What are our legal bases of claiming West Philippine Sea?

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ruled that the Philippines has sovereign rights over WPS, and has jurisdiction over 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Is RA 9522 constitutional?

In upholding the constitutionality of R.A. 9522, the Supreme Court of the Philippines stated that the right of innocent passage is a matter of customary international law and thus part of Philippine law and applies both in the archipelagic waters and territorial sea of the Philippines.

What is straight baseline method?

Straight baseline method refers to imaginary straight lines are drawn joining the outermost points of outermost islands of the archipelago, enclosing an area the ratio of which should not be more than 9:1 (water to land); provided that the drawing of baselines shall not depart, to any appreciable extent, from the …

How are baselines used?

A baseline can be any number that serves as a reasonable and defined starting point for comparison purposes. It may be used to evaluate the effects of a change, track the progress of an improvement project, or measure the difference between two periods of time.

What is RA 9522 all about?

RA 9522 essentially declares the Philippines as an “archipelagic state” under the United Nations Law of the Sea, and uses the straight baselines method in delineating the national territory.

What is baseline law?

A baseline, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is the line along the coast from which the seaward limits of a state’s territorial sea and certain other maritime zones of jurisdiction are measured, such as a state’s exclusive economic zone.

What is normal baseline?

Normal baselines A normal baseline lies where the sea retreats at low water (low water line). These 0-metre depth lines are published in the official nautical charts of the Hydrographic Service. It concerns the most recent charts at a scale of 1:150,000 or larger, or their digital equivalent.

Is there a new baseline law in the Philippines?

NEW BASELINE LAW. Retired Supreme Court Justice Francis Jardeleza says a new Baseline Law will amend Republic Act 9522, the current baselines law, to specifically name and identify the maritime features in the West Philippine Sea claimed or occupied by the Philippines.

What is a baseline law?

Thus, baselines laws are nothing but statutory mechanisms for UNCLOS States parties to delimit with precision the extent of their maritime zones and continental shelves.

What are the baselines of the Philippines?

Baselines of the Philippines. The baselines of the Philippines (Filipino: Mga batayang-guhit ng Pilipinas) are the set of geodesic lines completely encircling the main Philippine archipelago from where the maritime entitlements of the country are measured from.

Is baseline law the best way to enforce South China Sea Award?

MANILA – Enactment of a new baseline law is the most efficient option to enforce the five-year-old South China Sea Arbitral Award won by the Philippines in its maritime dispute with the People’s Republic of China.