Cases for Constitutional Law I

De Leon v Esguerra
153 SCRA 602
August 31, 1987

RELATED TOPIC: DATE OF EFFECTIVITY OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

FACTS:

Alfredo De Leon was elected as Barangay Captain in the May 1982 Elections. On
February 9, 1987, designating Florentino Magno as Barangay Captain of Barangay
Dolores, Taytay, Rizal. Petitioners seek that the memorandum be null and void in
accordance to Section 3 of the Barangay Election Act of 1982. Petitioners further argue
that with the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, respondent OIC Governor no longer
has authority to designate successors and replace them.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the dismissal order of De Leon et al by respondent OIC Governor valid?

HELD:

The Constitution was ratified in a plebiscite on February 2, 1987. By that date, the
Provisional Constitution has been superseded. As such, respondent OIC Governor could
no longer rely on Section 2, Article III of the said Constitution. The memoranda was
declared to be of no legal force and the unit of prohibition enjoining respondents from
proceeding with the take-over was granted.

Angara v Electoral Commission

62 Phil 139
GR No L-45081
July 15, 1936

RELATED TOPIC: SEPARATION OF POWERS

FACTS:

In the elections of September 1935, Jose Angara, Pedro Ynsua, Miguel Castillo and
Dionisio mayor were candidates voted for the position of member of the National
Assembly in the first district of Tayabas. The petitioner was proclaimed member-elect for
the said district for receiving the most number of votes and thereafter took his oath in
office. A motion of protest was filed by Ynsue against the election of the petitioner. The
petitioner countered this with a Motion to Dismiss the protest which was denied by the
Electoral Commission.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the Electoral Commission
and the subject matter of the controversy; and

Whether or not the said Electoral Commission acted without or in excess of its
jurisdiction in assuming cognizance of the protest filed over the election herein petitioner

HELD:

The National Assembly operates as a check on the executive in the sense that its consent
through its Commission on Appointments is necessary in the appointment of certain
officers; and the concurrence of a majority of all its members is essential to the
conclusion of treaties. Furthermore, its power to determine what courts other than the
assembly controls the judicial department to a certain extent. The assembly also exercises
the judicial power of trying impeachments. The judiciary, in turn, with the Supreme
Court as the final arbiter effectively checks the other departments in the exercise of its
power to determine the law, and hence, to declare executive and legislative acts void if
violative of the Constitution. This power has been stated in Section 2, Article VIII of the
Constitution. Section 4, Article VI of the Constitution provides that “The Electoral
Commission shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns and
qualifications of the members of the National Assembly”. In view of the deliberations of
the framers of the Constitution, it is held that the Electoral Commission was acting within
the legitimate exercise of its constitutional prerogative in assuming to take cognizance of
the protest filed by the respondent Ynsua. The petition of Writ of Prohibition against the
Electoral Commission is hereby denied.

BACAM v NACOCO
100 Phil 468
GR No L-9657
November 29, 1956

RELATED TOPIC: DOCTRINE OF NONSUABILITY; FUNCTIONS OF THE

GOVERNMENT

FACTS:
 Plaintiffs Bacani and Matolo are both court stenographers assigned in Branch VI
of the Court of First Instance of Manila.
During the pendency of the civil case in the said court, Francisco Sycip v
NACOCO, Assistant Corporate Counsel Fredriko Alikpal, counsel for defendant,
requested said stenographers for copies of the transcript of the stenographic notes taken
by them during the hearing. Plaintiffs complied with the request by delivering to Counsel
Alikpala the needed transcript containing 714 pages and thereafter submitted to him their
bills for the payment of their fees. The NACOCO paid the amount of Php 564 to
Leopoldo Bacani and Php 150 to Mateo Matolo for the transcript with a rate of Php 1 per
page. But the Auditor General required the plaintiffs to reimburse said amounts through
salary deduction, by virtue of a Department of Justice circular which stated that
NACOCO was a government entity, therefore, it is exempted from the payment of fees in
question.
The petitioners filed an action in court, countering that NACOCO is not a
government entity within the purview of Section 2 of the Revised Administrative Code of
1917, hence, it is exempted from paying the stenographers’ fees under Rule 130 of the
Rules of Court.

HELD;

NACOCO is not considered as a government entity and is not exempted from

paying the stenographers’ fees under Rule 130 of the Rules of Court. Section 2 of the
Revised Administrative Code defines the scope of the term “Government of the Republic
of the Philippines”. The term ‘Government’ may be defined as an ‘institution or
aggregate of institutions by which an independent society makes and carries out those
rules of action which are necessary to enable men to live in a social state, or which are
imposed upon the people forming that society by those who possess the power or
authority of prescribing them” (US v Dorr, 2 Phil 332). This institution when referring to
the National governmenr, has reference to what our constitution has established,
composed of three great departments – legislative, executive and judicial, though which
the powers and functions of government are exercised. These functions are twofold:
constituent and ministrant. The former are those which constitute the very bonds of
society and are compulsory in nature; the latter are those that are undertaken only by way
of advancing the general interests of the society, and are merely optional.

PVTA v CIR
65 SCRA 416

RELATED TOPIC: FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT

FACTS:

On December 20, 1966, private respondents filed a petition to seek relief for their
alleged overtime services in accordance with the Commonwealth Act No 444.
Respondent court sustained the claims of private respondents hence the Petition of
Certiorari and Plea for Reversal from PVTA. Petitioner contends that they are exercising
governmental functions thus they are exempt from the Eight-Hour Labor Law and
respondent court have no jurisdiction over them.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the PVTA, while discharging governmental functions and not proprietary
functions thus exempting it from Commonwealth Act No 447.

HELD:

There is no constitutional obstacle to a government pursuing lines of endeavor

formerly reserved for private enterprise. Just because the petitioner is engaged in
governmental rather proprietary function, it does not follow that the labor controversy is
beyond the jurisdiction of the respondent court. “The growing complexities of modern
society have rendered the traditional classification of the functions of the government
(constituent and ministrant), unrealistic, not to say obsolete.” The Contention that the
Eight-hour labor law did not apply to the petitioner, moreover, lacked merit on the
grounds of the casualness in the way such argument was advanced in petition.

GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS v MONTE DE PIEDAD

35 Phil 728
G.R. No. L-9959

RELATED TOPIC: DOCTRINE OF PARENS PATRIAE

FACTS:

In June 1863 a devastating earthquake occurred in the Philippines. The Spanish

Government then provided $400,000.00 as aid for the victims and it was received by the
Philippine Treasury. Out of the said amount, $80,000.00 was left untouched; it was then
invested in the Monte de Piedad Bank which in turn invested the amount in jewelries. But
when the Philippine government later tried to withdraw the said amount, the bank cannot
provide for the amount. The government then filed a complaint. The bank argued that the
Philippine government is not an affected party hence has no right to institute a complaint.
The bank argues that the government was not the intended beneficiary of the said
amount.

ISSUE:

Whether or not the Philippine government is competent to file a complaint against the
respondent bank.
HELD:

Yes. The Philippine government is competent to institute action against Monte de Piedad,
this is in accordance with the doctrine of Parens Patriae. The government being the
protector of the rights of the people has the inherent supreme power to enforce such laws
that will promote the public interest. No other party has been entrusted with such right
hence as “parents” of the people the government has the right to take back the money
intended for the people.

CO KIM CHAN v VALDEZ TAN KEH

75 Phil 113
November 16, 1945

RELATED TOPIC: DE FACTO GOVERNMENT

FACTS:
Plaintiff Co filed motions in a Japanese-controlled court in Manila to recover
property from the defendant. Although Manila was still under Japanese control, the
Commonwealth government had been reestablished a month ago, and plaintiff was surely
aware that the liberation of Manila was imminent.

ISSUE:
Whether or not judicial processes during the Japanese occupation are valid after
the Commonwealth government was already reinstated.

