Philippine Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act No. 12064).

The “Philippine Maritime Zones Act” (Republic Act No. 12064) declares and defines the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines in accordance with the 1987 Constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It establishes the Philippines’ internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and continental shelf, including extended areas like the Philippine Rise (renamed Talampas ng Pilipinas). The law asserts the country’s sovereign rights to explore, exploit, and manage marine resources within these zones, enforces environmental and scientific research regulations, provides for maritime delimitation with neighboring states, and imposes penalties for violations of Philippine maritime rights. It also creates a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Law of the Sea to monitor implementation. The text consists of 19 Articles.