c. if the assistance of the local authorities has been requested 
by the master of the ship or by a diplomatic agent or consular 
officer of the flag State; or
d. if such measures are necessary for the suppression of illicit 
traffic in narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
2. This does not affect the right of the Philippine government to take 
any steps authorized by law for the purpose of an arrest or 
investigation on board a foreign ship passing through the territorial 
sea after leaving internal waters.
3. In the cases provided for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section, 
the Philippines shall, if the master so requests, notify a diplomatic


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agent or consular officer of the flag State before taking any steps, 
and shall facilitate contact between such agent or officer and the 
ship's crew. In cases of emergency, this notification may be 
communicated while the measures are being undertaken.
4. In considering whether or in what manner an arrest should be made, 
Philippine authorities shall have due regard to the interests of 
navigation.
5. Except with respect to laws for the protection of the maritime 
environment or with respect to violations of laws and regulations 
applicable to the exclusive economic zone, the Philippines shall not 
take any steps on board a foreign ship passing through the territorial 
sea to arrest any person or to conduct any investigation in connection 
with any crime committed before the ship entered the territorial sea, 
if the ship, proceeding from a foreign port, is only passing through 
the territorial sea without entering internal waters.
SEC. 17. Civil Jurisdiction in Relation to Foreign Ships. -
1. The Philippines shall not stop or divert a foreign ship passing 
through its territorial sea for the purpose of exercising civil 
jurisdiction in relation to a person on board the ship.
2. The Philippines may not levy execution against or arrest the ship for 
the purpose of any civil proceedings, save only in respect of 
obligations or liabilities assumed or incurred by the ship itself in the 
course or for the purpose of its voyage through the waters of the 
Philippines. Hiis shall be without prejudice to the right of the 
Philippines to levy execution against or to arrest, for the purpose of 
any civil proceedings, a foreign ship lying in its territorial sea, or 
passing through the territorial sea after leaving internal waters.
SEC. 18. Norms Applicable to Warships and Other Government Ships 
Operated for Non-Commercial Purposes. -
1. Warships and other government ships operated for non-commercial 
purposes exercising passage in the territorial sea shall be immune 
from Philippine jurisdiction except where the provisions of 
UNCLOS and the norms of international law provide otherwise.
2. If any warship does not comply with the laws and regulations of the 
Philippines concerning passage through the territorial sea and
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disregards any request for compliance therewith, the Philippines 
shall require it to leave the territorial sea immediately.
3. The flag State shall bear international responsibility for any loss or 
damage to the Philippines resulting from the non-compliance by a 
warship or other government ship operated for non-commercial 
purposes with the laws and regulations of the Philippines concerning 
passage through the territorial sea or with the provisions of 
UNCLOS or other rules of international law.
B. ARCHIPELAGIC SEA LANES PASSAGE 
AND TRANSIT PASSAGE
SEC. 19. Right of Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage. -
1. Foreign ships and aircraft may exercise the right of archipelagic sea 
lanes passage for purposes of navigation and overflight from one part 
of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone to another part of the 
high seas or an exclusive economic zone through or over the 
archipelagic waters of the Philippines and the adjacent territorial sea.
2. The right of archipelagic sea lanes passage shall be exercised 
through the sea lanes and air routes designated by the Philippines or, 
in default thereof, through the routes normally used for international 
navigation.
SEC. 20. Sea Lanes and Air Routes for Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage.
1. The Philippines shall designate sea lanes and air routes suitable for 
the exercise of archipelagic sea lanes passage, and shall define them 
by a series of continuous axis lines from the entry points of passage 
routes to the exit points.
2. The Philippines may also prescribe traffic separation schemes for the 
safe passage of ships through narrow channels in designated sea 
lanes.
3. When circumstances require, after giving due publicity thereto, the 
Philippines may substitute other sea lanes or traffic separation 
schemes for any sea lanes or traffic separation schemes previously 
designated or prescribed by it.
4. The sea lanes and traffic separation schemes under this Section shall 
conform to generally accepted international regulations.
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5. The archipelagic State shall clearly indicate the axis of the sea lanes 
and the traffic separation schemes designated or prescribed by it on 
charts to which due publicity shall be given.