HELD:
Yes. Under international law, specifically the Hague Conventions, the functioning
of courts and municipal laws remain valid during occupation. The acts of a de facto
government are valid and civil laws continue even during occupation unless repealed.
This reduces the harm done to the people of the occupied territory, and reversing judicial
processes strips parties, without due process, of vested rights acquired under these
processes. Only legislative, constitutional and administrative processes are affected, and
these are the “processes” MacArthur’s proclamation was construed to refer to. Motion for
reconsideration denied.
PEOPLE v GOZO
53 SCRA 476
October 26, 1973

RELATED TOPIC:

FACTS:
Appellant seeks to set aside a judgment of the Court of First Instance of
Zambales, convicting her of a violation of an ordinance of Olongapo, Zambales,
requiring a permit from the municipal mayor for the construction or erection of a
building, as well as any modification, alteration, repair or demolition thereof. She
questions its validity on the pretext that her house was constructed within the naval base
leased to the American armed forces. While yielding to the well-settled doctrine that it
does not thereby cease to be Philippine territory, she in effect seek to emasculate the
State's sovereign rights by the assertion that the latter cannot exercise therein
administrative jurisdiction.

ISSUE:
Whether or not the State can exercise administrative jurisdiction within the naval
base leased by the Philippines to the American armed forces.

HELD:
The Philippine Government has not abdicated its sovereignty over the bases as
part of the Philippine territory or divested itself completely of jurisdiction over offenses
committed therein. Under the terms of the treaty, the United States Government has prior
or preferential but not exclusive jurisdiction of such offenses. The Philippine Government
retains not only jurisdictional lights not granted, but also all such ceded rights as the
United States Military authorities for reasons of their own decline to make use of. The
first proposition is implied from the fact of Philippine sovereignty over the bases; the
second from the express provisions of the treaty." There was a reiteration of such a view
in Reagan. Thus: "Nothing is better settled than that the Philippines being independent
and sovereign, its authority may be exercised over its entire domain. There is no portion
thereof that is beyond its power. Within its limits, its decrees are supreme, its commands
paramount. Its laws govern therein, and everyone to whom it applies must submit to its
terms. That is the extent of its jurisdiction, both territorial and personal. Necessarily,
likewise, it has to be exclusive. If it were not thus, there is a diminution of it
sovereignty." Then came this paragraph dealing with the principle of auto-limitation: "It
is to be admitted that any state may, by its consent, express or implied, submit to a
restriction of its sovereign rights. There may thus be a curtailment of what otherwise is a
power plenary in character. That is the concept of sovereignty as auto-limitation, which,
in the succinct language of Jellinek, 'is the property of a state-force due to which it has
the exclusive capacity of legal self-determination and self-restriction.' A state then, if it
chooses to, may refrain from the exercise of what otherwise is illimitable competence."
16 The opinion was at pains to point out though that even then, there is at the most
diminution of jurisdictional rights, not it appearance. The words employed follow: "Its
laws may as to some persons found within its territory no longer control. Nor does the
matter end there. It is not precluded from allowing another power to participate in the
exercise of jurisdictional right over certain portions of its territory. If it does so, it by no
means follows that such areas become impressed with an alien character. They retain
their status as native soil. They are still subject to its authority. Its jurisdiction may be
diminished, but it does not disappear. So it is with the bases under lease to the American
armed forces by virtue of the military bases agreement of 1947. They are not and cannot
be foreign territory."

LAUREL v MISA
77 Phil 856

RELATED TOPIC: SOVEREIGNTY

FACTS:

Anastacio Laurel filed a petition for habeas corpus contending that he cannot be
prosecuted for the crime of treason defined and penalized by the Article 114 of the
Revised Penal Code on the grounds that the sovereignty of the legitimate government and
the allegiance of Filipino citizens was then suspended, and that there was a change of
sovereignty over the Philippines upon the proclamation of the Philippine Republic.

ISSUE:
1. Is the absolute allegiance of the citizens suspended during Japanese occupation?
2. Is the petitioner subject to Article 114 of the Revised Penal Code?

HELD:
The absolute and permanent allegiance of the inhabitants of a territory occupied
by the enemy of their legitimate government on sovereign is not abrogated or severed by
the enemy occupation because the sovereignty of the government or sovereign de jure is
not transferred to the occupier. There is no such thing as suspended allegiance.
The petitioner is subject to the Revised Penal Code for the change of form of government
does not affect the prosecution of those charged with the crime of treason because it is an
offense to the same government and same sovereign people.
RUFFY v CHIEF OF STAFF
75 Phil 857

RELATED TOPIC: SOVEREIGNTY

FACTS:
Ramon Ruffy was the provincial commander stationed in Mindoro at the outbreak
of war on December 8, 1941. When the Japanese forces landed in Mindoro on February
27, 1942, Mayor Ruffy retreated to the mountains and organized and led a guerrilla outfit
known as the Bolo Combat team of Bolo Area. The case at bar is a petition for
prohibition praying that respondents be commanded to desist from further proceedings in
the trial of the petitioners on the ground that petitioners were not subject to military law
at the time of offense.

ISSUE:
1. Are the petitioners subject to military law at the time of war and Japanese
occupation?
2. Is 93d Article of War constitutional?

HELD:
Petitioners were subject to military jurisdiction as provided for in Article of War
(2d). The Bolo Area was a contingent of the 6th military district which had been
recognized by the United States army. The petitioners assailed the constitutionality of
93d Article of War on the ground that it violates Article VIII Section 2 par. 4 of the
Constitution which provides that “National Assembly may not deprive the Supreme
Court of its original jurisdiction over all criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is
death or life imprisonment”. The petitioners are in error for courts martial are agencies of
executive character and are not a portion of the judiciary. The petition thus has no merits
and is dismissed with costs.

MO YA LIM YAO v COMMISSIONER ON IMMIGRATION

41 SCRA 292
GR No L-21289
October 4, 1971

RELATED TOPIC: PEOPLE

FACTS:
Plaintiff-appellant, a temporary alien visitor, whose authorized stay in the
Philippines was to expire, claims herself to be lawfully naturalized by virtue of her
marriage with co-plaintiff, a Filipino citizen. Solicitor General opposes on the ground that
the mere marriage of a Filipino citizen to an alien does not automatically confer on the
latter Philippine citizenship, because record shows that the same does not posses all the
qualifications required of applicants for naturalization (CA 473), even if she has proven
that she does not suffer any disqualification there under.

ISSUE:
Whether or not an alien who married a naturalized Filipino is lawfully
naturalized.

HELD:
Yes, an alien woman marrying a Filipino, native-born or naturalized, becomes
ipso facto a Filipina provided she is not disqualified to be a citizen of the Philippines
(Sec. 15 and 4, CA 473).

PO XO BI v REP
GR NO 32398
January 27, 1992

RELATED TOPIC:

MAGALONA v ERMITA
Aug 16, 2011
655 SCRA 476

RELATED TOPIC: NATIONAL TERRITORY

FACTS:
In March 2009, Republic Act 9522, an act defining the archipelagic baselines of
the Philippines was enacted – the law is also known as the Baselines Law. This law was
meant to comply with the terms of the third United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS III), ratified by the Philippines in February 1984.
Professor Merlin Magallona et al questioned the validity of RA 9522 as they
contend, among others, that the law decreased the national territory of the Philippines
hence the law is unconstitutional. Some of their particular arguments are as follows:

a.) the law abandoned the demarcation set by the Treaty of Paris and other ancillary
treaties – this also resulted to the exclusion of our claim over Sabah;

b.) the law, as well as UNCLOS itself, describes the Philippine waters as “archipelagic”
waters which, in international law, opens our waters landward of the baselines to
maritime passage by all vessels (innocent passage) and aircrafts (overflight), undermining
Philippine sovereignty and national security, contravening the country’s nuclear-free
policy, and damaging marine resources, in violation of relevant constitutional provisions;

c.) the classification of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), as well as the Scarborough
Shoal (bajo de masinloc), as a “regime of islands” pursuant to UNCLOS results in the
loss of a large maritime area but also prejudices the livelihood of subsistence fishermen.

ISSUE: Whether or not the contentions of Magallona et al are tenable.

