NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The West Philippine Sea,   crossed by some of the world’s busiest sea-lanes, has rich 
fishing grounds and is believed to have vast energy reserves,  is home to a myriad of 
competing territorial claims including those involving the Spratly Islands and the Scarborough 
Shoal.  
These islands are being claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia 
and Taiwan as these islands, reefs and coral outcrops are believed to be rich in oil and gas 
and these overlapping claims have long been feared as Asia’s next source of tension which 
could lead to armed conflict. 
As early as April, 2012, a Philippine Navy surveillance plane spotted eight Chinese 
fishing vessels anchored in a lagoon at Scarborough which prompted the military to deploy its 
largest warship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, which was recently acquired from the United 
States; and upon boarding the Chinese fishing vessels for an inspection, Filipino sailors 
discovered large amounts of illegally collected coral, giant clams and live sharks inside the 
first boat which only shows that the Chinese fishermen had been engaged in illegal fishing 
and harvesting of endangered marine species. 
This incident brought about the current stand-off between the Philippines and China in 
the Scarborough Shoal which is causing increased tension between the two countries 
involved.  
The Philippines relation with China is starting to plunge with both sides pressing their 
conflicting claims not only to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal but also the Spratly Islands 
group. And aside from China, we should also be cautious and be prepared to defend our 
territory against the claims of other countries over the islands and areas in the West Philippine 
Sea. 
 It is therefore imperative that a government office be created dedicated exclusively to 
the West Philippine Sea. It will focus on studying our claims and propose measures on how 
to defend and prosecute such claims. It will also propose measures on how we can develop 
the area and all the natural resources there for the benefit of our country. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 11, 2023
8:00 am
7824


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE CENTER FOR WEST PHILIPPINE SEA STUDIES ATTACHED TO THE 
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Assembled 
SECTION  1. Declaration of Policy – It is the policy of the State to preserve its sovereignty 
over the islands that it owns in the West Philippine Sea and its territorial sea, contiguous 
zones, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the United Nations 
Convention on the Law of the Sea. 
SEC 2. Creation – There is hereby created  a Center for  West Philippine Sea Studies attached 
to the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Office of Special and Ocean Concerns. 
SEC 3. Duties and Responsibilities – The Center on the West Philippine Sea shall have the 
following duties and responsibilities:  
a)
Study the basis of the claims of the Philippines over the waters and the
islands in the West Philippine Sea under the United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea, international law, local laws and historical data;
b)
Propose actions and measures in order to defend and prosecute our claims
against claims of other neighboring countries;
c)
Prepare concrete plans on how to develop and fully utilize all the natural
resources in the area; and
d)
Perform such other duties and responsibilities that would strengthen our
sovereignty and other claims over the area.
e)
Perform  other functions  as  may be  directed  by the  President of the
Philippines in relation to concerns over the West Philippine Sea
SEC 4. Organizational Structure – The Center for West Philippine Sea Studies herein created 
shall be headed by an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.  He shall 
exercise supervision and control of said Center.   
The Center on the West Philippine Sea shall prescribe  and  define its  position 
structure  and  staffing  pattern  subject  to  existing  civil service  laws,  rules  and  regulations. 
The  positions  subsequently  created  herein shall  be  filled  by  the  regular  appointments. 
Provided, that appointments must comply with the qualifications standards set by Civil Service 
Commission.  
SEC 5. Appropriations – The amount  of Fifty  Million  Pesos (P50,000,000)  not otherwise 
appropriated  shall  be  initially appropriated  out of the  funds  of the  National  Treasury for 
the purpose of funding the creation of the Center on the West Philippine Sea.  Subsequent 
appropriations shall be provided by Congress in the Annual Budget of the Department of 
Foreign Affairs under the General Appropriations Act.  
7824


SEC 6. Separability Clause – If any provision of this Act or the application thereof is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, the same shall not affect the validity of the other 
provisions. 
 
SEC 7. Repealing Clause – All laws, presidential decrees and issuances, executive orders, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC 8. Effectivity Clause – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its full 
publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, 
whichever is earlier. 
 
Approved,