6. Before designating or substituting sea lanes or prescribing or 
substituting traffic separation schemes, the Philippines shall first 
refer proposals to the IMO with a view to their adoption. After the 
IMO adopts such sea lanes and traffic separation schemes as may be 
agreed with the Philippines, the latter shall proceed to designate, 
prescribe or substitute them.
SEC. 21. Transit Passage through Straits Used for International 
Navigation. -
1. In straits that are used for international navigation between one part 
of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of 
the high seas or an exclusive economic zone, all ships and aircraft 
enjoy the right of transit passage, which shall not be impeded: 
Provided, That, if the strait is formed by an island of the Philippines 
bordering the strait and its mainland, transit passage shall not apply 
if there exists seaward of the island a route through the high seas or 
through an exclusive economic zone of similar convenience with 
respect to navigational and hydrographical characteristics.
2. Transit passage means the exercise of the freedom of navigation 
and overflight solely for the purpose of continuous and expeditious 
transit of the strait between one part of the high seas or an exclusive 
economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive 
economic zone. However, the requirement of continuous and 
expeditious transit does not preclude passage through the strait for 
the purpose of entering, leaving or returning from a State bordering 
the strait, subject to the conditions of entry to that State.
3. The provisions of this Section do not apply to a strait used for 
international navigation if there exists through the strait a route 
through the high seas or through an exclusive economic zone of 
similar convenience with respect to navigational and 
hydrographical characteristics.
SEC. 22. Duties of Ships and Aircraft during Archipelagic Sea Lanes 
Passage or Transit Passage. -
1. Ships and aircraft, while exercising the right of archipelagic sea lanes 
passage or transit passage, shall:
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a. Proceed without delay through or over the archipelagic sea 
lane or strait;
b. Refrain from any threat or use of force against the 
sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of 
the Philippines, or in any other manner in violation of the 
principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the 
United Nations;
c. Refrain from any activities other than those incident to their 
normal modes of continuous and expeditious transit unless 
rendered necessary by force majeure or by distress; and
d. Comply with other relevant provisions of this Chapter.
2. Ships in archipelagic sea lanes passage or transit passage shall:
a. Comply with generally accepted international regulations, 
procedures and practices for safety at sea, including the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea; 
and
b. Comply with generally accepted international regulations, 
procedures and practices for the prevention, reduction and 
control of pollution from ships.
3. Aircraft in archipelagic sea lanes passage or transit passage shall:
a. Observe the Rules of the Air established by the International 
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as they apply to civil 
aircraft; Provided, further. That State aircraft will normally 
comply with such safety measures and will at all times 
operate with due regard for the safety of navigation; and
b. At all times monitor the radio frequency assigned by the 
competent internationally designated air traffic control 
authority or the appropriate international distress radio 
frequency.
4. During archipelagic sea lanes passage or transit passage, foreign 
ships, including marine scientific research and hydrographic survey 
ships, may not carry out any research or survey activities without the 
prior authorization of the Philippines.
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SEC. 23. Laws and Regulations of States Bordering Straits Relating to 
Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage or Transit Passage. -
1. Foreign ships exercising the right of archipelagic sea lanes passage 
or transit passage shall comply with the laws and regulations of the 
Philippines in respect of all or any of the following:
a. The safety of navigation and the regulation of maritime 
traffic;
b. The prevention, reduction and control of pollution, by giving 
effect to applicable international regulations regarding the 
discharge of oil, oily wastes and other noxious substances in 
the archipelagic sea lanes or straits;
c. The prevention of fishing, including the stowage of fishing 
gear with respect to fishing vessels; and
d. The loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or 
person in contravention of the customs, fiscal, immigration 
or sanitary laws and regulations of the Philippines.
2. Such laws and regulations shall not discriminate in form or in fact 
among foreign ships or in their application have the practical effect 
of denying, hampering or impairing the right of transit passage as 
defined in this section.
3. The Philippines shall give due publicity to all such laws and 
regulations.
4. The flag State of a ship or die State of registry of an aircraft entitled 
to sovereign immunity which acts in a manner contrary to such laws 
and regulations shall bear international responsibility for any loss or 
damage caused to the Philippines.