HELD:
No. The Supreme Court emphasized that RA 9522, or UNCLOS, itself is not a
means to acquire, or lose, territory. The treaty and the baseline law has nothing to do with
the acquisition, enlargement, or diminution of the Philippine territory. What controls
when it comes to acquisition or loss of territory is the international law principle on
occupation, accretion, cession and prescription and NOT the execution of multilateral
treaties on the regulations of sea-use rights or enacting statutes to comply with the
treaty’s terms to delimit maritime zones and continental shelves.

The law did not decrease the demarcation of our territory. In fact it increased it.
Under the old law amended by RA 9522 (RA 3046), we adhered with the rectangular
lines enclosing the Philippines. The area that it covered was 440,994 square nautical
miles (sq. na. mi.). But under 9522, and with the inclusion of the exclusive economic
zone, the extent of our maritime was increased to 586,210 sq. na. mi. (See image below
for comparison)

If any, the baselines law is a notice to the international community of the scope of the
maritime space and submarine areas within which States parties exercise treaty-based
rights.

LAWYERS LEAGUE FOR A BETTER PHILIPPINES v AQUINO

G.R. No. 73748
May 22, 1986

RELATED TOPIC: LEGAL STANDING; DE JURE GOVERNMENT

FACTS:
On February 25, 1986, President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 1
announcing that she and Vice President Laurel were taking power.

On March 25, 1986, proclamation No.3 was issued providing the basis of the
Aquino government assumption of power by stating that the “new government was
installed through a direct exercise of the power of the Filipino people assisted by units of
the New Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
Petitioners alleged that the Aquino government is illegal because it was not established
pursuant to the 1973 Constitution.

ISSUES:
1. Whether or not the petitioners have a personality to sue.
2. Whether or not the government of Corazon Aquino is legitimate.

HELD:
 In order that the citizen’s actions may be allowed a party must show that he
personally has suffered some actual or threatened injury as a result of the
allegedly illegal conduct of the government; the injury is fairly traceable to the
challenged action; and the injury is likely to be redressed by a favourable action.
 The community of nations has recognized the legitimacy of the provisional It was
the people that made the judgement and accepted the new government. Thus, the
Supreme Court held its legitimacy.

VILLAVICENCIO v LUKBAN
39 PHIL 778

FACTS:
Justo Lukban, mayor of Manila, ordered the district of ill-repute women closed. One
hundred and seventy women were deported to Davao without their knowledge and
consent. The women were received as laborers in a banana plantation. Some of the
women were able to escape and return to Manila. The attorney for the relatives and
friends of a considerable number of the deportees presented an application for heabes
corpus to the Supreme Court

ISSUE:
1) Whether or not the respondents had authority to deport the women to Davao; and
2) Whether or not the City of Manila has jurisdiction to issue a writ of habeas corpus to
Davao

HELD:
The respondents had no authority to deport the women. No official, no matter how high,
is above the law. The courts are the forum which function to safeguard liberty and to
punish official transgressors. The essential object and purpose of writ of habeas corpus is
to inquire into all manner of involuntary restraint, and to relieve a person therefrom if
such restraint is illegal. If the mayor and the chief of police could deport the women, they
must have the means to return them from Davao to Manila. The respondents may not be
permitted to restrain a fellow citizen of her liberty by forcing her to change her domicile
and to avow the act with impunity in the courts. The great writ of liberty may not be
easily evaded. No one of the defense offered constituted a legitimate bar to the granting
of the writ of habeas corpus.
PERALTA v DIRECTOR OF PRISONS
75 PHIL 285

FACTS:
William Peralta was prosecuted for the crime of robbery and was sentenced to life
imprisonment as defined and penalized by Act No. 65 of the National Assembly of the
Republic of the Philippines. The petition for habeas corpus is based on the contention that
the Court of Special and Exclusive Criminal Jurisdiction created by Ordinance No. 7 was
a political instrumentality of the military forces of Japan and which is repugnant to the
aims of the Commonwealth of the Philippines for it does not afford fair trial and impairs
the constitutional rights of the accused.

ISSUE:
1. Is the creation of court by Ordinance No. 7 valid?
2. Is the sentence of life imprisonment valid?
3. By principle of postliminy, did the punitive sentence cease to be valid from the time of
the restoration of the Commonwealth?

HELD:
There is no room for doubt to the validity of Ordinance No. 7 since the criminal
jurisdiction established by the invader is drawn entirely from the law martial as defined in
the usages of nations. It is merely a governmental agency. The sentence rendered,
likewise, is good and valid since it was within the power and competence of the
belligerent occupant to promulgate Act No. 65. All judgments of political complexion of
the courts during Japanese regime ceased to be valid upon reoccupation of the Islands, as
such, the sentence which convicted the petitioner of a crime of a political complexion
must be considered as having ceased to be valid.

G.R. No. L-533

75 Phil 875
August 20, 1956

Petitioners: Ramon Ruffy, et al.

Respondents: The Chief of Staff, et al.

FACTS: During the Japanese insurrection in the Philippines, military men were
assigned at designated camps or military bases all over the country. Japanese forces went
to Mindoro thus forcing petitioner and his band move up the mountains and organize a
guerilla outfit and call it the "Bolo area". A certain Capt. Beloncio relieved Ruffy and
fellow petitioners of their position and duties in the "Bolo area" by the new authority
vested upon him because of the recent change of command. Capt. Beloncio was thus
allegedly slain by Ruffy and his fellow petitioners.

ISSUE: Whether or not the petitioners were subject to military law at the time the
offense was committed, which was at the time of war and the Japanese occupancy.
 HELD: The Court held that the petitioners were still subject to military law since
members of the Armed Forces were still covered by the National Defense Act, Articles of
War and other laws even during an occupation. The act of unbecoming of an officer and a
gentleman is considered as a defiance of 95th Article of War held petitioners liable to
military jurisdiction and trial. Moreover, they were operating officers, which makes them
even more eligible for the military court's jurisdiction.

In consideration of the foregoing, the petition has no merit and should be

dismissed. Thus, the petition is hereby DENIED.

REAGAN v CIR
30 SCRA 968
GR # L-26379
December 27, 1969

(Constitutional Law – Power to Tax)

FACTS:
Petitioner questioned the payment of an income tax assessed on him by public
respondent on an amount realized by him on a sale of his automobile to a member of the
US Marine Corps, the transaction having taken place at the Clark Field Air Base.
Petitioner contends that the base is outside Philippine territory and therefore beyond the
jurisdictional power to tax.

ISSUE:
Whether or not a sale made on a foreign military base is excluded from tax.

HELD:
No. The said foreign military bases is not a foreign soil or territory for purposes
of income tax legislation. Philippine jurisdictional rights including the power to tax are
preserved.

PROVINCE OF NORTH COTABATO v THE GOVT OF THE RP

OCT 14, 2008
GR# 183591

FACTS:
The Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain Aspect of the GRP-
MILF Tripoli Agreement of Peace of 2001 (MOA) is assailed on its constitutionality.
This document prepared by the joint efforts of the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines (GRP) Peace Panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Peace
Panel, was merely a codification of consensus points reached between both parties and
the aspirations of the MILF to have a Bangsamoro homeland.

ISSUE:
When the Executive Department pronounced to abandon the MOA, is the issue of
its constitutionality merely moot and academic and therefore no longer justiciable by the
Court?

HELD:
Yes. Since the MOA has not been signed, its provisions will not at all come into
effect. The MOA will forever remain a draft that has never been finalized. It is now
nothing more than a piece of paper, with no legal force or binding effect. It cannot be the
source of, nor be capable of violating, any right. The instant Petitions, therefore, and all
other oppositions to the MOA, have no more leg to stand on. They no longer present an
actual case or a justiciable controversy for resolution by this Court.

An actual case or controversy exists when there is a conflict of legal rights or an

assertion of opposite legal claims, which can be resolved on the basis of existing law and
jurisprudence. A justiciable controversy is distinguished from a hypothetical or abstract
difference or dispute, in that the former involves a definite and concrete dispute touching
on the legal relations of parties having adverse legal interests. A justiciable controversy
admits of specific relief through a decree that is conclusive in character, whereas an
opinion only advises what the law would be upon a hypothetical state of facts.

