TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
oft
25 JUL 14 P4 :03
S.B. No.
SENATE
5^78
RECEiVf .
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
DECLARING JULY 12 AS THE NATIONAL WEST PHILIPPINE SEA VICTORY 
DAY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES' TRIUMPH BEFORE THE 
PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to formalize the annual commemoration of the landmark victory 
of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. It reaffirms the country's adherence to 
the generally accepted principles of international law and commitment to peace, 
justice, and international law, as the Constitution commands.1
On July 12, 2016, the Philippines secured a decisive victory in a landmark 
decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands. The 
PCA concluded that China's claims to historic rights over most of the South China Sea, 
represented by the so-called "nine-dash line," had no legal basis under the United 
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ruling also affirmed the 
Philippines' rights over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf in the 
West Philippine Sea.
Despite the decision of the PCA, Chinese vessels remain in the Panatag Shoal 
and other parts of the West Philippine Sea. They continue to harass and threaten 
Filipino fisherfolk and prevent them from exercising their traditional and legal fishing 
rights in the area. Unlawful Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea are estimated 
to have caused at least Thirty-Three Billion Pesos of damage annually to marine 
ecosystems within the Philippines' continental shelf and exclusive economic zone since 
the filing of the arbitration case in 2013.2
Declaring July 12 as the West Philippine Sea Victory Day will keep the spirit of 
our nation's landmark triumph alive in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people. 
This commemoration will underscore the profound economic and ecological
1 Article II, Section 2, 1987 Constitution.
2 Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs, Cost of China Damage to PH Reefs: P33B a Year, https://imoa.ph/cost-of-china-
damage-to-ph-reefs-p33b-a-year/ (last accessed July 6, 2025)


significance of the West Philippine Sea—an enduring symbol of our sovereignty, 
natural wealth, and commitment to the rule of law.
Hence, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
A^eJlQ-
Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
■(©fli:!* nt t-'' ■
25 JUL14 P4--03
SENATE 
S.B. No. ^ ^
RKCEIV
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
DECLARING JULY 12 AS THE NATIONAL WEST PHILIPPINE SEA VICTORY 
DAY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES' TRIUMPH BEFORE THE 
PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. National West Philippine Sea Victory Day. - In order to 
commemorate the Philippines' triumph on the West Philippine Sea dispute before the 
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, July twelve of every 
year is declared the National West Philippine Sea Victory Day which will be observed 
annually as a special working holiday.
Sec. 2. Lead Agency. - The Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with 
relevant government agencies, is designated as the lead agency in organizing and 
coordinating activities for the National West Philippine Sea Victory Day. The planned 
activities must highlight the importance of the historic PCA decision upholding the 
Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, inspire and instill a sense of 
patriotism and pride in every Filipino, constantly remind the government to continually 
uphold our sovereign rights and territorial integrity, and emphasize that the policies 
the government must pursue are consistent with the PCA ruling. These activities may 
include but are not limited to educational campaigns, seminars, forums, and cultural 
events to emphasize the historical, economic and ecological significance of the said 
ruling. The campaign shall utilize various media platforms, including but not limited to 
television, radio, print, and online channels.


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Sec. 3. Appropriations. - This Act will be implemented initially within the
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framework of the budget of the DFA for the year it is enacted into law. As far as
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practicable, the funds required will be drawn from its line budget appropriations for
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policy formulation, development, conduct of personnel development, technical
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research, publication and dissemination of studies on Philippine foreign policy.
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Thereafter, the amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act will
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be included in the budget of the DFA in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act
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is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected will
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continue in full force and effect.
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Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
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rules and regulations, and other issuances, or part or parts thereof, inconsistent with
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the provisions of this Act, are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 6. Effectivity. - This Act will take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
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in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,