SEC. 24. Other Obligations of Ships and Aircraft in Archipelagic Sea 
Lanes Passage. - In addition to the obligations under the preceding Sections:
1. Ships and aircraft in archipelagic sea lanes passage shall not deviate 
more than twenty-five (25) nautical miles to either side of the axis 
lines during passage: Provided, That such ships and aircraft shall not 
navigate closer to the coasts than 10 per cent of the distance between 
the nearest points on islands bordering the sea lane.
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2. Ships in archipelagic sea lanes passage shall respect applicable sea 
lanes and traffic separation schemes established in accordance with 
this Chapter.
SEC. 25. Duties of the Philippines on Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage 
or Transit Passage. -
1. The Philippines shall not hamper archipelagic sea lanes passage or 
transit passage and shall give appropriate publicity to any danger to 
navigation or overflight within or over the archipelagic sea lanes or 
straits of which they have knowledge.
2. The Philippines shall not suspend archipelagic sea lanes passage or 
transit passage.
CHAPTER IV
OTHER MARITIME ZONES OF THE PHILIPPINES 
A. CONTIGUOUS ZONE
SEC. 26. Contiguous Zone. — The contiguous zone of the Philippines 
shall refer to the waters beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea, extending 
twenty-four (24) nautical miles from the baselines of the territorial sea.
In its contiguous zone, the Philippines shall exercise the control necessary 
to prevent and punish violations of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary 
laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea.
B. EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE 
AND CONTINENTAL SHELF
SEC. 27. Exclusive Economic Zone. — The exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) of the Philippines shall refer to the area beyond and adjacent to the 
territorial sea and extending two hundred (200) nautical miles from the baselines 
of the territorial sea.
SEC. 28. Continental Shelf. — The continental shelf of the Philippines 
shall be comprised of the seabed and subsoil of submarine areas beyond the 
territorial sea of the Philippines, which shall extend either;
1. Throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer 
edge of the continental margin, in which case the outer limits of the
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continental self shall be determined in accordance with Article 76 of 
the UNCLOS; or
2. 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.
SEC. 29. Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the 
Continental Shelf in Relation to States with Opposite or Adjacent Coasts, -
1. The delimitation of the exclusive economic zone or the continental 
shelf between the Philippines and a State or Administrative Entity 
with an opposite or adjacent coast shall be effected by agreement on 
the basis of international law, as referred to in Article 38 of the 
Statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in order to achieve 
an equitable solution.
2. If no agreement can be reached within a reasonable period of time, 
the Philippines and the State or Administrative Entity concerned 
shall resort to the procedures provided for in Part XV of the 
UNCLOS.
3. Pending agreement as provided for in paragraph 1 of this Section, 
the Philippines and the State or Administrative Entity concerned, in 
a spirit of understanding and cooperation, shall make every effort to 
enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature and, during 
this transitional period, not to jeopardize or hamper the reaching of 
the final agreement. Such arrangements shall be without prejudice to 
the final delimitation.
4. Where there is an agreement in force between the Philippines and 
the State or Administrative Entity concerned, questions relating to 
the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and/or the 
continental shelf shall be determined in accordance with the 
provisions of that agreement.
5. Neither this Section, nor Articles 74 and 83 of the UNCLOS, shall 
apply to alleged maritime disputes or overlaps arising from the 
maritime claims of a foreign State or Administrative Entity that are 
invalid under the UNCLOS.
SEC. 30. Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction of the Philippines in the 
Exclusive Economic Zone. - Within the exclusive economic zone, the 
Philippines has:
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1. Sovereign rights 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, currents and winds;
2. Jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial 
islands, installations and structures, namely:
a. The exclusive right to construct and to authorize and regulate 
the construction, operation and use of artificial islands; 
installations and structures for the purposes provided for in 
Article 56 of UNCLOS and other economic purposes; and 
installations and structures which may interfere with the 
exercise of the rights of the Philippines in the zone.
b. Exclusive jurisdiction over such artificial islands, 
installations and structures, including jurisdiction with 
regard to customs, fiscal, health, safety and immigration laws 
and regulations.
