Professional Documents
Culture Documents
187167
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,
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MARICARRAMOS,ENRIKFORT
REVILLAS,JAMESMARKTERRY
RIDON,JOHANNFRANTZRIVERAIV,
CHRISTIANRIVERO,DIANNEMARIE
ROA,NICHOLASSANTIZO,MELISSA
CHRISTINASANTOS,CRISTINEMAE
TABING,VANESSAANNETORNO,
MARIAESTERVANGUARDIA,and
MARCELINOVELOSOIII,
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
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REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINESPromulgated:
TOTHEUNITEDNATIONS,
Respondents.July16,2011
xx
DECISION
CARPIO,J.:
TheCase
ThisoriginalactionforthewritsofcertiorariandprohibitionassailstheconstitutionalityofRepublicAct
No.95221(RA9522)adjustingthecountrysarchipelagicbaselinesandclassifyingthebaselineregimeof
nearbyterritories.
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.
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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
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Petitionersthemselvesunderminetheirassertionoflocusstandiaslegislatorsandtaxpayersbecausethe
petitionallegesneitherinfringementoflegislativeprerogative15normisuseofpublicfunds,16occasionedby
thepassageandimplementationofRA9522.Nonetheless,werecognizepetitionerslocusstandiascitizens
withconstitutionallysufficientinterestintheresolutionofthemeritsofthecasewhichundoubtedlyraises
issuesofnationalsignificancenecessitatingurgentresolution.Indeed,owingtothepeculiarnatureofRA
9522,itisunderstandablydifficulttofindotherlitigantspossessingamoredirectandspecificinterestto
bringthesuit,thussatisfyingoneoftherequirementsforgrantingcitizenshipstanding.17
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
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MaritimeZonesandContinental
ShelfUnderUNCLOSIII,notto
DelineatePhilippineTerritory
PetitionerssubmitthatRA9522dismembersalargeportionofthenationalterritory21becauseitdiscardsthe
preUNCLOSIIIdemarcationofPhilippineterritoryundertheTreatyofParisandrelatedtreaties,
successivelyencodedinthedefinitionofnationalterritoryunderthe1935,1973and1987Constitutions.
Petitionerstheorizethatthisconstitutionaldefinitiontrumpsanytreatyorstatutoryprovisiondenyingthe
Philippinessovereigncontroloverwaters,beyondtheterritorialsearecognizedatthetimeoftheTreatyof
Paris,thatSpainsupposedlycededtotheUnitedStates.PetitionersarguethatfromtheTreatyofParis
technicaldescription,Philippinesovereigntyoverterritorialwatersextendshundredsofnauticalmiles
aroundthePhilippinearchipelago,embracingtherectangularareadelineatedintheTreatyofParis.22
Petitionerstheoryfailstopersuadeus.
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)
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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
PetitionersnextsubmitthatRA9522suseofUNCLOSIIIsregimeofislandsframeworktodrawthe
baselines,andtomeasurethebreadthoftheapplicablemaritimezonesoftheKIG,weakensourterritorial
claimoverthatarea.27PetitionersaddthattheKIGs(andScarboroughShoals)exclusionfromthePhilippine
archipelagicbaselinesresultsinthelossofabout15,000squarenauticalmilesofterritorialwaters,
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prejudicingthelivelihoodofsubsistencefishermen. Acomparisonoftheconfigurationofthebaselines
28
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)
Internalor
archipelagic
166,858 171,435
waters
Sea
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Exclusive 382,669
Economic
Zone
Thus,asthemapbelowshows,thereachoftheexclusiveeconomiczonedrawnunderRA9522even
extendswaybeyondthewaterscoveredbytherectangulardemarcationundertheTreatyofParis.Ofcourse,
wherethereareoverlappingexclusiveeconomiczonesofoppositeoradjacentStates,therewillhavetobea
delineationofmaritimeboundariesinaccordancewithUNCLOSIII.30
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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
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.
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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
UNCLOSIII,anynaturallyformedareaofland,surroundedbywater,whichisabovewaterathightide,
suchasportionsoftheKIG,qualifiesunderthecategoryofregimeofislands,whoseislandsgeneratetheir
ownapplicablemaritimezones.37
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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
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waters,regardlessoftheirdepthordistancefromthecoast.
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
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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.
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.
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TheenactmentofUNCLOSIIIcompliantbaselineslawforthePhilippinearchipelagoandadjacent
areas,asembodiedinRA9522,allowsaninternationallyrecognizeddelimitationofthebreadthofthe
Philippinesmaritimezonesandcontinentalshelf.RA9522isthereforeamostvitalsteponthepartofthe
Philippinesinsafeguardingitsmaritimezones,consistentwiththeConstitutionandournationalinterest.
WHEREFORE,weDISMISSthepetition.
SOORDERED.
ANTONIOT.CARPIO
AssociateJustice
WECONCUR:
RENATOC.CORONA
ChiefJustice
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(Pls.seeconcurringopinion) TERESITAJ.LEONARDO
PRESBITEROJ.VELASCO,JR.
DECASTRO
AssociateJustice
AssociateJustice
ARTUROD.BRION DIOSDADOM.PERALTA
AssociateJustice AssociateJustice
MARIANOC.DELCASTILLO
LUCASP.BERSAMIN AssociateJustice
AssociateJustice
IcertifythatMr.JusticeAbad MARTINS.VILLARAMA,JR.
lefthisconcurringvote.
AssociateJustice
ROBERTOA.ABAD
AssociateJustice
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(onleave) JOSEC.MENDOZA
JOSEPORTUGALPEREZ
AssociateJustice
AssociateJustice
MARIALOURDESP.A.SERENO
AssociateJustice
CERTIFICATION
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PursuanttoSection13,ArticleVIIIoftheConstitution,IcertifythattheconclusionsintheaboveDecision
hadbeenreachedinconsultationbeforethecasewasassignedtothewriteroftheopinionoftheCourt.
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.
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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
areainwhichtheratiooftheareaofthewatertotheareaoftheland,includingatolls,isbetween1to1and9to1.
(Emphasissupplied)
25UndertheUnitedNationsCharter,useofforceisnolongeravalidmeansofacquiringterritory.
26ThelastparagraphofthepreambleofUNCLOSIIIstatesthatmattersnotregulatedbythisConventioncontinuetobegovernedbytherules
andprinciplesofgeneralinternationallaw.
27Rollo,p.51.
28Id.at5152,6466.
29BasedonfiguresrespondentssubmittedintheirComment(id.at182).
30UnderArticle74.
31Seenote7.
32PresidentialDecreeNo.1596classifiestheKIGasamunicipalityofPalawan.
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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.
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10.ThearchipelagicStateshallclearlyindicatetheaxisofthesealanesandthetrafficseparationschemes
designatedorprescribedbyitonchartstowhichduepublicityshallbegiven.
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
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(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).
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.
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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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