The Court should not feel constrained to rule on the Petitions at bar just because
of the great public interest these cases have generated. We are, after all, a court of law,
and not of public opinion. The power of judicial review of this Court is for settling real
and existent dispute, it is not for allaying fears or addressing public clamor. In acting on
supposed abuses by other branches of government, the Court must be careful that it is not
committing abuse itself by ignoring the fundamental principles of constitutional law.
Republic Act No. 5446 September 18, 1968
as amended by R.A. 9522

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION ONE OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED

THIRTY HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX, ENTITLED "AN ACT TO DEFINE THE
BASELINES OF THE TERRITORIAL SEA OF THE PHILIPPINES"

Section 1. To correct typographical errors, Section one of Republic Act

numbered thirty hundred and forty-six is amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. The baselines for the territorial sea of the Philippines are
hereby defined and described specifically as follows:

N. Latitude E. Longitude Azimuth Distance (In

Meters)
Y’ami Island (E) 21º07’03" 121º57’24"
Line 1 (Y’ami I. (E.) - Tumaruk Rk.) 353º27’ 71,656
Tumaruk Rk. 20º28’28" 122º02’06"
Line 2 (Tumaruk Rk. - Balintang Is.) 347º13’ 58,105
Balintang Islands 19º57’45" 122º09’28"
Line 3 (Balintang Is. - Didicas Rk.) 357º05’ 97,755
Didicas Rk. 19º04’50" 122º12’18"
Line 4 (Didicas Rk. - Iligan Pt.) 350º39’ 86,155
Iligan Pt. 18º18’45" 122º20’15"
Line 5 (Iligan Pt. - Ditolong Pt.) 351º23’ 136,030
Ditolong Pt. 17º05’50" 122º31’44"
Line 6 (Ditolong Pt. - Diviuisa Pt.) 16º56’ 34,375
Diviuisa Pt. 16º48’00" 122º26’06"
Line 7 (Diviuisa Pt. - Dijohan Pt.) 21º01’ 57,781
Dijohan Pt. 16º18’45" 122º14’28"
Line 7a (Dijohan Pt. - Bulubalik Pt.) 10º52’ 142,360
Bulubalik Pt. 15º02’56" 121º59’30"
Line 8 (Bulubalik Pt. - Tinaga I.) 300º15’ 120,980
Tinaga I. 14º29’45" 122º57’40"
Line 9 (Tinaga I. - Horadaba Rks.) 286º27’ 148,690
Horadaba Rks. 14º06’41" 124º16’54"
Line 10 (Horadaba Rks. - Matulin Rk.) 306º34’ 1,083
Matulin Rk. 14º06’20" 124º17’23"
Line 11 (Matulin Rk. - Atalaya Pt.) 331º46’ 178,480
Atalaya Pt. 12º40’59" 125º04’02"
Line 11a (Atalaya Pt. - Finch Rk.) 313º30’ 22,263
Finch Rk. 12º32’40" 125º12’57"
Line 12 (Finch Rk. - SE of Manjud Pt.) 313º56’ 12,663
SE Manjud Pt. 12º27’54" 125º17’59"
Line 12a (SE of Manjud Pt. - Sora Cay) 322º27’ 14,225
Sora Cay 12º21’47" 125º22’46"
Line 13 (Sora Cay - Bunga Pt.) 321º03’ 22,761
Bunga Pt. 12º12’10" 125º30’40"
Line 13a (Bunga Pt. - Tubabao I.) 331º50’ 12,646
Tubabao I. 12º06’06" 125º33’58"
Line 14 (Tubabao I. - Tugnug Pt.) 355º22’ 83,225
Tugnug Pt. 11º12’06" 125º37’40"
Line 15 (Tugnug Pt. - Suluan I.) 331º03’ 75,326
Suluan Island 10º45’20" 125º37’40"
Line 16 (Suluan I. - Tuason Pt.) 347º51’ 107,070
Tuason Pt. 9º48’33" 126º10’00"
Line 17 (Tuason Pt. - Cauit Pt.) 355º25’ 55,415
Cauit Pt. 9º18’35" 126º12’25"
Line 18 (Cauit Pt. Arangasa Is.) 342º44’ 49,703
Arangasa Is. 8º52’50" 126º20’28"
Line 19 (Arangasa Is. - Quinablangan I.) 348º40’ 131,330
Quinablangan I. 7º42’58" 126º34’30"
Line 19a (Quinablangan I - Above Languyan R.) 353º08’ 25,619
Above Languyan R. 7º29’10" 126º36’10"
Line 20 (Above Languyan R. - Pusan Pt.) 356º52’ 22,489
Pusan Pt. 7º16’59" 126º36’50"
Line 21 (Pusan Pt. - Tugubun Pt.) 26º39’ 36,259
Tugubun Pt. 6º59’24" 126º28’00"
Line 22 (Tugubun Pt. - Cape S. Agustin N.) 20º33’ 83,350
Cape San Agustin (N) 6º17’03" 126º12’08"
Line 22a (Cape S. Agustin (N) - Cape San Agustin (S) 30º16’ 1,707
Cape San Agustin (S) 6º16’15" 126º11’40"
Line 23 (Cape S. Agustin (S) - Panguil Bato Pt.) 39º23’ 125,100
Panguil Bato Pt. 5º23’45" 125º28’42"
Line 23a (Panguil Bato Pt. - Tapundo Pt.) 66º32’ 7,484
Tapundo Pt. 5º22’08" 125º24’59"
Line 24 (Tapundo Pt. - Manamil I.) 89º19’ 7,667
Manamil I. 5º22’05" 125º20’50"
Line 24a (Manamil I. - Balut I. (W) 139º01’ 3,051
Balut I. (W) 5º23’20" 125º19’45"
Line 25 (Balut I. (W) - Middle of 3 Rk. Awash) 124º47’ 149,840
Middle of 3 Rk. Awash 6º09’39" 124º13’02"
Line 26 (Middle of 3 Rk. Awash - Tongquil I.) 86º18’ 259,400
Tongquil I. 6º00’15" 121º52’45"
Line 27 (Tongquil I. - Sumbasumba I.) 61º29’ 115,950
Sumbasumba I. 5º30’10" 120º57’35"
Line 28 (Sumbasumba I. - Kinapusan Is.) 43º19’ 44,445
Kinapusan Is. 5º12’37" 120º41’05"
Line 29 (Kinapusan Is. - Manuk Manka I.) 63º14’ 101,290
Manuk Manka I. 4º47’50" 119º52’10"
Line 30 (Manuk Manka I. - Frances Reef) 58º30’ 80,847
Frances Reef 4º24’54" 119º14’54"
Line 31 (Frances Reef - Bajapa Reef) 134º34’ 29,330
Bajapa Reef 4º36’04" 119º03’36"
Line 32 (Bajapa Reef - Panguan I.) 164º05’ 13,480
Panguan I. 4º43’06" 119º01’36"
Line 33 (Panguan I. - Omapoy I.) 238º48’ 42,470
Omapoy I. 4º55’02" 119º21’15"
Line 34 (Omapoy I. - Sanga-Sanga I.) 246º11’ 51,003
Sanga-Sanga I. 5º06’12" 119º46’30"
Line 35 (Sanga-Sanga I. - Pearl Bank) 170º05’ 80,200
Pearl Bank 5º49’04" 119º39’01"
Line 36 (Pearl Bank - Baguan I.) 103º13’ 137,050
Baguan I. 6º06’00" 118º26’42"
Line 36a (Baguan I. - Taganak I.) 76º52’ 15,535
Taganak I. 6º04’05" 118º18’30"
Line 37 (Taganak I. - Gt. Bakkungaan) 118º39’ 24,805
Gt. Bakkungaan 6º10’32" 118º06’42"
Line 37a (Gt. Bakkungaan-Sibaung I.) 136º04’ 18,470
Sibaung I. 6º17’45" 117º59’45"
Line 38 (Sibaung - I. Muligi I.) 215º36’ 79,915
Muligi I. 6º53’00" 118º25’00"
Line 39 (Muligi I. - Mangsee Is.) 119º14’ 140,541
Mangsee Is. 7º30’10" 117º18’20"
Line 39a (Mangsee Is. - Cape Melville) 134º50’ 48,815
Cape Melville 7º48’50" 116º59’30"
Line 40 (Cape Melville - Ligas Pt.) 153º54’ 15,665
Ligas Pt. 7º56’28" 116º55’45"
Line 41 (Ligas Pt. - Cay) 170º40’ 5,666
Cay 7º59’30" 116º55’15"
Line 41a (Cay-Secam I.) 204º52’ 22,925
Secam I. 8º10’47" 117º00’30"
Line 42 (Secam I. - N. of Canipan Bay) 209º09’ 54,990
N. of Canipan Bay 8º36’50" 117º15’06"
Line 43 (N. of Canipan Bay-Tatub Pt.) 218º57’ 18,570
Tatub Pt. 8º44’40" 117º21’28"
Line 44 (Tatub Pt. - Punta Baja) 222º04’ 45,125
Punta Baja 9º02’50" 117º37’58"
Line 45 (Punta Baja - Malapackun I.) 223º30’ 32,195
Malapackun I. 9º15’30" 117º50’04"
Line 46 (Malapackun I. - Piedras Pt.) 225º50’ 148,260
Piedras Pt. 10º11’28" 118º48’18"
Line 47 (Piedras Pt. - Tapiutan I.) 203º19’ 124,900
Tapiutan I. 11º13’40" 119º15’28"
Line 48 (Tapiutan I. - Pinnacle Rk.) 208º47’ 136,590
Pinnacle Rk. 12º18’34" 119º51’45"
Line 49 (Pinnacle Rk. - Cape Calavite) 200º40’ 134,230
Cape Calavite 13º26’40" 120º18’00"
Line 50 (Cape Calavite-Cabra I.) 148º12’ 58,235
Cabra I. 13º53’30" 120º00’58"
Line 51 (Cabra I. - Capones Is.) 179º26’ 113,400
Capones Is. 14º55’00" 120º00’20"
Line 52 (Capones Is. - Palauig Pt.) 168º09’ 58,100
Palauig Pt. 15º25’50" 119º53’40"
Line 53 (Palauig. - Hermana Mayor I.) 164º17’ 40,870
Hermana Mayor I. 15º47’10" 119º47’28"
Line 53a (Hermana Mayor I. - Tambobo Pt.) 167º10’ 20,490
Tambobo Pt. 15º58’00" 119º44’55"
Line 54 (Tambobo Pt. - Rena Pt.) 181º43’ 22,910
Rena Pt. 16º10’25" 119º45’18"
Line 54a (Rena Pt. - Cape Bolinao) 191º39’ 18,675
Cape Bolinao 16º20’20" 119º47’25"
Line 55 (Cape Bolinao - Darigayos Pt.) 226º20’ 80,016
Darigayos Pt. 16º50’15" 120º20’00"
Line 56 (Darigayos Pt. - Dile Pt.) 179º58’ 81,616
Dile Pt. 17º34’30" 120º19’58"
Line 56a (Dile Pt. - Pinget I.) 188º27’ 12,060
Pinget I. 17º40’58" 120º20’58"
Line 56b (Pinget I. - Badoc I.) 192º46’ 27,170
Badoc I. 17º55’20" 120º24’22"
Line 57 (Badoc I. - Cape Bojeador) 195º03’ 65,270
Cape Bojeador 18º29’30" 120º34’00"
Line 58 (Cape Bojeador - Dalupiri I.) 222º16’ 101,740
Dalupiri I. 19º10’15" 121º13’02"
Line 59 (Dalupiri I. - Catanapan Pt.) 213º29’ 25,075
Catanapan Pt. 19º21’35" 121º20’56"
Line 60 (Catanapan Pt. - Dequey I.) 202º27’ 116,870
Dequey I. 20º20’06" 121º46’35"
Line 61 (Dequey I. - Raile) 180º47’ 42,255
Raile 20º43’00" 121º46’55"
Line 62 (Raile - Y’ami I. (W) 200º30’ 48,140
Y’ami I. (W) 21º07’26" 121º56’39"
Line 63 (Y’ami I. (W) - Y’ami I. (M) 238º40’ 237
Y’ami I. (M) 21º07’30" 121º56’46"
Line 64 (Y’ami I. (M) - Y’ami I. (E) 307º08’ 1,376
Y’ami I. (E) 21º07’03" 121º57’24"