3. Jurisdiction with regard to marine scientific research;
4. Jurisdiction with regard to the protection and preservation of the 
marine environment; and
5. Other rights and duties provided for in the UNCLOS.
SEC. 31. Rights of Foreign States in the Exclusive Economic Zone. -
1. In the exclusive economic zone, all States, whether coastal or land­
locked, enjoy, subject to the relevant provisions of the UNCLOS, the 
freedoms of navigation and overflight, and other internationally 
lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms such as those 
associated with the operation of ships and aircraft, as well as the 
laying of submarine cables and pipelines subject to Section 34 of this 
Act.
. In exercising their rights and performing their duties under the 
UNCLOS in the exclusive economic zone. States shall have due 
regard to the rights and duties of the Philippines and shall comply 
with the laws and regulations adopted by the Philippines in
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accordance with the provisions of the UNCLOS and other rules of 
international law in so far as they are not incompatible with this Act.
3. In cases where the UNCLOS does not attribute rights or jurisdiction 
to the coastal State or to other States within the exclusive economic 
zone, and a conflict arises between the interests of the Philippines as 
a coastal State and any other State or States or Administrative 
Entities, the conflict should be resolved on the basis of equity and in 
the light of all the relevant circumstances, taking into account the 
respective importance of the interests involved to the parties as well 
as to the international community as a whole.
SEC. 32. Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction of the Philippines over 
Natural Resources in the Continental Shelf. -
1. The Philippines exercises over the continental shelf sovereign rights 
for the purpose of exploring it and exploiting its natural resources, 
independent of occupation, effective or notional, or any express 
proclamation.
2. If the Philippines does not explore the continental shelf or exploit its 
natural resources, no one may undertake these activities without its 
express consent.
3. The natural resources referred to in this Section consist of the 
mineral and other non-living resources of the seabed and subsoil 
together with living organisms belonging to sedentary species, 
which shall mean organisms that, at the harvestable stage, either are 
immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in 
constant physical contact with the seabed or the subsoil.
SEC. 33. Drilling in the Continental Shelf - The Philippines shall have 
the exclusive right to authorize and regulate drilling on the continental shelf for 
all purposes.
SEC. 34. Submarine Cables and Pipelines on the Continental Shelf. -
1. All States are entitled to lay submarine cables and pipelines on the 
continental shelf, in accordance with the UNCLOS. The Philippines 
shall not impede the laying or maintenance of such cables or 
pipelines, subject to its right to take reasonable measures for the 
exploration of the continental shelf, the exploitation of its natural 
resources and the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from 
pipelines.
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2. The delineation of the course for the laying of such pipelines on the 
continental shelf is subject to the consent of the Philippines.
3. Nothing in this Section affects the right of the Philippines to establish 
conditions for cables or pipelines entering its territory or territorial 
sea, or its jurisdiction over cables and pipelines constructed or used 
in connection with the exploration of its continental shelf or 
exploitation of its resources or the operations of artificial islands, 
installations and structures under its jurisdiction.
4. When laying submarine cables or pipelines. States shall have due 
regard to cables or pipelines already in position. In particular, 
possibilities of repairing existing cables or pipelines shall not be 
prejudiced.
SEC. 35. Artificial Islands, Installations and Structures in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf. -
1. In the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, the 
Philippines shall have the exclusive right to construct and to 
authorize and regulate the construction, operation and use of:
a. Artificial islands;
b. Installations and structures for the purposes of exercising its 
rights, jurisdiction and duties in the exclusive economic zone 
and the continental shelf, and otherwise for economic 
purposes; and
c. Installations and structures that may interfere with the 
exercise of the rights of the Philippines in the zone.
The Philippines shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such artificial 
islands, installations and structures, including jurisdiction with 
regard to customs, fiscal, health, safety and immigration laws and 
regulations.
3. Due notice shall be given of the construction of such artificial 
islands, installations or structures, and permanent means for giving 
warning of their presence shall be maintained. Any installations or 
structures which are abandoned or disused shall be removed to 
ensure safety of navigation, taking into account any generally 
accepted international standards established in this regard by the 
competent international organization. Such removal shall also have
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due regard to fishing, the protection of the marine environment and 
the rights and duties of other States. Appropriate publicity shall be 
given to the depth, position and dimensions of any installations or 
structures not entirely removed.
