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ENBANC

PROF.MERLINM.MAGALLONA,G.RNo.187167
AKBAYANPARTYLISTREP.RISA
HONTIVEROS,PROF.HARRYC.Present:
ROQUE,JR.,ANDUNIVERSITYOF
THEPHILIPPINESCOLLEGEOFCORONA,C.J.,
LAWSTUDENTS,ALITHEACARPIO,
BARBARAACAS,VOLTAIREVELASCO,JR.,
ALFERES,CZARINAMAYLEONARDODECASTRO,
ALTEZ,FRANCISALVINASILO,BRION,
SHERYLBALOT,RUBYAMORPERALTA,
BARRACA,JOSEJAVIERBAUTISTA,BERSAMIN,
ROMINABERNARDO,VALERIEDELCASTILLO,
PAGASABUENAVENTURA,EDANABAD,
MARRICAETE,VANNALLENVILLARAMA,JR.,
DELACRUZ,RENEDELORINO,PEREZ,
PAULYNMAYDUMAN,SHARONMENDOZA,and
ESCOTO,RODRIGOFAJARDOIII,SERENO,JJ.
GIRLIEFERRER,RAOULLEOSEN
FERRER,CARLAREGINAGREPO,
ANNAMARIECECILIAGO,IRISH
KAYKALAW,MARYANNJOYLEE,
MARIALUISAMANALAYSAY,
MIGUELRAFAELMUSNGI,
MICHAELOCAMPO,JAKLYNHANNA
PINEDA,WILLIAMRAGAMAT,
MARICARRAMOS,ENRIKFORT
REVILLAS,JAMESMARKTERRY
RIDON,JOHANNFRANTZRIVERAIV,
CHRISTIANRIVERO,DIANNEMARIE
ROA,NICHOLASSANTIZO,MELISSA
CHRISTINASANTOS,CRISTINEMAE
TABING,VANESSAANNETORNO,
MARIAESTERVANGUARDIA,and
MARCELINOVELOSOIII,
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Petitioners,

versus
HON.EDUARDOERMITA,INHIS
CAPACITYASEXECUTIVE
SECRETARY,HON.ALBERTO
ROMULO,INHISCAPACITYAS
SECRETARYOFTHEDEPARTMENT
OFFOREIGNAFFAIRS,HON.
ROLANDOANDAYA,INHISCAPACITY
ASSECRETARYOFTHEDEPARTMENT
OFBUDGETANDMANAGEMENT,
HON.DIONYVENTURA,INHIS
CAPACITYASADMINISTRATOROF
THENATIONALMAPPING&
RESOURCEINFORMATION
AUTHORITY,andHON.HILARIO
DAVIDE,JR.,INHISCAPACITYAS
REPRESENTATIVEOFTHE
PERMANENTMISSIONOFTHE
REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINESPromulgated:
TOTHEUNITEDNATIONS,
Respondents.July16,2011
xx

DECISION

CARPIO,J.:

TheCase

ThisoriginalactionforthewritsofcertiorariandprohibitionassailstheconstitutionalityofRepublicAct
No.95221(RA9522)adjustingthecountrysarchipelagicbaselinesandclassifyingthebaselineregimeof
nearbyterritories.

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TheAntecedents

In1961,CongresspassedRepublicActNo.3046(RA3046)2demarcatingthemaritimebaselinesofthe
PhilippinesasanarchipelagicState.3ThislawfollowedtheframingoftheConventionontheTerritorialSea
andtheContiguousZonein1958(UNCLOSI),4codifying,amongothers,thesovereignrightofStates
partiesovertheirterritorialsea,thebreadthofwhich,however,wasleftundetermined.Attemptstofillthis
voidduringthesecondroundofnegotiationsinGenevain1960(UNCLOSII)provedfutile.Thus,
domestically,RA3046remainedunchangedfornearlyfivedecades,saveforlegislationpassedin1968
(RepublicActNo.5446[RA5446])correctingtypographicalerrorsandreservingthedrawingofbaselines
aroundSabahinNorthBorneo.

InMarch2009,CongressamendedRA3046byenactingRA9522,thestatutenowunderscrutiny.The
changewaspromptedbytheneedtomakeRA3046compliantwiththetermsoftheUnitedNations
ConventionontheLawoftheSea(UNCLOSIII),5whichthePhilippinesratifiedon27February1984.6
Amongothers,UNCLOSIIIprescribesthewaterlandratio,length,andcontourofbaselinesofarchipelagic
StateslikethePhilippines7andsetsthedeadlineforthefilingofapplicationfortheextendedcontinental
shelf.8Complyingwiththeserequirements,RA9522shortenedonebaseline,optimizedthelocationofsome
basepointsaroundthePhilippinearchipelagoandclassifiedadjacentterritories,namely,theKalayaanIsland
Group(KIG)andtheScarboroughShoal,asregimesofislandswhoseislandsgeneratetheirownapplicable
maritimezones.

Petitioners,professorsoflaw,lawstudentsandalegislator,intheirrespectivecapacitiesascitizens,
taxpayersorxxxlegislators,9asthecasemaybe,assailtheconstitutionalityofRA9522ontwoprincipal
grounds,namely:(1)RA9522reducesPhilippinemaritimeterritory,andlogically,thereachofthe
Philippinestatessovereignpower,inviolationofArticle1ofthe1987Constitution,10embodyingtheterms
oftheTreatyofParis11andancillarytreaties,12and(2)RA9522opensthecountryswaterslandwardofthe
baselinestomaritimepassagebyallvesselsandaircrafts,underminingPhilippinesovereigntyandnational
security,contraveningthecountrysnuclearfreepolicy,anddamagingmarineresources,inviolationof
relevantconstitutionalprovisions.13

Inaddition,petitionerscontendthatRA9522streatmentoftheKIGasregimeofislandsnotonly
resultsinthelossofalargemaritimeareabutalsoprejudicesthelivelihoodofsubsistencefishermen.14To
buttresstheirargumentofterritorialdiminution,petitionersfaciallyattackRA9522forwhatitexcludedand
includeditsfailuretoreferenceeithertheTreatyofParisorSabahanditsuseofUNCLOSIIIsframework
ofregimeofislandstodeterminethemaritimezonesoftheKIGandtheScarboroughShoal.

Commentingonthepetition,respondentofficialsraisedthresholdissuesquestioning(1)thepetitions
compliancewiththecaseorcontroversyrequirementforjudicialreviewgroundedonpetitionersalleged
lackoflocusstandiand(2)theproprietyofthewritsofcertiorariandprohibitiontoassailthe
constitutionalityofRA9522.Onthemerits,respondentsdefendedRA9522asthecountryscompliance
withthetermsofUNCLOSIII,preservingPhilippineterritoryovertheKIGorScarboroughShoal.
RespondentsaddthatRA9522doesnotunderminethecountryssecurity,environmentandeconomic
interestsorrelinquishthePhilippinesclaimoverSabah.
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Respondentsalsoquestionthenormativeforce,underinternationallaw,ofpetitionersassertionthat
whatSpaincededtotheUnitedStatesundertheTreatyofParisweretheislandsandallthewatersfound
withintheboundariesoftherectangularareadrawnundertheTreatyofParis.