Section 2. The definition of the baselines of the territorial sea of the Philippine
Archipelago as provided in this Act is without prejudice to the delineation of the
baselines of the territorial sea around the territory of Sabah, situated in North
Borneo, over which the Republic of the Philippines has acquired dominion and
sovereignty.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: September 18, 1968

REPUBLIC ACT No. 3046

(as amended by RA 5446)

AN ACT DEFINE THE BASELINES OF THE TERRITORIAL SEA OF THE

PHILIPPINES.

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Philippines describes the national territory as

comprising all the territory ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Paris
concluded between the United States and Spain on December 10, 1898, the limits of
which are set forth in Article III of said treaty, together with all the islands
embraced in the treaty concluded at Washington, between the United States and
Spain on November 7, 1900, and in the treaty concluded between the United States
and Great Britain on January 2, 1930, and all the territory over which the
Government of the Philippine Islands exercised jurisdiction at the time of the
adoption of the Constitution;
WHEREAS, all the waters within the limits set forth in the above-mentioned
treaties have always been regarded as part of the territory of the Philippine Islands;

WHEREAS, all the waters around, between and connecting the various islands of
the Philippines archipelago, irrespective of their width or dimension, have always
been considered as necessary appurtenances of the land territory, forming part of
the inland or internal waters of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, all the waters beyond the outermost islands of the archipelago but
within the limits of the boundaries set forth in the aforementioned treaties comprise
the territorial sea of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the baselines from which the territorial sea of the Philippines is
determined consist of straight lines joining appropriate points of the outermost
islands of the archipelago; and

WHEREAS, the said baselines should be clarified and specifically defined and
described for the information of all concerned; Now, therefor,

Section 1. The baselines for the territorial sea of the Philippines are hereby defined
and described specifically as follows:

Distance in
N. Latitude E. Longitude Asimuth
Meters

Y'ami Island (E) 21º07'03" 121º57'24" 353º27' 71,656

Line 1 (Yami I. (E.) — Tumaruk
Rk.)

Tumaruk Rk. 20º28'28" 122º02'06" 347º13' 58,105

Line 2 (Tumaruk Rk. —
Balintang Is.)

Balintang Island 19º57'45" 122º09'28" 375º05' 97,755

Line 3 (Balingtang Is.—
Didicas Rk.)

Didicas Rk. 19º04'50" 122º12'18" 350º39' 86,155

Line 4 (Didicas Rk. - Iligan Pt.)

Iligan Pt. 18º18'45" 122º20'15" 351º23' 136,030

Line 5 (Iligan Pt. - Ditolong Pt.)

Ditolong Pt. 17º05'50" 122º31'44" 16º56' 34,378

Line 6 (Ditolong Pt. - Diviuisa
Pt.)

Diviuisa Pt. 16º48'00" 122º26'06" 21º01' 57,781

Line 7 (Diviuisa Pt. - Dijohan
Pt.)

Dijohan Pt. 16º18'45" 122º14'28" 10º52' 142,360

Line 7a (Dijohan Pt. - Bulubalik
Pt.)

Bulubalik Pt. 15º02'56" 121º59'30" 300º15' 120,986

Line 8 (Bulubalik Pt. - Tinaga
I.)

Tinaga I. 14º29'45" 122º57'40" 286º27' 148,690

Line 9 (Tinaga I. - Horadaba
Rks.)

Horadaba Rks. 14º06'41" 124º16'54" 306º34' 1,083

Line 10 (Horadaba Rks. —
Matulin Rk.)

Matulin Rk. 14º06'20" 124º17'23" 331º46' 178,480

Line 11 (Matulin Rk. - Atalaya
Pt.)