4. Artificial islands, installations and structures do not possess the 
status of islands. They have no territorial sea of their own, and their 
presence does not affect the delimitation of the territorial sea, the 
exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf.
SEC. 36. Safety Zones around Artificial islands, Installations and 
Structures in the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf. -
1. The Philippines may, where necessary, establish reasonable safety 
zones around such artificial islands, installations and structures in 
which it may take appropriate measures to ensure the safety both of 
navigation and of the artificial islands, installations and structures. 
These zones shall be designed to ensure that they are reasonably 
related to the nature and function of the artificial islands, 
installations or structures.
2. The Philippines shall determine the breadth of the safety zones, 
taking into account applicable international standards, and shall give 
due notice of the extent of the safety zones; Provided, That their 
breadth shall not exceed a distance of five hundred (500) meters 
around them, measured from each point of their outer edge, except 
as authorized by generally accepted international standards or as 
recommended by the competent international organization.
3. All ships must respect these safety zones and shall comply with 
generally accepted international standards regarding navigation in 
the vicinity of artificial islands, installations, structures and safety 
zones.
4. Artificial islands, installations and structures, and the safety zones 
around them shall not be established where interference may be 
caused to the use of recognized sea lanes essential to international 
navigation.
SEC. 37. Payments and contributions with respect to the exploitation of 
the extended continental shelf. - The Philippines shall make payments or 
contributions in kind through the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in respect 
of the exploitation of the non-living resources in the extended continental shelf;
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provided that, it shall make no payments or contributions in respect of a mineral 
resource when it is a net importer of that mineral resource.
SEC. 38. Enforcement of Laws and Regulations in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf, -
1. The Philippines may, in the exercise of its sovereign rights to 
explore, exploit, conserve and manage the living resources in the 
exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, take such 
measures, including boarding, inspection, arrest and judicial 
proceedings, as may be necessary to ensure compliance with the laws 
and regulations adopted by it in conformity with the UNCLOS.
3.
Arrested vessels and their crews shall be promptly released upon the 
posting of reasonable bond or other security.
The penalties under Philippine law for violations of fisheries laws 
and regulations in the exclusive economic zone and the continental 
shelf may not include imprisonment, in the absence of agreements to 
the contrary with the State or Administrative Entity concerned, or 
any other form of corporal punishment.
4. In cases of arrest or detention of foreign vessels, the Philippines shall 
promptly notify the flag State, through appropriate channels, of the 
action taken and of any penalties subsequently imposed.
CHAPTER V
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL OBJECTS 
AND MARINE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
SEC. 39. Archaeological and Historical Objects Found at Sea, -
1. The Philippines shall protect objects of an archaeological and 
historical nature found at sea.
No object of an archaeological and historical nature shall be removed 
from the internal waters, archipelagic waters, and territorial sea of 
the Philippines without the express written approval of the 
Philippines.
3. This Section is without prejudice to other international agreements 
and rules of international law regarding the protection of objects of 
an archaeological and historical nature.
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SE C. 40. Maritime Scientific Research in the Internal Waters^ 
Archipelagic Waters, and the Territorial Sea of the Philippines. - No maritime 
scientific research shall be conducted in the internal waters, archipelagic waters, 
and the territorial sea of the Philippines without the express written approval of 
the Philippine Government.
SEC. 41. Marine Scientific Research in the Exclusive Economic Zone 
and the Continental Shelf. -
1. In the exercise of its jurisdiction, the Philippines has the right to 
regulate, authorize and conduct marine scientific research in then- 
exclusive economic zone and on their continental shelf in 
accordance with the relevant provisions of UNCLOS.
2. No marine scientific research shall be conducted in the exclusive 
economic zone and on the continental shelf without the express 
written consent of the Philippines.
3. The Philippines shall, in normal circumstances, and regardless of the 
absence of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the 
researching State or Administrative Entity, consent to the conduct of 
marine scientific research projects by other States or Administrative 
Entities or competent international organizations in its exclusive 
economic zone or continental shelf exclusively for peaceful purposes 
and in order to increase scientific knowledge of the marine 
environment for the benefit of all mankind.
4. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Philippines shall 
withhold its consent to the conduct of a marine scientific research 
project if that project:
a. Is of direct significance for the exploration and exploitation 
of natural resources, whether living or non-living; provided 
that, the Philippines shall not withhold consent on this 
ground to marine scientific research in the extended 
continental shelf outside those specific areas which the 
Philippines may publicly designate as areas in which 
exploitation or detailed exploratory operations focused are 
occurring or will occur within one hundred eighty (180) 
days;
b. Involves drilling into the continental shelf, the use of 
explosives or the introduction of harmful substances into the 
marine environment;
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c. Involves the construction, operation or use of artificial 
islands, installations and structures referred; or
d. Contains information conununicated pursuant to the next 
Section regarding the nature and objectives of the project 
which is inaccurate or if the researching State or 
Administrative Entity or competent international 
organization has outstanding obligations to the Philippines 
from a prior research project.
SEC. 42. Duty to provide information to the Philippines. - The State or 
Administrative Entity or competent international organization which intends to 
undertake marine scientific research in the exclusive economic zone or on the 
continental shelf of the Philippines shall, in no less than six (6) months prior to 
the commencement of the marine scientific research project, provide the 
Philippines with a fiill description of the following:
1. The nature and objectives of the project;
2. The method and means to be used, including name, tonnage, type 
and class of vessels and a description of scientific equipment;
3. The precise geographical areas in which the project is to be 
conducted;
4. The expected date of first appearance and final departure of the 
research vessels, or deployment of the equipment and its removal, as 
appropriate;
5. The name of the sponsoring institution, its director, and the person 
in charge of the project including the members of his team; and
6. The extent to which it is considered that the Philippines should be 
able to participate or to be represented in the project.
SEC. 43. Implied consent. -
1. Where the marine scientific research project is to be undertaken in 
the exclusive economic zone or the continental shelf of the 
Philippines by or under the auspices of an international organization 
of which the Philippines is a member, or with which the Philippines 
has a bilateral agreement, the Philippines shall be deemed to have 
authorized the project to be carried out in conformity with the agreed 
specifications if the Philippines approved the detailed project when
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the decision was made by the organization for the undertaking of the 
project, or is willing to participate in it, and has not expressed any 
objection within four (4) months of notification of the project by the 
organization to the Philippines.
2. A State or Administrative Entity or competent international 
organizations may proceed with a marine scientific research project 
six months after the date upon which the information required 
pursuant to Section 42 of this Act was provided to the Philippines 
unless, within four (4) months of the receipt of the communication 
containing such information, the Philippines has informed the State 
or Administrative Entity or organization conducting the research 
that:
a. It has withheld its consent;
b. The information given by that State or competent international 
organization regarding the nature or objectives of the project 
does not conform to the manifestly evident facts;
c. It requires supplementary information; or
d. Outstanding obligations exist with respect to a previous marine 
scientific research project carried out by that State or 
Administrative Entity or organization.
SEC. 44. Non-Recognition of Marine Scientific Research Activities as 
the Legal Basis for Claim. - Marine scientific research activities shall not 
constitute the legal basis for any claim to any part of the marine environment or 
its resources.
SEC. 45. Responsibility of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources. - The clearances or approvals required under this Chapter shall be 
issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in consultation 
with the relevant agencies of the Government, unless the President, by Executive 
Order, vests that authority in another department or agency.
CHAPTER VI
PROHIBITED ACTS AND THEIR PENALTIES
SEC. 46. Prohibition of Unauthorized Activities. — Except in accordance 
with the terms of any agreement entered into with the Philippines or of any license
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granted by it or under authority by the Philippines, no person shall, in relation to 
the maritime zones of the Philippines:
1. explore or exploit any resources;
2. carry out any search, excavation or drilling operations:
3. conduct any marine scientific research;
4. construct, maintain or operate any artificial island, off-shore 
terminal, installation or other structure or device; or
5. perform any act or engage in any activity which is contrary to, or in 
derogation of, the sovereign rights and jurisdiction herein provided.