Weleftunactedpetitionersprayerforaninjunctivewrit.

TheIssues

Thepetitionraisesthefollowingissues:

1.Preliminarily

1.Whetherpetitionerspossesslocusstanditobringthissuitand
2.Whetherthewritsofcertiorariandprohibitionaretheproperremediestoassailtheconstitutionality

ofRA9522.

2.Onthemerits,whetherRA9522isunconstitutional.

TheRulingoftheCourt
Onthethresholdissues,weholdthat(1)petitionerspossesslocusstanditobringthissuitascitizensand(2)
thewritsofcertiorariandprohibitionareproperremediestotesttheconstitutionalityofRA9522.Onthe
merits,wefindnobasistodeclareRA9522unconstitutional.

OntheThresholdIssues

PetitionersPossessLocus
StandiasCitizens

Petitionersthemselvesunderminetheirassertionoflocusstandiaslegislatorsandtaxpayersbecausethe
petitionallegesneitherinfringementoflegislativeprerogative15normisuseofpublicfunds,16occasionedby
thepassageandimplementationofRA9522.Nonetheless,werecognizepetitionerslocusstandiascitizens
withconstitutionallysufficientinterestintheresolutionofthemeritsofthecasewhichundoubtedlyraises
issuesofnationalsignificancenecessitatingurgentresolution.Indeed,owingtothepeculiarnatureofRA
9522,itisunderstandablydifficulttofindotherlitigantspossessingamoredirectandspecificinterestto
bringthesuit,thussatisfyingoneoftherequirementsforgrantingcitizenshipstanding.17

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TheWritsofCertiorariandProhibition
AreProperRemediestoTest
theConstitutionalityofStatutes

Inprayingforthedismissalofthepetitiononpreliminarygrounds,respondentsseekastrictobservanceof
theofficesofthewritsofcertiorariandprohibition,notingthatthewritscannotissueabsentanyshowingof
graveabuseofdiscretionintheexerciseofjudicial,quasijudicialorministerialpowersonthepartof
respondentsandresultingprejudiceonthepartofpetitioners.18

Respondentssubmissionholdstrueinordinarycivilproceedings.WhenthisCourtexercisesits
constitutionalpowerofjudicialreview,however,wehave,bytradition,viewedthewritsofcertiorariand
prohibitionasproperremedialvehiclestotesttheconstitutionalityofstatutes,19andindeed,ofactsofother
branchesofgovernment.20Issuesofconstitutionalimportaresometimescraftedoutofstatuteswhich,while
havingnobearingonthepersonalinterestsofthepetitioners,carrysuchrelevanceinthelifeofthisnation
thattheCourtinevitablyfindsitselfconstrainedtotakecognizanceofthecaseandpassupontheissues
raised,noncompliancewiththeletterofproceduralrulesnotwithstanding.Thestatutesoughttobe
reviewedhereisonesuchlaw.
RA9522isNotUnconstitutional

RA9522isaStatutoryTool
toDemarcatetheCountrys
MaritimeZonesandContinental
ShelfUnderUNCLOSIII,notto
DelineatePhilippineTerritory

PetitionerssubmitthatRA9522dismembersalargeportionofthenationalterritory21becauseitdiscardsthe
preUNCLOSIIIdemarcationofPhilippineterritoryundertheTreatyofParisandrelatedtreaties,
successivelyencodedinthedefinitionofnationalterritoryunderthe1935,1973and1987Constitutions.
Petitionerstheorizethatthisconstitutionaldefinitiontrumpsanytreatyorstatutoryprovisiondenyingthe
Philippinessovereigncontroloverwaters,beyondtheterritorialsearecognizedatthetimeoftheTreatyof
Paris,thatSpainsupposedlycededtotheUnitedStates.PetitionersarguethatfromtheTreatyofParis
technicaldescription,Philippinesovereigntyoverterritorialwatersextendshundredsofnauticalmiles
aroundthePhilippinearchipelago,embracingtherectangularareadelineatedintheTreatyofParis.22

Petitionerstheoryfailstopersuadeus.

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UNCLOSIIIhasnothingtodowiththeacquisition(orloss)ofterritory.Itisamultilateraltreaty
regulating,amongothers,seauserightsovermaritimezones(i.e.,theterritorialwaters[12nauticalmiles
fromthebaselines],contiguouszone[24nauticalmilesfromthebaselines],exclusiveeconomiczone[200
nauticalmilesfromthebaselines]),andcontinentalshelvesthatUNCLOSIIIdelimits.23UNCLOSIIIwas
theculminationofdecadeslongnegotiationsamongUnitedNationsmemberstocodifynormsregulating
theconductofStatesintheworldsoceansandsubmarineareas,recognizingcoastalandarchipelagicStates
graduatedauthorityoveralimitedspanofwatersandsubmarinelandsalongtheircoasts.

Ontheotherhand,baselineslawssuchasRA9522areenactedbyUNCLOSIIIStatespartiesto
markoutspecificbasepointsalongtheircoastsfromwhichbaselinesaredrawn,eitherstraightorcontoured,
toserveasgeographicstartingpointstomeasurethebreadthofthemaritimezonesandcontinentalshelf.
Article48ofUNCLOSIIIonarchipelagicStateslikeourscouldnotbeanyclearer:

Article48.Measurementofthebreadthoftheterritorialsea,thecontiguouszone,theexclusive
economiczoneandthecontinentalshelf.Thebreadthoftheterritorialsea,thecontiguouszone,the
exclusiveeconomiczoneandthecontinentalshelfshallbemeasuredfromarchipelagicbaselinesdrawn
inaccordancewitharticle47.(Emphasissupplied)

Thus,baselineslawsarenothingbutstatutorymechanismsforUNCLOSIIIStatespartiestodelimit
withprecisiontheextentoftheirmaritimezonesandcontinentalshelves.Inturn,thisgivesnoticetotherest
oftheinternationalcommunityofthescopeofthemaritimespaceandsubmarineareaswithinwhichStates
partiesexercisetreatybasedrights,namely,theexerciseofsovereigntyoverterritorialwaters(Article2),
thejurisdictiontoenforcecustoms,fiscal,immigration,andsanitationlawsinthecontiguouszone(Article
33),andtherighttoexploitthelivingandnonlivingresourcesintheexclusiveeconomiczone(Article56)
andcontinentalshelf(Article77).