Atalaya Pt. 12º40'59" 125º04'02" 313º30' 22,268

Line 11a (Atalaya Pt. - Finch
Rk.)

Finch Rk. 12º32'40" 125º12'57" 313º56' 12,665

Line 12 (Finch Rk. - SE of
Manjud Pt.)

SE Manjud pt. 12º27'54" 125º17'59" 322º27' 14,225

Line 12a (SE of Manjud Pt. -
Sora Cay)

Sora Cay 12º21'47" 125º22'46" 321º03' 22,793

Line 13 (Sora Cay - Bunga Pt.)

Bunga Pt. 12º12'10" 125º30'40" 331º50' 12,686

Line 13a (Bunga Pt. - Tubabao
I.)

Tubabao I. 23º06'06" 125º33'58" 355º22' 83,235

Line 14 (Tubabao I. - Tugnug
Pt.)

Tugnug Pt. 11º21'06" 125º37'40" 331º03' 75,326

Line 15 (Tugnug Pt. - Suluan
I.)

Suluan Island 10º45'20" 125º57'40" 347º51' 107,070

Line 16 (Suluan I. - Tuason
Pt.)

Tuason Pt. 9º48'33" 126º10'00" 355º25' 55,415

Line 17 (Tuason Pt. - Cauit Pt.)

Cauit Pt. 9º18'35" 126º12'25" 342º44' 49,703

Line 18 (Cauit Pt. Arangasa
Is.)

Arangasa Is. 8º52'50" 126º20'28" 348º40' 131,330

Line 19 Arangasa Is. -
Quinablangan I.)

Quinablangan I. 7º42'58" 126º34'30" 353º08' 25,619

Line 19a (Quinablangan I. -
Above Languyan R.)

Above Languyan R. 7º29'10" 126º36'10" 356º52' 22,489

Line 20 (Above Languyan R.
— Pusan Pt.)

Pusan Pt. 7º16'59" 126º36'50" 26º39' 36,259

Line 21 (Pusan Pt. - Tuguban
Pt.)

Tuguban Pt. 6º59'24" 126º28'00" 20º33' 83,350

Line 22 (Tuguban Pt. - Cape S.
Agustin N.)

Cape San Agustin (N) 6º17'03" 126º12'08" 30º16' 1,707

Line 22a (Cape S. Agustin (N)
— Cape San Agustin (S)

Cape San Agustin (S) 6º16'15" 126º11'40" 39º23' 125,100

Line 23 (Cape S. Agustin (S)
— Panguil Bato Pt.)

Panguil Bato Pt. 5º23'45" 125º28'42" 66º32' 7,484

Line 23a (Panguil Bato Pt. -
Tapundo Pt.)

Tapudo Pt. 5º22'08" 125º24'59" 89º19' 7,667

Line 24 (Tapundo Pt. -
Manamil I.)

Manamil I. 5º22'05" 125º20'50" 139º01' 3,051

Line 24a (Manamil I. - Balut I.
(W)

Balut I. (W) 5º23'20" 125º19'45" 124º47' 149,840

Line 25 (Balut I. (W) - Middle of
3 Rk. Awash)

Middle of 3 Rk. Awash 6º09'39" 124º13'02" 86º18' 259,400

Line 26 (Middle of 3 Rk. Awash
— Tongquil I.)

Tongquil I. 6º00'15" 121º52'45" 61º29' 115,950

Line 27 (Tongquil I. -
Sumbasumba I.)

Sumbasumba I. 5º30'10" 120º57'35" 43º19' 44,445

Line 28 (Sumbasumba I. -
Kinapusan Is.)

Kinapusan Is. 5º12'37" 120º41'05" 63º14' 101,290

Line 29 (Kinapusan Is. - Manuk
Manka I.)

Manuk Manka I. 4º47'50" 119º52'10" 58º30' 80,847

Line 30 (Manuk Manka I. -
Frances Reef)

Frances Reef 4º24'54" 119º14'54" 134º34' 29,330

Line 31 (Frances Reef -
Bajapa Reef)

Bajapa Reef 4º36'04" 119º03'36" 164º05' 13,480

Line 32 (Bajapa Reef) -
Panguan I.)

Panguan I. 4º43'06" 119º01'36" 238º48' 42,470

Line 33 (Panguan I. - Omapoy
I.)

Omapoy I. 4º55'02" 119º21'15" 246º11' 51,005

Line 34 (Omapoy I. - Sanga-
Sanga I.)

Sanga-Sanga I. 5º06'12" 119º46'30" 170º05' 80,200

Line 35 (Sanga-Sanga I. -
Pearl Bank)

Pearl Bank 5º49'04" 119º39'01" 103º13' 137,050

Line 36 (Pearl Bank - Baguan
I.)

Baguan I 6º06'00" 118º26'42" 76º52' 15,535

Line 36a (Banguan I. -
Taganak I.)

Taganak I. 6º04'05" 118º18'30" 118º39' 24,805

Line 37 (Taganak I. - Gt.
Bakkungaan O

Gt. Bakkungaan 6º10'32" 118º06'42" 136º04' 18,470

Line 37a (Gt. Bakkungaan -
Sibaung I.)

Sibaung I. 6º17'45" 117º59'45" 215º36' 79,915

Line 38 (Sibaung - I. Muligi I.

Mulugi I. 6º53'00" 118º25'00" 119º14' 140,541

Line 39 (Mulugi I. - Mangsee
Is.)

Mangsee Is. 7º30'10" 117º18'20" 134º50 48,815

Line 39a (Mangsee Is. - Cape
Melville)

Cape Melville 7º48'50" 116º59'30" 153º54' 15,665

Line 40 (Cape Melville - Ligas
Pt.)

Ligas Pt. 7º56'28" 116º55'45" 170º40' 5,666

Line 41 (Ligas Pt. - Cay)

Cay 7º59'30" 116º55'15" 204º52' 22,925

Line 41a (Cay-Secam I.)

Secam I. 8º10'47" 117º00'30" 209º09' 54,900

Line 42 (Secam I. - N. of
Canipan Bay)

N. of Canipan Bay 8º36'50" 117º15'06" 218º57' 18,570

Line 43 (N. of Canipan Bay —
Tatub Pt.)

Tatub Pt. 8º44'40" 117º21'28" 222º04' 45,125

Line 44 (Tatub Pt. - Punta
Baja)

Punta Baja 9º02'50" 117º37'58" 223º30' 32,194

Line 45 (Punta Baja -
Malapackun I.)

Malapackun I. 9º15'30" 117º50'04" 225º50' 148,260

Line 46 (Malapackun I. -
Piedras Pt.)

Piedras Pt. 10º11'28" 118º48'18" 203º19' 124,900

Line 47 (Piedras Pt. - Tapuitan
I.)

Tapuitan I. 11º13'40" 119º15'28" 208º47' 136,590

Line 48 (Tapuitan I. - Pinnacle
Rk.)

Pincle Rk. 12º18'34" 119º51'45" 200º40' 134,230

Line 49 (Pinnacle Rk. - Cape
Calavite

Cape Calavite 13º26'40" 120º18'00" 148º12' 58,235

Line 50 (Cape Calavite - Cabra
I.)

Cabra I. 13º53'30" 120º00'58" 179º26' 113,400

Line 51 (Cabra I. - Capones
Is.)

Capones Is. 14º55'00" 120º00'20" 168º09' 58,100

Line 52 (Capones Is. - Pa-
Lauig Pt.)

Palauig Pt. 15º25'50" 119º53'40" 164º17' 40,870

Line 53 (Palauig. - Hermana
Mayor I.)

Hermana Mayor I. 15º47'10" 119º47'28" 167º10' 20,490

Line 53a (Hermana Mayor —
Tambobo Pt.)

Tambobo Pt. 15º58'00" 119º44'55" 181º43' 22,910

Line 54 (Tambobo Pt. - Rena
Pt.)

Rena Pt. 16º10'25" 119º45'18" 191º39' 18,675

Line 54a (Rena Pt. - Cape
Bolinao

Cape Bolinao 16º20'20" 119º47'25" 226º20' 80,016

Line 55 (Cape Bolinao -
Darigayos Pt.)