Nothing herein shall be deemed a prohibition on a citizen of the 
Philippines, whether natural or juridical, against the performance of any of the 
foregoing acts, if allowed under existing laws.
SEC. 47. Prohibition of Unauthorized Removal of Objects of an 
Archaeological and Historical Nature. -
1. No person shall remove an object of an archaeological and historical 
nature from the internal waters, archipelagic waters, and territorial 
sea of the Philippines in violation of Section 39 of this Act.
2. The removal of any object of an archaeological and historical nature 
from the contiguous zone without the express written approval under 
Section 39 of this Act shall be an act in violation of this Section.
3. Nothing in this Section shall justify the punishment of identifiable 
owners of the object of an archaeological and historical nature, or of 
any person with right to remove it under the law of salvage or other 
rules of admiralty, or under laws and practices with respect to 
cultural exchanges.
SEC. 48. Penalty. - Unless a higher penalty is provided under other laws, 
any person who violates the provisions of Sections 46 and 47 of this Act shall be 
punished with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than three 
(3) years, except where imprisonment or other corporal penalty is prohibited 
under Section 38 of this Act, and/or a fine of not less than Two Million Pesos 
(PhP2,000,000.00) but not more than Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00), as 
may be determined by the court. Any acquittal or conviction under this law shall
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bar any other criminal proceeding under other laws arising from the same act or 
omission.
CHAPTER VII.
HARMONIZATION OF PHILIPPINE LAWS WITH THE UNCLOS
SEC. 49. Incorporation of All Relevant UNCLOS Provisions. — All the 
relevant provisions of the UNCLOS are hereby incorporated into this Act, to the 
extent compatible with the Constitution of the Philippines and the provisions of 
this Act, and shall govern all matters not expressly regulated by the provisions of 
this Act.
SEC. 50. General Repealing Clause. —All provisions of laws, rules and 
regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the provisions 
of the UNCLOS incorporated herein in accordance with the preceding provision 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 51. Amendment of Republic Act No. 3046. —The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 
paragraphs of the preamble of Republic Act No. 3046, and Section 2 of Republic 
Act No. 3046, are hereby repealed.
SEC. 52. Amendment of Presidential Decree No. 87. — Section 10 of 
Presidential Decree No. 87 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SEC. 10. Contract Areas. Subject to Section eighteen hereof, a contractor 
or its affiliate may enter into one or more contracts with the government. 
Contracts for offshore areas may cover any portion beneath the Philippine 
INTERNAL WATERS, ARCHIPELAGIC WATERS AND_territorial 
waters or IN its continental shelf [, or portion of continental slope, terrace 
or areaswvhich are or may be subject to Philippine jurisdiction]: Provided, 
That for offshore areas beyond water depths of 200 meters, the Petroleum 
Board may provide for more liberal terms that provided for herein with 
respect to contract area, exploration period and relinquishment.”
SEC. 53. Amendment of Presidential Decree No. 1596—. Section 1 of 
Presidential Decree No. 1596 is hereby amended to read as follows:
“SECTION 1. The [area]- ROCKS within the following 
[boundaries] LINES:
KALAYAAN [ISLAND GROUP] ISLANDS 
From a point at latitude 7o40' North and longitude 
116°00' East of Greenwich, thence due West along the
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parallel of 7° 40' N to its intersection with the meridian 
of longitude 112° 10' E, thence due north along the 
meridian of 112° 10' E to its intersection with the 
parallel of 9°00' N, thence northeastward to the inter­
section of the parallel of 12°00' N with the meridian of 
longitude 114° 30' E, thence, due East along the parallel 
of 12°00' N to its intersection with the meridian of 
118°00' E, thence, due South along the meridian of 
longitude 118° 00' E to its intersection with the parallel 
of 10°00' N, thence South westwards to the point of 
beginning at 7°40' N, latitude and 116° 00' E longitude; 
{-ineluding-the sea bed, sub soil, contineHtal-maFgin-and air-spaee-}
shall belong and be subject to the sovereignty of the Philippines.
[Such area is] THESE ROCKS ARE hereby constituted as a distinct 
and separate municipality of the Province of Palawan and shall be 
known as “Kalayaan.”