EvenunderpetitionerstheorythatthePhilippineterritoryembracestheislandsandallthewaters
withintherectangularareadelimitedintheTreatyofParis,thebaselinesofthePhilippineswouldstillhave
tobedrawninaccordancewithRA9522becausethisistheonlywaytodrawthebaselinesinconformity
withUNCLOSIII.Thebaselinescannotbedrawnfromtheboundariesorotherportionsoftherectangular
areadelineatedintheTreatyofParis,butfromtheoutermostislandsanddryingreefsofthearchipelago.24

UNCLOSIIIanditsancillarybaselineslawsplaynoroleintheacquisition,enlargementor,as
petitionersclaim,diminutionofterritory.Undertraditionalinternationallawtypology,Statesacquire(or
conversely,lose)territorythroughoccupation,accretion,cessionandprescription,25notbyexecuting
multilateraltreatiesontheregulationsofseauserightsorenactingstatutestocomplywiththetreatysterms
todelimitmaritimezonesandcontinentalshelves.TerritorialclaimstolandfeaturesareoutsideUNCLOS
III,andareinsteadgovernedbytherulesongeneralinternationallaw.26

RA9522sUseoftheFramework
ofRegimeofIslandstoDeterminethe
MaritimeZonesoftheKIGandthe
ScarboroughShoal,notInconsistent
withthePhilippinesClaimofSovereignty
OvertheseAreas
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PetitionersnextsubmitthatRA9522suseofUNCLOSIIIsregimeofislandsframeworktodrawthe
baselines,andtomeasurethebreadthoftheapplicablemaritimezonesoftheKIG,weakensourterritorial
claimoverthatarea.27PetitionersaddthattheKIGs(andScarboroughShoals)exclusionfromthePhilippine
archipelagicbaselinesresultsinthelossofabout15,000squarenauticalmilesofterritorialwaters,
prejudicingthelivelihoodofsubsistencefishermen.28Acomparisonoftheconfigurationofthebaselines
drawnunderRA3046andRA9522andtheextentofmaritimespaceencompassedbyeachlaw,coupled
withareadingofthetextofRA9522anditscongressionaldeliberations,visvisthePhilippinesobligations
underUNCLOSIII,beliethisview.

TheconfigurationofthebaselinesdrawnunderRA3046andRA9522showsthatRA9522merely
followedthebasepointsmappedbyRA3046,saveforatleastninebasepointsthatRA9522skippedto
optimizethelocationofbasepointsandadjustthelengthofonebaseline(andthuscomplywithUNCLOS
IIIslimitationonthemaximumlengthofbaselines).UnderRA3046,asunderRA9522,theKIGandthe
ScarboroughShoallieoutsideofthebaselinesdrawnaroundthePhilippinearchipelago.Thisundeniable
cartographicfacttakesthewindoutofpetitionersargumentbrandingRA9522asastatutoryrenunciationof
thePhilippinesclaimovertheKIG,assumingthatbaselinesarerelevantforthispurpose.

Petitionersassertionoflossofabout15,000squarenauticalmilesofterritorialwatersunderRA9522is
similarlyunfoundedbothinfactandlaw.Onthecontrary,RA9522,byoptimizingthelocationof
basepoints,increasedthePhilippinestotalmaritimespace(coveringitsinternalwaters,territorialseaand
exclusiveeconomiczone)by145,216squarenauticalmiles,asshowninthetablebelow:29
Extentofmaritimearea

Extentofmaritime

usingRA3046,as

areausingRA9522,

amended,takinginto

takingintoaccount

accounttheTreatyofParis

UNCLOSIII(in

delimitation(insquare

squarenautical

nauticalmiles)

miles)

166,858

171,435

Territorial

274,136

32,106

Exclusive

Internalor
archipelagic
waters

Sea

Economic

382,669

Zone
TOTAL

440,994

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Thus,asthemapbelowshows,thereachoftheexclusiveeconomiczonedrawnunderRA9522even
extendswaybeyondthewaterscoveredbytherectangulardemarcationundertheTreatyofParis.Ofcourse,
wherethereareoverlappingexclusiveeconomiczonesofoppositeoradjacentStates,therewillhavetobea
delineationofmaritimeboundariesinaccordancewithUNCLOSIII.30

Further,petitionersargumentthattheKIGnowliesoutsidePhilippineterritorybecausethebaselinesthat
RA9522drawsdonotenclosetheKIGisnegatedbyRA9522itself.Section2ofthelawcommitstotext
thePhilippinescontinuedclaimofsovereigntyandjurisdictionovertheKIGandtheScarboroughShoal:

SEC.2.ThebaselinesinthefollowingareasoverwhichthePhilippineslikewiseexercises
sovereigntyandjurisdictionshallbedeterminedasRegimeofIslandsundertheRepublicofthe
PhilippinesconsistentwithArticle121oftheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea
(UNCLOS):
a)TheKalayaanIslandGroupasconstitutedunderPresidentialDecreeNo.1596and
b)BajodeMasinloc,alsoknownasScarboroughShoal.(Emphasissupplied)

HadCongressinRA9522enclosedtheKIGandtheScarboroughShoalaspartofthePhilippine
archipelago,adverselegaleffectswouldhaveensued.ThePhilippineswouldhavecommittedabreachof
twoprovisionsofUNCLOSIII.First,Article47(3)ofUNCLOSIIIrequiresthat[t]hedrawingofsuch
baselinesshallnotdeparttoanyappreciableextentfromthegeneralconfigurationofthearchipelago.
Second,Article47(2)ofUNCLOSIIIrequiresthatthelengthofthebaselinesshallnotexceed100nautical
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miles,saveforthreepercent(3%)ofthetotalnumberofbaselineswhichcanreachupto125nautical
miles.31

AlthoughthePhilippineshasconsistentlyclaimedsovereigntyovertheKIG32andtheScarborough
Shoalforseveraldecades,theseoutlyingareasarelocatedatanappreciabledistancefromthenearest
shorelineofthePhilippinearchipelago,33suchthatanystraightbaselinelopedaroundthemfromthenearest
basepointwillinevitablydeparttoanappreciableextentfromthegeneralconfigurationofthearchipelago.

TheprincipalsponsorofRA9522intheSenate,SenatorMiriamDefensorSantiago,tookpainsto
emphasizetheforegoingduringtheSenatedeliberations:

WhatwecalltheKalayaanIslandGrouporwhattherestoftheworldcall[]theSpratlysandthe
ScarboroughShoalareoutsideourarchipelagicbaselinebecauseifweputtheminsideourbaselineswe
mightbeaccusedofviolatingtheprovisionofinternationallawwhichstates:Thedrawingofsuch
baselineshallnotdeparttoanyappreciableextentfromthegeneralconfigurationofthearchipelago.So
saloobngatingbaseline,dapatmagkalapitangmgaislands.DahilmalayoangScarboroughShoal,hindi
natinmasasabingmalapitsilasaatinalthoughwearestillallowedbyinternationallawtoclaimthemas
ourown.