Darigayos Pt. 16º50'15" 120º20'00" 179º58' 81,616

 Line 56 (Darigayos Pt. - Dile
Pt.)

Dile Pt. 17º34'30" 120º19'58" 188º27' 12,060

Line 56a (Disle Pt. - Pinget I.)

Pinget I. 17º40'58" 120º20'58" 192º46' 27,170

Line 56b (Pinget I. - Badoc I.)

Badoc I. 17º55'20" 120º24'22" 195º03' 65,270

Line 57 (Badoc I. - Cape
Bojeador)

Cape Bojeador 18º29'30" 120º34'00" 222º16' 101,740

Line 58 (Cape Bojeador -
Dalupiri I.)

Dalupiri I. 19º10'15" 121º13'02" 213º29' 25,075

Line 59 (Dalupiri I. -
Catanapan Pt.)

Catanapan Pt. 19º21'35" 121º20'56" 202º27' 116,870

Line 60 (Catanapan Pt. -
Dequey I.)

Dequey I. 29º20'06" 121º46'35" 180º47' 42,255

Line 61 (Dequey I. - Raile)

Raile 20º43'00" 121º46'55" 200º30' 48,140

Line 62 (Raile - Y'ami I. (W)

Y'ami I.(W) 21º07'26" 121º56'39" 238º40' 237

Line 63 (Y'ami I. (W) - Y'ami I.
(M)

Y'ami I. (M) 21º07'30" 121º56'46" 307º08' 1,376

Line 64 (Y'ami I.(M) - Y'ami I.
(E)

Y'ami I. (E) 21º07'03" 121º57'24"

Section 2. All waters within the baselines provided for in Section one hereof are
considered inland or internal waters of the Philippines.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 17, 1961.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1599

ESTABLISHING AN EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

WHEREAS, an exclusive economic zone extending to a distance of two hundred

nautical miles from the baselines from which the territorial sea is measured is vital to
the economic survival and development of the Republic of the Philippines;

WHEREAS, such a zone is now a recognized principle of international law;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by

virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order:

Section 1. There is hereby established a zone to be known as the exclusive economic

zone of the Philippines. The exclusive economic zone shall extend to a distance of two
hundred nautical miles beyond and from the baselines from which the territorial sea
is measured: Provided, That, where the outer limits of the zone as thus determined
overlap the exclusive economic zone of an adjacent or neighboring state, the common
boundaries shall be determined by agreement with the state concerned or in
accordance with pertinent generally recognized principles of international law on
delimitation.

Section 2. Without prejudice to the rights of the Republic of the Philippines over it
territorial sea and continental shelf, it shall have and exercise in the exclusive
economic zone established herein the following;

(a) Sovereignty rights for the purpose of exploration and exploitation, conservation
and management of the natural resources, whether living or non-living, both
renewable and non-renewable, of the sea-bed, including the subsoil and the
superjacent waters, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation
and exploration of the resources of the zone, such as the production of energy from
the water, currents and winds;

(b) Exclusive rights and jurisdiction with respect to the establishment and utilization
of artificial islands, off-shore terminals, installations and structures, the preservation
of the marine environment, including the prevention and control of pollution, and
scientific research;

(c) Such other rights as are recognized by international law or state practice.

Section 3. Except in accordance with the terms of any agreement entered into with the
Republic of the Philippines or of any license granted by it or under authority by the
Republic of the Philippines, no person shall, in relation to the exclusive economic
zone:
(a) explore or exploit any resources;

(b) carry out any search, excavation or drilling operations:

(c) conduct any research;

(d) construct, maintain or operate any artificial island, off-shore terminal, installation
or other structure or device; or

(e) perform any act or engage in any activity which is contrary to, or in derogation of,
the sovereign rights and jurisdiction herein provided.

Nothing herein shall be deemed a prohibition on a citizen of the Philippines, whether

natural or juridical, against the performance of any of the foregoing acts, if allowed
under existing laws.

Section 4. Other states shall enjoy in the exclusive economic zone freedoms with
respect to navigation and overflight, the laying of submarine cables and pipelines, and
other internationally lawful uses of the sea relating to navigation and
communications.

Section 5. (a) The President may authorize the appropriate government office/agency
to make and promulgate such rules and regulations which may be deemed proper and
necessary for carrying out the purposes of this degree.

(b) Any person who shall violate any provision of this decree or of any rule or
regulation promulgated hereunder and approved by the President shall be subject to
a fine which shall not be less than two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) nor be more than
one hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) or imprisonment ranging from six (6)
months to ten (10) years, or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the
court. Vessels and other equipment or articles used in connection therewith shall be
subject to seizure and forfeiture.

Section 6. This Decree shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official
Gazette.

Done in the City of Manila, this 11th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and seventy-eight.
Republic Act No. 9522 March 10, 2009

AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3046, AS

AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5446, TO DEFINE THE ARCHIPELAGIC
BASELINE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled::

Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 3046, entitled "An Act to Define the Baselines
of the Territorial Sea of the Philippines", as amended by Section 1 of Republic Act
No. 5446, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 1. The baselines of the Philippines archipelago are hereby defined and
described specifically as follows:

Basepoint Station Location World Geodetic System of 1984 Distance

Number Name (WGS 84) Coordinates to next
basepoint
Latitude (N) Longitude (E) (M)

