Senate Ratifies PH Maritime Zones Act Bicam Report
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act on Monday.
According to Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Senate’s special panel on maritime and admiralty zones, the conference from both houses of Congress decided to adopt the Senate version of the measure [Senate Bill No. 2492] with an amendment on the reciprocity provision.
Tolentino mentioned that the bicameral version of the bill is currently being circulated among their counterparts in the House of Representatives for signature, but it has yet to be ratified.
Once ratified, the bill will be enrolled and transmitted to the President for signature. It will become a law once signed by the President or after 30 days from transmittal.
The Maritime Zones Act, once signed into law by the President, will enable the Philippines to exercise all its maritime rights and jurisdictions as per relevant international conventions and laws.
The measure also includes penal sanctions, which will serve as the basis for penalties imposed on territories violating Philippine rights.
Tolentino emphasized that the creation of a Maritime Zones Act has been long overdue and is now more pressing due to increasing cases of aggressive actions in Philippine waters.