Thisiscalledcontestedislandsoutsideourconfiguration.Weseethatourarchipelagoisdefinedbythe
orangelinewhich[we]call[]archipelagicbaseline.Ngayon,tingnanninyoangmaliitnacircledoonsa
itaas,thatisScarboroughShoal,itongmalakingcirclesaibaba,thatisKalayaanGrouportheSpratlys.
Malayonasilasaatingarchipelagokayakungilihispanatinangdatingarchipelagicbaselinespara
lamangmasamaitongdalawangcircles,hindinasilamagkalapitatbakahindinatatanggapinngUnited
Nationsbecauseoftherulethatitshouldfollowthenaturalconfigurationofthearchipelago.34(Emphasis
supplied)

Similarly,thelengthofonebaselinethatRA3046drewexceededUNCLOSIIIslimits.Theneedto
shortenthisbaseline,andinaddition,tooptimizethelocationofbasepointsusingcurrentmaps,became
imperativeasdiscussedbyrespondents:

[T]heamendmentofthebaselineslawwasnecessarytoenablethePhilippinestodrawtheouter
limitsofitsmaritimezonesincludingtheextendedcontinentalshelfinthemannerprovidedbyArticle47
of[UNCLOSIII].AsdefinedbyR.A.3046,asamendedbyR.A.5446,thebaselinessufferfromsome
technicaldeficiencies,towit:

1.ThelengthofthebaselineacrossMoroGulf(fromMiddleof3RockAwashtoTongquilPoint)is140.06
nauticalmilesxxx.ThisexceedsthemaximumlengthallowedunderArticle47(2)ofthe[UNCLOSIII],
whichstatesthatThelengthofsuchbaselinesshallnotexceed100nauticalmiles,exceptthatupto3per
centofthetotalnumberofbaselinesenclosinganyarchipelagomayexceedthatlength,uptoamaximum
lengthof125nauticalmiles.
2.Theselectionofbasepointsisnotoptimal.Atleast9basepointscanbeskippedordeletedfromthe
baselinessystem.Thiswillencloseanadditional2,195nauticalmilesofwater.
3.Finally,thebasepointsweredrawnfrommapsexistingin1968,andnotestablishedbygeodeticsurvey
methods.Accordingly,someofthepoints,particularlyalongthewestcoastsofLuzondowntoPalawan
werelaterfoundtobelocatedeitherinlandoronwater,notonlowwaterlineanddryingreefsas
prescribedbyArticle47.35

Hence,farfromsurrenderingthePhilippinesclaimovertheKIGandtheScarboroughShoal,
CongressdecisiontoclassifytheKIGandtheScarboroughShoalasRegime[s]ofIslandsunderthe
RepublicofthePhilippinesconsistentwithArticle12136ofUNCLOSIIImanifeststhePhilippineStates
responsibleobservanceofitspactasuntservandaobligationunderUNCLOSIII.UnderArticle121of
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UNCLOSIII,anynaturallyformedareaofland,surroundedbywater,whichisabovewaterathightide,
suchasportionsoftheKIG,qualifiesunderthecategoryofregimeofislands,whoseislandsgeneratetheir
ownapplicablemaritimezones.37

StatutoryClaimOverSabahunder
RA5446Retained

PetitionersargumentfortheinvalidityofRA9522foritsfailuretotextualizethePhilippinesclaimover
SabahinNorthBorneoisalsountenable.Section2ofRA5446,whichRA9522didnotrepeal,keepsopen
thedoorfordrawingthebaselinesofSabah:

Section2.ThedefinitionofthebaselinesoftheterritorialseaofthePhilippineArchipelagoas
providedinthisActiswithoutprejudicetothedelineationofthebaselinesoftheterritorialsea
aroundtheterritoryofSabah,situatedinNorthBorneo,overwhichtheRepublicofthePhilippines
hasacquireddominionandsovereignty.(Emphasissupplied)

UNCLOSIIIandRA9522not
IncompatiblewiththeConstitutions
DelineationofInternalWaters

AstheirfinalargumentagainstthevalidityofRA9522,petitionerscontendthatthelawunconstitutionally
convertsinternalwatersintoarchipelagicwaters,hencesubjectingthesewaterstotherightofinnocentand
sealanespassageunderUNCLOSIII,includingoverflight.Petitionersextrapolatethatthesepassagerights
indubitablyexposePhilippineinternalwaterstonuclearandmaritimepollutionhazards,inviolationofthe
Constitution.38

WhetherreferredtoasPhilippineinternalwatersunderArticleIoftheConstitution39orasarchipelagic
watersunderUNCLOSIII(Article49[1]),thePhilippinesexercisessovereigntyoverthebodyofwater
lyinglandwardofthebaselines,includingtheairspaceoveritandthesubmarineareasunderneath.
UNCLOSIIIaffirmsthis:

Article49.Legalstatusofarchipelagicwaters,oftheairspaceoverarchipelagicwatersandof
theirbedandsubsoil.

1.ThesovereigntyofanarchipelagicStateextendstothewatersenclosedbythe
archipelagicbaselinesdrawninaccordancewitharticle47,describedasarchipelagic
waters,regardlessoftheirdepthordistancefromthecoast.
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2.Thissovereigntyextendstotheairspaceoverthearchipelagicwaters,aswellasto
theirbedandsubsoil,andtheresourcescontainedtherein.
xxxx

4.TheregimeofarchipelagicsealanespassageestablishedinthisPartshallnotinotherrespects
affectthestatusofthearchipelagicwaters,includingthesealanes,ortheexercisebythearchipelagic
Stateofitssovereigntyoversuchwatersandtheirairspace,bedandsubsoil,andtheresources
containedtherein.(Emphasissupplied)

Thefactofsovereignty,however,doesnotprecludetheoperationofmunicipalandinternationallawnorms
subjectingtheterritorialseaorarchipelagicwaterstonecessary,ifnotmarginal,burdensintheinterestof
maintainingunimpeded,expeditiousinternationalnavigation,consistentwiththeinternationallawprinciple
offreedomofnavigation.Thus,domestically,thepoliticalbranchesofthePhilippinegovernment,inthe
competentdischargeoftheirconstitutionalpowers,maypasslegislationdesignatingrouteswithinthe
archipelagicwaterstoregulateinnocentandsealanespassage.40Indeed,billsdrawingnauticalhighwaysfor
sealanespassagearenowpendinginCongress.41