1 PAB-01 Amianan Is. 21º6’57.73" 121º57’27.71" 70.08

2 PAB-02 Balintang Is. 19º57’38.19" 122º9’46.32" 99.17

3 PAB-04 Bigan Pt. 18º18’35.30" 122º20’19.07" 71.83

4 PAB-05A Ditolong Pt. 17º7’16.30" 122º31’28.34" 1.05

5 PAB-05B Ditolong Pt. 17º6’14.79" 122º31’43.84" 0.39

6 PAB-05 Ditolong Pt. 17º5’51.31" 122º31’42.66" 3.29

7 PAB-06 Spires Is. 17º2’36.91" 122º31’3.28" 9.74

8 PAB-06B Digollorin Pt. 16º59’18.03" 122º27’56.61" 3.51

9 PAB-06C Digollorin Rk. 16º49’56.11" 122º26’50.78" 2.40

10 PAB-07 Divimisa Pt. 16º47’38.86" 122º26’4.40" 30.94

11 PAB-08 Dinoban Pt. 16º18’44.33" 122º14’06.69" 116.26

12 PAB-10A Tinaga Is. 14º29’54.43" 122º57’51.15" 80.29

13 PAB-11 Horodaba Rk. 14º6.29.91" 124º16’59.21" 0.54

14 PAB-12 Matulin Rk. 14º6.10.40" 124º17’26.28" 96.04

15 PAB-13 Atalaya Pt. 12º41’6.37" 125º3’53.71" 6.79

16 PAB-13A Bacan Is. 12º36’18.41" 125º8’50.19" 5.52

17 PAB-14 Finch Rk. 12º32.33.62" 125º12’59.70" 0.80

18 PAB-14A Cube Rk. 12º31.57.45" 125º13’32.37" 4.90

19 PAB-14D NW Manjud Pt. 12º28’36.42" 125º17’12.32" 1.30

20 PAB-15 SE Manjud Pt. 12º27’37.51" 125º18’5.23" 7.09

21 PAB-16A S Sorz Cay 12º21’41.64" 125º23’7.41" 5.68

22 PAB-16B Panablihon 12º17’27.17" 125º27’0.12" 5.21

23 PAB-16C Alugon 12º13’21.95" 125º30’19.47" 1.94

24 PAB-16D N Bunga Pt. 12º11’48.16" 125º31’30.88" 0.54

25 PAB-17 E Bunga Pt. 12º11’20.67" 125º31’48.29" 5.71

26 PAB-18A SE Tobabao Is. 12º6’7.00" 125º34’11.94" 83.94

27 PAB-19C Suluan Is. 10º45’16.70" 125º58’8.78" 56.28

28 PAB-19D N Tuason Pt. 9º49’59.58" 126º10’6.39" 57.44

29 PAB-20A Arangasa Is. 8º53’16.62" 126º20’48.81" 40.69

30 PAB-21B Sanco Pt. 8º13’11.53" 126º28’53.25" 30.80

31 PAB-22 Bagoso Is 7º42’45.02" 126º34’29.08" 12.95

32 PAB-22C Languyan 7º29’49.47" 126º35’59.24" 0.54

33 PAB-23 Languyan 7º29’16.93" 126º35’59.50" 0.76

34 PAB-23B Languyan 7º28’30.97" 126º35’57.30" 1.2

35 PAB-23C N Baculin Pt. 7º27’29.42" 126º35’51.31" 10.12

36 PAB-24 Pusan Pt. 7º17’19.80" 126º36’18.26" 1.14

37 PAB-24A S Pusan Pt. 7º16’14.43" 126º35’57.20" 63.28

38 PAB-25B Cape San Agustin 6º17’14.73" 126º12’14.40" 1.28

39 PAB-25 Cape San Agustin 6º16’8.35" 126º11’35.06" 67.65

40 PAB-26 SE Sarangani Is. 5º23’34.20" 125º28’42.11" 0.43

41 PAB-27 Pangil Bato Pt. 5º23’21.80" 125º28’19.59" 3.44

42 PAB-28 Tapundo Pt. 6º21’55.66" 126º25’11.21" 3.31

43 PAB-29 W Calia Pt. 5º21’58.48" 125º21’52.03" 0.87

44 PAB-30 Manamil Is. 5º22’2.91" 125º20’59.73" 1.79

45 PAB-31 Marampog Pt. 5º23’20.18" 125º19’44.29" 78.42

46 PAB-32 Pola Pt. 6º9’8.44" 124º15’42.81" 122.88

47 PAB-33A Kantuan Is 6º26’47.22" 122º13.34.50" 29.44

48 PAB-34A Tongguil Is. 6º2’33.77" 121º56’36.20" 2.38

49 PAB-35 Tongquil Is 6º1’8.51" 121º54’41.45" 1.72

50 PAB-35A Tongquil Is. 6º0’17.88" 121º63’11.17" 85.94

51 PAB-38A Kirapusan Is 5º12.8.70" 120º41’38.14" 55.24

52 PAB-39 Manuk Manka Is. 4º47’39.24" 119º51’58.08" 43.44

53 PAB-40 Frances Reef 4º24’53.84" 119º14’50.71 0.61

54 PAB-40A Frances Reef 4º25’3.83" 119º14’15.15" 15.48

55 PAB-41A Bajapa Reef 4º36"9.01" 119º3’22.75" 6.88

56 PAB-42A Paguan Is. 4º42’52.07" 119º1’44.04" 8.40

57 PAB-43 Alice Reef 4º45’55.25" 119º3’15.19" 2.28

58 PAB-44 Alice Reef 4º47’5.36" 119º5’12.94" 18.60

59 PAB-45 Omapoy Rk. 4º55’10.45" 119º22’1.30 23.37

60 PAB-46 Bukut Lapis Pt. 5º2’23.73" 119º44’18.14" 44.20

61 PAB-47 Pearl Bank 5º46’35.15" 119º39’51.77" 75.17

62 PAB-48 Bagnan Is. 6º5’58.41" 118º26’57.30" 8.54

63 PAB-48A Taganak Is 6º4’14.08" 118º18’33.33" 13.46

64 PAB-49 Great Bakkungaan Is. 6º11’4.65" 118º6’54.15" 3.97

65 PAB-50 Libiman Is. 6º13’39.90" 118º3’52.09" 5.53

66 PAB-51 Sibaung Is. 6º17’43.99" 118º0’5.44" 41.60

67 PAB-52 Muligi Is. 6º52’14.53" 118º23’40.49" 75.06

68 PAB-53 South Mangsee Is. 7º30’26.05" 117º18’33.75" 26.00

69 PAB-54 Balabac Is. 7º48’30.69" 116º59’39.18" 6.08

70 PAB-54A Balabac Great Reef 7º51’27.17" 116º54’17.19" 1.18

71 PAB-54B Balabac Great Reef 7º52’19.86" 116º53’28.73" 2.27

72 PAB-55 Balabac Great Reef 7º54’36.35" 116º53’16.64" 5.42

73 PAB-60 Ada Reef 8º2’0.26" 116º54’10.04" 10.85

74 PAB.61 Secam Is. 8º11’18.36" 116º59’51.87" 30.88

75 PAB-62 Latua Pt. 8º87’56.37" 117º15’51.23" 7.91

76 PAB-63 SW Tatub Pt. 8º44’17.40" 117º20’39.37" 11.89

77 PAB-63A W Sicud Pt. 8º53’32.20" 117º28’15.78" 13.20

78 PAB-64 Tarumpitao Pt. 9º2.57.47" 117º37’38.88" 81.12

79 PAB.64B Dry Is. 9º59’22.54" 118º36’53.61" 82.76

80 PAB-65C Sinangcolan Pt. 11º13’19.82" 119º15’17.74" 74.65

81 PAB-67 Pinnacle Rk. 12º19’35.22" 119º50’56.00 93.88

82 PAB-68 Cabra Is 13º53’24.45" 120º1’5.86" 115.69

83 PAB-71 Hermana Mayor Is. 15º48’43.61" 119º46’56.09" 9.30

84 PAB-72 Tambobo Pt. 15º57’61.67" 119º44’55.32" 12.06

85 PAB-72B Rena Pt. 16º9’57.90" 119º45.15.76" 0.25

 86 PAB-73 Rena Pt. 16º10’12.42" 119º45’11.95" 6.43

87 PAB-74 Rocky Ledge 16º16’34.46" 119º46’19.50" 0.65

88 PAB-74A Piedra Pt. 16º37’12.70" 119º46’28.62" 1.30

89 PAB-75 Piedra Pt. 16º18’29.49" 119º46’44.94" 1.04

90 PAB-75C Piedra Pt. 16º19’28.20" 119º47’7.69" 0.63

91 PAB-75D Piedra Pt. 16º20’4.38" 119º47’20.48" 80.60

92 PAB-76 Dile Pt. 17º34’24.94" 120º20’33.36" 6.86

93 PAB-77 Pinget Is. 17º41’17.56" 120º21’2.20" 14.15

94 PAB-78 Baboc Is. 17º55’4.13" 120º24’40.56" 35.40

95 PAB-79 Cape Bojeador 18º29’32.42" 120º33’42.41" 1.77

96 PAB-79B Bobon 18º30’52.88" 120º34’55.35" 58.23

97 PAB-80 Calagangan Pt. 19º10’14.78" 121º12’52.64" 98.07

98 PAB-82 Itbayat Is. 20º43’15.74" 121º46’57.80" 25.63

99 PAB-83 Amianan Is 21º7’17.47" 121º56’43.85" 0.08

100 PAB-84 Amianan Is. 21º7’18.41" 121º56’48.79" 0.25

101 PAB-85 Amianan Is. 21º7’12.04" 121º57’3.65" 0.44

Section 2. The baseline in the following areas over which the Philippines likewise
exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction shall be determined as "Regime of Islands"
under the Republic of the Philippines consistent with Article 121 of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):

a) The Kalayaan Island Group as constituted under Presidential Decree No. 1596;
and

b) Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.

Section 3. This Act affirms that the Republic of the Philippines has dominion,
sovereignty and jurisdiction over all portions of the national territory as defined in
the Constitution and by provisions of applicable laws including, without limitation,
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, as
amended.

Section 4. This Act, together with the geographic coordinates and the chart and maps
indicating the aforesaid baselines, shall be deposited and registered with the Secretary
General of the United Nations.
Section 5. The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)
shall forthwith produce and publish charts and maps of the appropriate scale clearly
representing the delineation of basepoints and baselines as set forth in this Act.

Section 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
provided in a supplemental budyet or included in the General Appropriations Act of
the year of its enactment into law.

Section 7. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or

invalid the other portions or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 8. The provisions of Republic Act No. 3046, as amended by Republic Act No.
5446, and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and issuances inconsistent
with this Act are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

Section 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the
Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspaper of general circulation.