On the occasion of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) next Monday, July 24, Maritime security experts are calling for the President to prioritize the passage of the Maritime Zones Law.

The Maritime Zones Law will declare the Philippine maritime zones based on standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It will also clarify the geographical extent of the Philippine maritime domain and the legal powers that the Philippine government may exercise. The House of Representatives approved House Bill 7819 or the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act in May 2023, while several versions of the Maritime Zones Bill have been filed in the Senate.

The enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act will be one of the most fundamental and important steps to implement the South China Sea Arbitration Award. In 2016, the Arbitral Ruling declared China’s “nine-dash line” and claim to historic rights in the South China Sea as unlawful, as well as certain maritime features and other activities in Philippine waters.

“The current administration has made progress in securing our territorial integrity and protecting our rights. It must be recalled that during Pres. Marcos’ first SONA, he mentioned that we will not give a square inch of territory to any foreign power. The maritime zones law will do just that and more,” said Julio Amador III, founder of Amador Research Services (ARS) and Senior Adviser for the Waypoints Project, during a media roundtable.

“The Maritime Zones Law will not only delineate the country’s maritime zones, but will also serve as a foundational policy that can help improve implementation of current and subsequent maritime laws. We strongly urge the president and congress to pass the maritime zones law within the year,” he continued.

The bill outlines a comprehensive framework in managing, protecting, regulating, and developing ocean resources and maritime spaces, consistent with the UNCLOS. Passing the law helps achieve the Philippine obligation to harmonize domestic law with the UNCLOS.

"The passing of the Maritime Zones Law could be a matter of personal significance to the President, who is the son of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. It was under Marcos Sr.'s presidency that the Philippines began asserting claims to these extended areas of maritime jurisdiction,” said Prof. Jay Batongbacal, Director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea and Waypoints Senior Adviser. “The enactment of the Maritime Zones Law would complete his father’s legacy to the country.”

UNCLOS, considered as the constitution of the oceans, promotes and highlights the importance of having rules-based order in maritime governance and allocates maritime zones to coastal and archipelagic states. The Philippines ratified the UNCLOS in 1984 and is a State party to the Convention.


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The Waypoints Project would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to you for the event "Kasiguruhan sa Karagatan: Strengthening the Implementation of the South China Sea Arbitral Award" on July 27, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will take place at the UP Law Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. To attend, please register through this link: www.bit.ly/waypointsregistration.