Intheabsenceofmunicipallegislation,internationallawnorms,nowcodifiedinUNCLOSIII,
operatetograntinnocentpassagerightsovertheterritorialseaorarchipelagicwaters,subjecttothetreatys
limitationsandconditionsfortheirexercise.42Significantly,therightofinnocentpassageisacustomary
internationallaw,43thusautomaticallyincorporatedinthecorpusofPhilippinelaw.44NomodernStatecan
validlyinvokeitssovereigntytoabsolutelyforbidinnocentpassagethatisexercisedinaccordancewith
customaryinternationallawwithoutriskingretaliatorymeasuresfromtheinternationalcommunity.
ThefactthatforarchipelagicStates,theirarchipelagicwatersaresubjecttoboththerightofinnocent
passageandsealanespassage45doesnotplacetheminlesserfootingvisviscontinentalcoastalStates
whicharesubject,intheirterritorialsea,totherightofinnocentpassageandtherightoftransitpassage
throughinternationalstraits.Theimpositionofthesepassagerightsthrougharchipelagicwatersunder
UNCLOSIIIwasaconcessionbyarchipelagicStates,inexchangefortheirrighttoclaimallthewaters
landwardoftheirbaselines,regardlessoftheirdepthordistancefromthecoast,asarchipelagicwaters
subjecttotheirterritorialsovereignty.Moreimportantly,therecognitionofarchipelagicStatesarchipelago
andthewatersenclosedbytheirbaselinesasonecohesiveentitypreventsthetreatmentoftheirislandsas
separateislandsunderUNCLOSIII.46Separateislandsgeneratetheirownmaritimezones,placingthe
watersbetweenislandsseparatedbymorethan24nauticalmilesbeyondtheStatesterritorialsovereignty,
subjectingthesewaterstotherightsofotherStatesunderUNCLOSIII.47

PetitionersinvocationofnonexecutoryconstitutionalprovisionsinArticleII(Declarationof
PrinciplesandStatePolicies)48mustalsofail.Ourpresentstateofjurisprudenceconsiderstheprovisionsin
ArticleIIasmerelegislativeguides,which,absentenablinglegislation,donotembodyjudicially
enforceableconstitutionalrightsxxx.49ArticleIIprovisionsserveasguidesinformulatingandinterpreting
implementinglegislation,aswellasininterpretingexecutoryprovisionsoftheConstitution.Although
Oposav.Factoran50treatedtherighttoahealthfulandbalancedecologyunderSection16ofArticleIIasan
exception,thepresentpetitionlacksfactualbasistosubstantiatetheclaimedconstitutionalviolation.The
otherprovisionspetitionerscite,relatingtotheprotectionofmarinewealth(ArticleXII,Section2,
paragraph251)andsubsistencefishermen(ArticleXIII,Section752),arenotviolatedbyRA9522.

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Infact,thedemarcationofthebaselinesenablesthePhilippinestodelimititsexclusiveeconomic
zone,reservingsolelytothePhilippinestheexploitationofalllivingandnonlivingresourceswithinsuch
zone.Suchamaritimedelineationbindstheinternationalcommunitysincethedelineationisinstrict
observanceofUNCLOSIII.IfthemaritimedelineationiscontrarytoUNCLOSIII,theinternational
communitywillofcourserejectitandwillrefusetobeboundbyit.

UNCLOSIIIfavorsStateswithalongcoastlinelikethePhilippines.UNCLOSIIIcreatesasui
generismaritimespacetheexclusiveeconomiczoneinwaterspreviouslypartofthehighseas.UNCLOSIII
grantsnewrightstocoastalStatestoexclusivelyexploittheresourcesfoundwithinthiszoneupto200
nauticalmiles.53UNCLOSIII,however,preservesthetraditionalfreedomofnavigationofotherStatesthat
attachedtothiszonebeyondtheterritorialseabeforeUNCLOSIII.

RA9522andthePhilippinesMaritimeZones

Petitionersholdtheviewthat,basedonthepermissivetextofUNCLOSIII,Congresswasnotbound
topassRA9522.54WehavelookedattherelevantprovisionofUNCLOSIII55andwefindpetitioners
readingplausible.Nevertheless,theprerogativeofchoosingthisoptionbelongstoCongress,nottothis
Court.Moreover,theluxuryofchoosingthisoptioncomesataverysteepprice.AbsentanUNCLOSIII
compliantbaselineslaw,anarchipelagicStatelikethePhilippineswillfinditselfdevoidofinternationally
acceptablebaselinesfromwherethebreadthofitsmaritimezonesandcontinentalshelfismeasured.Thisis
recipeforatwofronteddisaster:first,itsendsanopeninvitationtotheseafaringpowerstofreelyenterand
exploittheresourcesinthewatersandsubmarineareasaroundourarchipelagoandsecond,itweakensthe
countryscaseinanyinternationaldisputeoverPhilippinemaritimespace.TheseareconsequencesCongress
wiselyavoided.

TheenactmentofUNCLOSIIIcompliantbaselineslawforthePhilippinearchipelagoandadjacent
areas,asembodiedinRA9522,allowsaninternationallyrecognizeddelimitationofthebreadthofthe
Philippinesmaritimezonesandcontinentalshelf.RA9522isthereforeamostvitalsteponthepartofthe
Philippinesinsafeguardingitsmaritimezones,consistentwiththeConstitutionandournationalinterest.

WHEREFORE,weDISMISSthepetition.

SOORDERED.

ANTONIOT.CARPIO
AssociateJustice

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WECONCUR:

RENATOC.CORONA
ChiefJustice

(Pls.seeconcurringopinion)
PRESBITEROJ.VELASCO,JR.
AssociateJustice

TERESITAJ.LEONARDO
DECASTRO
AssociateJustice

ARTUROD.BRION

DIOSDADOM.PERALTA

AssociateJustice

AssociateJustice

MARIANOC.DELCASTILLO

LUCASP.BERSAMIN

AssociateJustice

AssociateJustice

MARTINS.VILLARAMA,JR.
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IcertifythatMr.JusticeAbad

AssociateJustice

lefthisconcurringvote.
ROBERTOA.ABAD
AssociateJustice

(onleave)
JOSEPORTUGALPEREZ

JOSEC.MENDOZA
AssociateJustice

AssociateJustice

MARIALOURDESP.A.SERENO
AssociateJustice

CERTIFICATION

PursuanttoSection13,ArticleVIIIoftheConstitution,IcertifythattheconclusionsintheaboveDecision
hadbeenreachedinconsultationbeforethecasewasassignedtothewriteroftheopinionoftheCourt.

