Philippine Maritime Zones bill secures Senate OK on third reading

Sen. Francis  Tolentino  (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2492 — a landmark bill seeking to establish Philippine Maritime Zones.

The measure secured the upper chamber’s final nod during Monday’s plenary session with 23 affirmative, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions.

Senator Francis Tolentino, chairperson of the chamber’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, said the measure sets the archipelagic boundaries, the country’s internal waters and exclusive economic zones over which the Philippine Government exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction.

“Under the measure, the Philippine sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its Exclusive Economic Zone in the West Philippine Sea are highlighted together with the Benham Rise now known as Talampas ng Pilipinas,” said Tolentino who also sponsored the bill.

In a separate statement issued Monday, Tolentino emphasized that the measure would serve as “the cornerstone” of Philippine maritime policy, adding that it would also protect the rights of Filipino fishermen.

“Within the maritime zones law, we can forge more alliances with other countries, under a rules-based international order in compliance with UNCLOS,” he added.