Senator Tolentino pointed out during Monday’s plenary session that the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act would stand as a testament of the nation’s adherence to the principles of the international law. (Voltaire F. Domingo / Senate Social Media Unit)
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, said the conference from both houses of Congress have decided to adopt the Senate version of the measure [Senate Bill No. 2492] “with an amendment on the reciprocity provision.”
READ: Philippine Maritime Zones bill secures Senate OK on third reading
According to Tolentino, the bicameral version of the bill is being circulated among their counterparts in the House of Representatives for signature.
It, however, has yet to be ratified.
“Then, the bill will be enrolled and transmitted to the President for signature. It becomes a law once signed by the President or upon the lapse of 30 days from transmittal to the President,” Tolentino said.
“Once the bill becomes the Maritime Zones Act after the President signed it into law, the Philippines shall exercise all other maritime rights and jurisdictions per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award, international law, and other pertinent laws and regulations of the Philippines,” he added.
‘Penal sanctions’
Under the measure, Tolentino said penal sanctions are also included, explaining that it will be the basis of penalties that the country would impose over territories who violate Philippine rights.
READ: Senate panel recommends declaration of maritime zones under PH territory
“Section 16 of the approved bicameral version states that any violation of the Philippines’ rights shall be addressed and penalized through pertinent existing laws and regulations. In the absence thereof, any violation shall be subject to an administrative fine of not less than $600,000 but not more than $1 million, or the equivalent in Philippine currency,” Tolentino explained.
The senator believes that the creation of a Maritime Zones Act had been “long overdue,” but is now “more immediate” considering the increasing cases of aggressive actions in Philippine waters.