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RENATOC.CORONA
ChiefJustice

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1EntitledAnActtoAmendCertainProvisionsofRepublicActNo.3046,asAmendedbyRepublicActNo.5446,toDefinetheArchipelagic
BaselinesofthePhilippines,andforOtherPurposes.
2EntitledAnActtoDefinetheBaselinesoftheTerritorialSeaofthePhilippines.
3ThethirdWhereasClauseofRA3046expressestheimportoftreatingthePhilippinesasanarchipelagicState:
WHEREAS,allthewatersaround,between,andconnectingthevariousislandsofthePhilippinearchipelago,
irrespectiveoftheirwidthordimensions,havealwaysbeenconsideredasnecessaryappurtenancesofthelandterritory,forming
partoftheinlandwatersofthePhilippines.
4OneofthefourconventionsframedduringthefirstUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSeainGeneva,thistreaty,excludingthe
Philippines,enteredintoforceon10September1964.
5UNCLOSIIIenteredintoforceon16November1994.
6ThePhilippinessignedthetreatyon10December1982.
7Article47,paragraphs13,provide:
1.AnarchipelagicStatemaydrawstraightarchipelagicbaselinesjoiningtheoutermostpointsofthe
outermostislandsanddryingreefsofthearchipelagoprovidedthatwithinsuchbaselinesareincludedthemainislands
andanareainwhichtheratiooftheareaofthewatertotheareaoftheland,includingatolls,isbetween1to1and9to
1.
2.Thelengthofsuchbaselinesshallnotexceed100nauticalmiles,exceptthatupto3percentofthetotal
numberofbaselinesenclosinganyarchipelagomayexceedthatlength,uptoamaximumlengthof125nauticalmiles.
3.Thedrawingofsuchbaselinesshallnotdeparttoanyappreciableextentfromthegeneralconfigurationof
thearchipelago.(Emphasissupplied)
xxxx
8UNCLOSIIIenteredintoforceon16November1994.ThedeadlineforthefilingofapplicationismandatedinArticle4,AnnexII:Wherea
coastalStateintendstoestablish,inaccordancewitharticle76,theouterlimitsofitscontinentalshelfbeyond200nauticalmiles,itshall
submitparticularsofsuchlimitstotheCommissionalongwithsupportingscientificandtechnicaldataassoonaspossiblebutinanycase
within10yearsoftheentryintoforceofthisConventionforthatState.ThecoastalStateshallatthesametimegivethenamesofany
Commissionmemberswhohaveprovideditwithscientificandtechnicaladvice.(Underscoringsupplied)
Inasubsequentmeeting,theStatespartiesagreedthatforStateswhichbecameboundbythetreatybefore13May1999(suchasthePhilippines)
thetenyearperiodwillbecountedfromthatdate.Thus,RA9522,whichtookeffecton27March2009,barelymetthedeadline.
9Rollo,p.34.
10Whichprovides:ThenationalterritorycomprisesthePhilippinearchipelago,withalltheislandsandwatersembracedtherein,andallother
territoriesoverwhichthePhilippineshassovereigntyorjurisdiction,consistingofitsterrestrial,fluvial,andaerialdomains,includingits
territorialsea,theseabed,thesubsoil,theinsularshelves,andothersubmarineareas.Thewatersaround,between,andconnectingthe
islandsofthearchipelago,regardlessoftheirbreadthanddimensions,formpartoftheinternalwatersofthePhilippines.
11EnteredintobetweentheUnitesStatesandSpainon10December1898followingtheconclusionoftheSpanishAmericanWar.Underthe
termsofthetreaty,SpaincededtotheUnitedStatesthearchipelagoknownasthePhilippineIslandslyingwithinitstechnical
description.
12TheTreatyofWashington,betweenSpainandtheUnitedStates(7November1900),transferringtotheUStheislandsofCagayan,Sulu,and
SibutuandtheUSGreatBritainConvention(2January1930)demarcatingboundarylinesbetweenthePhilippinesandNorthBorneo.
13ArticleII,Section7,Section8,andSection16.
14AllegedlyinviolationofArticleXII,Section2,paragraph2andArticleXIII,Section7oftheConstitution.
15Kilosbayan,Inc.v.Morato,320Phil.171,186(1995).
16Pascualv.SecretaryofPublicWorks,110Phil.331(1960)Sanidadv.COMELEC,165Phil.303(1976).
17Francisco,Jr.v.HouseofRepresentatives,460Phil.830,899(2003)citingKilosbayan,Inc.v.Guingona,Jr.,G.R.No.113375,5May1994,
232SCRA110,155156(1995)(Feliciano,J.,concurring).Thetwootherfactorsare:thecharacteroffundsorassetsinvolvedinthe
controversyandacleardisregardofconstitutionalorstatutoryprohibition.Id.
18.Rollo,pp.144147.
19Seee.g.AquinoIIIv.COMELEC,G.R.No.189793,7April2010,617SCRA623(dismissingapetitionforcertiorariandprohibitionassailing
theconstitutionalityofRepublicActNo.9716,notfortheimproprietyofremedybutforlackofmerit)Aldabav.COMELEC,G.R.No.
188078,25January2010,611SCRA137(issuingthewritofprohibitiontodeclareunconstitutionalRepublicActNo.9591)Macalintal
v.COMELEC,453Phil.586(2003)(issuingthewritsofcertiorariandprohibitiondeclaringunconstitutionalportionsofRepublicAct
No.9189).
20Seee.g.Neriv.SenateCommitteeonAccountabilityofPublicOfficersandInvestigations,G.R.No.180643,25March2008,549SCRA77
(grantingawritofcertiorariagainstthePhilippineSenateandnullifyingtheSenatecontemptorderissuedagainstpetitioner).
21Rollo,p.31.
22RespondentsstateintheirCommentthatpetitionerstheoryhasnotbeenacceptedorrecognizedbyeithertheUnitedStatesorSpain,theparties
totheTreatyofParis.RespondentsaddthatnoStateisknowntohavesupportedthisproposition.Rollo,p.179.
23UNCLOSIIIbelongstothatlargercorpusofinternationallawofthesea,whichpetitionerMagallonahimselfdefinedasabodyoftreatyrules
andcustomarynormsgoverningtheusesofthesea,theexploitationofitsresources,andtheexerciseofjurisdictionovermaritime
regimes.xxxx(MerlinM.Magallona,PrimerontheLawoftheSea1[1997])(Italicizationsupplied).
24FollowingArticle47(1)ofUNCLOSIIIwhichprovides:
AnarchipelagicStatemaydrawstraightarchipelagicbaselinesjoiningtheoutermostpointsoftheoutermost
islandsanddryingreefsofthearchipelagoprovidedthatwithinsuchbaselinesareincludedthemainislandsandan
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areainwhichtheratiooftheareaofthewatertotheareaoftheland,includingatolls,isbetween1to1and9to1.
(Emphasissupplied)
25UndertheUnitedNationsCharter,useofforceisnolongeravalidmeansofacquiringterritory.
26ThelastparagraphofthepreambleofUNCLOSIIIstatesthatmattersnotregulatedbythisConventioncontinuetobegovernedbytherules
andprinciplesofgeneralinternationallaw.
27Rollo,p.51.
28Id.at5152,6466.
29BasedonfiguresrespondentssubmittedintheirComment(id.at182).
30UnderArticle74.
31Seenote7.
32PresidentialDecreeNo.1596classifiestheKIGasamunicipalityofPalawan.
33KIGliesaround80nauticalmileswestofPalawanwhileScarboroughShoalisaround123nauticalwestofZambales.
34Journal,Senate14thCongress44thSession1416(27January2009).
35Rollo,p.159.
36Section2,RA9522.
37Article121provides:Regimeofislands.
1.Anislandisanaturallyformedareaofland,surroundedbywater,whichisabovewaterathightide.
2.Exceptasprovidedforinparagraph3,theterritorialsea,thecontiguouszone,theexclusiveeconomiczoneandthecontinentalshelfof
anislandaredeterminedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisConventionapplicabletootherlandterritory.
3.Rockswhichcannotsustainhumanhabitationoreconomiclifeoftheirownshallhavenoexclusiveeconomiczoneorcontinental
shelf.
38Rollo,pp.5657,6064.
39Paragraph2,Section2,ArticleXIIoftheConstitutionusesthetermarchipelagicwatersseparatelyfromterritorialsea.UnderUNCLOSIII,an
archipelagicStatemayhaveinternalwaterssuchasthoseenclosedbyclosinglinesacrossbaysandmouthsofrivers.SeeArticle50,
UNCLOSIII.Moreover,Article8(2)ofUNCLOSIIIprovides:Wheretheestablishmentofastraightbaselineinaccordancewiththe
methodsetforthinarticle7hastheeffectofenclosingasinternalwatersareaswhichhadnotpreviouslybeenconsideredassuch,a
rightofinnocentpassageasprovidedinthisConventionshallexistinthosewaters.(Emphasissupplied)
40MandatedunderArticles52and53ofUNCLOSIII:
Article52.Rightofinnocentpassage.
1.Subjecttoarticle53andwithoutprejudicetoarticle50,shipsofallStatesenjoytherightofinnocentpassage
througharchipelagicwaters,inaccordancewithPartII,section3.
2.ThearchipelagicStatemay,withoutdiscriminationinformorinfactamongforeignships,suspendtemporarilyin
specifiedareasofitsarchipelagicwaterstheinnocentpassageofforeignshipsifsuchsuspensionisessentialforthe
protectionofitssecurity.Suchsuspensionshalltakeeffectonlyafterhavingbeendulypublished.(Emphasissupplied)