SEC. 54. Amendment of Presidential Decree No. 1599. — Presidential 
Decree No. 1599 is hereby amended to the extent that it is incompatible with this 
Act.
SEC. 55. Amendment of Republic Act No. 7942. -
1. Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 7942 is hereby repealed and 
replaced with the term “Continental Shelf’ as defmed under this Act.
2. Section 3(ai) of Republic Act No. 7942 is hereby amended to read 
as follows:
"ai. Offshore means the [water, ■ sea bottom-and subsurface from 
the shore or coastUne-reckoned from the mean low tide level-up 4o\
MARITIME ZONES OF THE PHILIPPINES, [sea and contiguous 
?me[ INCLUDING THE INTERNAL WATERS, the archipelagic 
WATERS, THE TERRITORIAL SEA, AND THE EXCLUSIVE 
ECONOMIC ZONE, AS WELL AS THE SEABED AND 
SUBSOIL OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF.”
3. All other references to the contiguous zone in Republic Act No.
7942 are hereby repealed.
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CHAPTER Vm
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 56. General Non-Prejudice Clause on Maritime Delimitation 
Negotiations or Agreements. - Unless the Philippines expressly affirms the 
contrary in accordance with the Constitution:
1. No negotiation or agreement between the Philippines and any State 
or Administrative Entity for the delimitation of any maritime zone 
shall affect, imply, or require the recognition or non-recognition by 
the Philippines of the State or Administrative Entity concerned or its 
claim to title or sovereignty over the land territory from which its 
maritime zone is drawn; and
2. Any such negotiation or agreement shall be without prejudice to the 
resolution of territorial or maritime disputes other than the maritime 
overlap subject of the negotiation or agreement.
SEC. 57. Interpretation. - The provisions of this Act shall be interpreted 
in accordance with the norms of international law.
SEC. 58. Subsisting Prohibition of Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes. - No 
provision of this Act shall be interpreted as repealing the prohibition under 
Republic Act No. 6969 against the storage, importation or bringing into 
Philippine territory and its maritime zones, even in transit, of any amount of 
hazardous and nuclear wastes.
SEC. 59. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Law of the 
Sea. - There shall be a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Law of 
the Sea (JCOCLS), which shall be composed of a total of twelve (12) members, 
to wit: the Chairpersons of the respective Committees on Foreign 
Relations/Affairs of the Senate of the Philippines and the House of 
Representatives of the Philippines, who shall serve as Co-Chairpersons of the 
JCOCLS; five (5) members selected by the Senate of the Philippines from among 
its members; and five (5) members selected by the House of Representatives of 
the Philippines from among its members.
The JCOCLS shall conduct a hearing at least once every quarter to review the 
implementation of this Act, and to identify other necessary legislation.
SEC. 60. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred 
twenty (120) calendar days from the effect!vity of this Act, the Implementing 
Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act shall be issued by the Department of 
Foreign Affairs, after due consultation with the Department of National Defense,
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Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coast Guard, and other relevant 
agencies of the Executive Branch. A copy of the IRR shall be submitted to the 
JCOCLS.
SEC. 61. Due Publicity of Geographical Coordinates. -
1. The baselines of the territorial sea, the outer limits and metes and 
bounds of the maritime zones under this Act, and the lines of 
delimitation drawn under this Act, shall be shown on charts of a scale 
or scales adequate for ascertaining their position. Alternatively, a list 
of geographical coordinates of points, specifying the geodetic datum, 
may be substituted.
2. The Philippines shall give due publicity to such charts or lists of 
these geographical coordinates and shall deposit a copy of each such 
chart or list with the Secretary General of the United Nations.
3. The National Mapping and Resource Administration Authority shall 
be responsible for the preparation of charts or lists of these 
geographical coordinates under this Section.
4. A copy of the geographical coordinates under this Section shall be 
submitted to the JCOCLS.
CHAPTER IX 
FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 62. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, 
insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in foil force and 
effect.
SEC. 63. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
SEC. 64. Deposit. - Within sixty (60) days from its effectivity, a copy of 
this Act shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations 
Organization.
Approved,
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