Article53.Rightofarchipelagicsealanespassage.
1.AnarchipelagicStatemaydesignatesealanesandairroutesthereabove,suitableforthecontinuousand
expeditiouspassageofforeignshipsandaircraftthroughoroveritsarchipelagicwatersandtheadjacentterritorialsea.
2.Allshipsandaircraftenjoytherightofarchipelagicsealanespassageinsuchsealanesandairroutes.
3.ArchipelagicsealanespassagemeanstheexerciseinaccordancewiththisConventionoftherightsof
navigationandoverflightinthenormalmodesolelyforthepurposeofcontinuous,expeditiousandunobstructedtransit
betweenonepartofthehighseasoranexclusiveeconomiczoneandanotherpartofthehighseasoranexclusive
economiczone.
4.Suchsealanesandairroutesshalltraversethearchipelagicwatersandtheadjacentterritorialseaandshall
includeallnormalpassageroutesusedasroutesforinternationalnavigationoroverflightthroughoroverarchipelagic
watersand,withinsuchroutes,sofarasshipsareconcerned,allnormalnavigationalchannels,providedthat
duplicationofroutesofsimilarconveniencebetweenthesameentryandexitpointsshallnotbenecessary.
5.Suchsealanesandairroutesshallbedefinedbyaseriesofcontinuousaxislinesfromtheentrypointsof
passageroutestotheexitpoints.Shipsandaircraftinarchipelagicsealanespassageshallnotdeviatemorethan25
nauticalmilestoeithersideofsuchaxislinesduringpassage,providedthatsuchshipsandaircraftshallnotnavigate
closertothecoaststhan10percentofthedistancebetweenthenearestpointsonislandsborderingthesealane.
6.AnarchipelagicStatewhichdesignatessealanesunderthisarticlemayalsoprescribetrafficseparation
schemesforthesafepassageofshipsthroughnarrowchannelsinsuchsealanes.
7.AnarchipelagicStatemay,whencircumstancesrequire,aftergivingduepublicitythereto,substituteother
sealanesortrafficseparationschemesforanysealanesortrafficseparationschemespreviouslydesignatedor
prescribedbyit.
8.Suchsealanesandtrafficseparationschemesshallconformtogenerallyacceptedinternationalregulations.
9.Indesignatingorsubstitutingsealanesorprescribingorsubstitutingtrafficseparationschemes,an
archipelagicStateshallreferproposalstothecompetentinternationalorganizationwithaviewtotheiradoption.The
organizationmayadoptonlysuchsealanesandtrafficseparationschemesasmaybeagreedwiththearchipelagicState,
afterwhichthearchipelagicStatemaydesignate,prescribeorsubstitutethem.
10.ThearchipelagicStateshallclearlyindicatetheaxisofthesealanesandthetrafficseparationschemes
designatedorprescribedbyitonchartstowhichduepublicityshallbegiven.
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11.Shipsinarchipelagicsealanespassageshallrespectapplicablesealanesandtrafficseparationschemes
establishedinaccordancewiththisarticle.
12.IfanarchipelagicStatedoesnotdesignatesealanesorairroutes,therightofarchipelagicsealanes
passagemaybeexercisedthroughtheroutesnormallyusedforinternationalnavigation.(Emphasissupplied)
41Namely,HouseBillNo.4153andSenateBillNo.2738,identicallytitledANACTTOESTABLISHTHEARCHIPELAGICSEALANESIN
THEPHILIPPINEARCHIPELAGICWATERS,PRESCRIBINGTHERIGHTSANDOBLIGATIONSOFFOREIGNSHIPSAND
AIRCRAFTSEXERCISINGTHERIGHTOFARCHIPELAGICSEALANESPASSAGETHROUGHTHEESTABLISHED
ARCHIPELAGICSEALANESANDPROVIDINGFORTHEASSOCIATEDPROTECTIVEMEASURESTHEREIN.
42TherelevantprovisionofUNCLOSIIIprovides:
Article17.Rightofinnocentpassage.
SubjecttothisConvention,shipsofallStates,whethercoastalorlandlocked,enjoytherightofinnocent
passagethroughtheterritorialsea.(Emphasissupplied)

Article19.Meaningofinnocentpassage.
1.Passageisinnocentsolongasitisnotprejudicialtothepeace,goodorderorsecurityofthecoastalState.
SuchpassageshalltakeplaceinconformitywiththisConventionandwithotherrulesofinternationallaw.
2.Passageofaforeignshipshallbeconsideredtobeprejudicialtothepeace,goodorderorsecurityofthe
coastalStateifintheterritorialseaitengagesinanyofthefollowingactivities:
(a)anythreatoruseofforceagainstthesovereignty,territorialintegrityorpoliticalindependenceofthe
coastalState,orinanyothermannerinviolationoftheprinciplesofinternationallawembodiedintheCharterofthe
UnitedNations
(b)anyexerciseorpracticewithweaponsofanykind
(c)anyactaimedatcollectinginformationtotheprejudiceofthedefenceorsecurityofthecoastalState
(d)anyactofpropagandaaimedataffectingthedefenceorsecurityofthecoastalState
(e)thelaunching,landingortakingonboardofanyaircraft
(f)thelaunching,landingortakingonboardofanymilitarydevice
(g)theloadingorunloadingofanycommodity,currencyorpersoncontrarytothecustoms,fiscal,
immigrationorsanitarylawsandregulationsofthecoastalState

(h)anyactofwillfulandseriouspollutioncontrarytothisConvention
(i)anyfishingactivities
(j)thecarryingoutofresearchorsurveyactivities
(k)anyactaimedatinterferingwithanysystemsofcommunicationoranyotherfacilitiesorinstallationsof
thecoastalState
(l)anyotheractivitynothavingadirectbearingonpassage

Article21.LawsandregulationsofthecoastalStaterelatingtoinnocentpassage.
1.ThecoastalStatemayadoptlawsandregulations,inconformitywiththeprovisionsofthisConventionand
otherrulesofinternationallaw,relatingtoinnocentpassagethroughtheterritorialsea,inrespectofalloranyofthe
following:
(a)thesafetyofnavigationandtheregulationofmaritimetraffic
(b)theprotectionofnavigationalaidsandfacilitiesandotherfacilitiesorinstallations
(c)theprotectionofcablesandpipelines
(d)theconservationofthelivingresourcesofthesea
(e)thepreventionofinfringementofthefisherieslawsandregulationsofthecoastalState
(f)thepreservationoftheenvironmentofthecoastalStateandtheprevention,reductionandcontrolof
pollutionthereof
(g)marinescientificresearchandhydrographicsurveys
(h)thepreventionofinfringementofthecustoms,fiscal,immigrationorsanitarylawsandregulationsofthe
coastalState.
2.Suchlawsandregulationsshallnotapplytothedesign,construction,manningorequipmentofforeign
shipsunlesstheyaregivingeffecttogenerallyacceptedinternationalrulesorstandards.
3.ThecoastalStateshallgiveduepublicitytoallsuchlawsandregulations.
4.Foreignshipsexercisingtherightofinnocentpassagethroughtheterritorialseashallcomplywithallsuch
lawsandregulationsandallgenerallyacceptedinternationalregulationsrelatingtothepreventionofcollisionsatsea.
43Therightofinnocentpassagethroughtheterritorialseaappliesonlytoshipsandnottoaircrafts(Article17,UNCLOSIII).Therightof
innocentpassageofaircraftsthroughthesovereignterritoryofaStatearisesonlyunderaninternationalagreement.Incontrast,theright
ofinnocentpassagethrougharchipelagicwatersappliestobothshipsandaircrafts(Article53(12),UNCLOSIII).

44FollowingSection2,ArticleIIoftheConstitution:Section2.ThePhilippinesrenounceswarasaninstrumentofnationalpolicy,adoptsthe
generallyacceptedprinciplesofinternationallawaspartofthelawofthelandandadherestothepolicyofpeace,equality,justice,
freedom,cooperation,andamitywithallnations.(Emphasissupplied)
45ArchipelagicsealanespassageisessentiallythesameastransitpassagethroughstraitstowhichtheterritorialseaofcontinentalcoastalStateis
subject.R.R.ChurabillandA.V.Lowe,TheLawoftheSea127(1999).
46FallingunderArticle121ofUNCLOSIII(seenote37).
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47Withintheexclusiveeconomiczone,otherStatesenjoythefollowingrightsunderUNCLOSIII:

Article58.RightsanddutiesofotherStatesintheexclusiveeconomiczone.
1.Intheexclusiveeconomiczone,allStates,whethercoastalorlandlocked,enjoy,subjecttotherelevantprovisionsof
thisConvention,thefreedomsreferredtoinarticle87ofnavigationandoverflightandofthelayingofsubmarine
cablesandpipelines,andotherinternationallylawfulusesofthesearelatedtothesefreedoms,suchasthoseassociated
withtheoperationofships,aircraftandsubmarinecablesandpipelines,andcompatiblewiththeotherprovisionsof
thisConvention.
2.Articles88to115andotherpertinentrulesofinternationallawapplytotheexclusiveeconomiczoneinsofar
astheyarenotincompatiblewiththisPart.
xxxx

Beyondtheexclusiveeconomiczone,otherStatesenjoythefreedomofthehighseas,definedunderUNCLOSIIIasfollows:

Article87.Freedomofthehighseas.
1.ThehighseasareopentoallStates,whethercoastalorlandlocked.Freedomofthehighseasisexercisedunderthe
conditionslaiddownbythisConventionandbyotherrulesofinternationallaw.Itcomprises,interalia,bothforcoastal
andlandlockedStates:
(a)freedomofnavigation
(b)freedomofoverflight
(c)freedomtolaysubmarinecablesandpipelines,subjecttoPartVI
(d)freedomtoconstructartificialislandsandotherinstallationspermittedunderinternationallaw,subjectto
PartVI
(e)freedomoffishing,subjecttotheconditionslaiddowninsection2
(f)freedomofscientificresearch,subjecttoPartsVIandXIII.
2.ThesefreedomsshallbeexercisedbyallStateswithdueregardfortheinterestsofotherStatesintheir
exerciseofthefreedomofthehighseas,andalsowithdueregardfortherightsunderthisConventionwithrespectto
activitiesintheArea.
48Seenote13.
49Kilosbayan,Inc.v.Morato,316Phil.652,698(1995)Taadav.Angara,338Phil.546,580581(1997).
50G.R.No.101083,30July1993,224SCRA792.
51TheStateshallprotectthenationsmarinewealthinitsarchipelagicwaters,territorialsea,andexclusiveeconomiczone,andreserveitsuseand
enjoymentexclusivelytoFilipinocitizens.
52TheStateshallprotecttherightsofsubsistencefishermen,especiallyoflocalcommunities,tothepreferentialuseofthecommunalmarineand
fishingresources,bothinlandandoffshore.Itshallprovidesupporttosuchfishermenthroughappropriatetechnologyandresearch,
adequatefinancial,production,andmarketingassistance,andotherservices.TheStateshallalsoprotect,develop,andconservesuch
resources.Theprotectionshallextendtooffshorefishinggroundsofsubsistencefishermenagainstforeignintrusion.Fishworkersshall
receiveajustsharefromtheirlaborintheutilizationofmarineandfishingresources.
53Thiscanextendupto350nauticalmilesifthecoastalStateprovesitsrighttoclaimanextendedcontinentalshelf(seeUNCLOSIII,Article76,
paragraphs4(a),5and6,inrelationtoArticle77).
54Rollo,pp.6769.
55Article47(1)provides:AnarchipelagicStatemaydrawstraightarchipelagicbaselinesjoiningtheoutermostpointsoftheoutermostislands
anddryingreefsofthearchipelagoprovidedthatwithinsuchbaselinesareincludedthemainislandsandanareainwhichtheratioofthe
areaofthewatertotheareaoftheland,includingatolls,isbetween1to1and9to1.(Emphasissupplied)

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