Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senators Francis Pangilinan and Rodante Marcoleta clashed over the exact coordinates of the part of the South China Sea (SCS) under the Philippines’ sovereign rights.</p><p>The debate took place during the deliberations on the proposed Senate Resolution No. 256 on the Chinese Embassy in Manila’s remarks against several public officials.</p><p>Pangilinan presented data, which he said was provided by advisors to the Philippine delegation to the International Arbitral Tribunal (IAT) in The Hague, stating that the Philippines has rights over some 500,000 square kilometers of the South China Sea.</p><p>“[T]he data was taken from the computations based on the Philippines&#x27; 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone, and juxtaposed with the claim of China in the 10-dash line wherein...about 90 percent of the West Philippine Sea (WPS), South China Sea, is being claimed by them,” he said. </p><p>Meanwhile, Marcoleta argued that the WPS was approximately 381,000 square kilometers based on the declaration of the National Security Council of the Philippines.</p><p>Pangilinan maintained that the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/07/12/16/read-arbitral-courts-ruling-on-philippines-vs-china">2016 arbitral ruling</a> defined the Philippines jurisdiction over portions of the SCS, adding “it has rejected China&#x27;s 9-dash line claim and has upheld the Philippines&#x27; position that what China is doing within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, is illegal.”</p><p>“The debate as to whether there are metes and bounds is moot. We can debate until kingdom come, but that will not change the arbitral ruling in our favor,” Pangilinan said. </p><p>Disagreeing, Marcoleta argued that there were still no coordinates for the Philippines&#x27; part.</p><p>“The reason why I am asking the gentleman for the metes and bounds to our claim on our maritime rights is because until today I would like to believe that there has not been any specific computation or coordinates of the West PH Sea,” Marcoleta said. </p><p>The senator further questioned whether or not the 200 nautical miles from the Philippines&#x27; archipelagic baseline — recognized to be under the country&#x27;s jurisdiction — was the limit of its exclusive economic zone, or provided under the Administrative Order No. 29, Presidential Decree 1596, Republic Act 9522 of 2009, or Republic Act No. 12064 of 2024.</p><p>The Administrative Order No. 29 officially named the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago as “West Philippine Sea,&quot; while the Presidential Decree 1596 identifies the coordinates of the “Kalayaan Island Group.&quot; </p><p>Republic Act 9522 or the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law defined the coordinates of the archipelagic baselines of the Philippines’ territorial sea. It also identified as the “Regime of Islands” the baselines of the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.</p><p>Meanwhile Republic Act No. 12064 or Philippine Maritime Zones Act stated that the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) spanned up to 200 nautical miles from the baselines, and that its territorial sea refers to the sea measured 12 nautical miles from the baselines, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).</p><p>At this point, Pangilinan maintained that the IAT had favored the Philippines in its ruling and that there was no need to defend the Philippines&#x27; jurisdiction.</p><p>“There is nothing to defend. It has been resolved in our favor. What we have to now defend and uphold is the ruling,&quot; Pangilinan said.</p><p>Marcoleta, however, said that while the arbitral award invalidated China’s 9-dash line, it did not state where the WPS ends.</p><p>He maintained that RA 9522 “merely defined the Philippine archipelagic baseline from which to measure the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf” and did not determine the exact area of the WPS.</p><p>He also claimed that the 200 nautical miles EEZ did not cover 17 features of the Kalayaan Island Group.</p><p>“Alam po ba ng Honorable Gentleman from Pampanga and Quezon City, na pag ginamit po natin yung West PH Sea na 200 nautical mile limit ng ating Exclusive Economic Zone, 17 features po ng Kalayaan Island Group ang mawawala sapagkat wala po siya, hindi siya na-enclose ng 200 nautical miles?” he said. </p><p>Marcoleta stressed that four features fall outside the definition of the WPS, which are the Pag-asa or Thitu Island situated 277 nautical miles from Palawan, Parola or Northeast Cay about 240.2 nautical miles, Kota or Laoita Island about 207 nautical miles, and Lankiam Cay about 203.7 nautical miles.</p><p>Pangilinan dismissed his colleague, saying: “Are we trying to say here that the arbitral ruling was erroneous and therefore we should stop claiming what was awarded us? I don&#x27;t see the logic.”</p><p>“Are we saying here now Mr. President that we have to go back to the arbitral ruling to the tribunal, present a new definition of what constitutes West Philippine Sea so that they can amend or they can set aside the award? Please I would appreciate being clarified?&quot; he added. </p><p>Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri then told the arguing senators to consult the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law and Republic Act No. 12065 or the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Ac  which he said defined the coordinates of the Philippines’ territories. </p><p>Marcoleta, however, still claimed the laws were insufficient for failing to consider the islands he said were in high seas, as well as “features that are occupied by China and Vietnam that are in the high seas but are also being claimed by the Philippines.”</p><p>“Kung gusto natin pong isama yung mga features which are outliers, meaning to say they are lying outside the exclusive economic zone, paano po tayong papayagan na gawin yun? Mai-encroach po natin pati yung high seas. The UNCLOS, Mr. President, prohibits us from enclosing the high seas,” he said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/22/south-china-sea-code-of-conduct-must-not-supersede-unclos-doj-exec-1354">South China Sea &#x27;code of conduct&#x27; must not supersede UNCLOS: DOJ exec</a></div><p>Pangilinan stood his ground that the validity of Presidential Decree 1596, which put KIG as part of Philippine territory, was never put in issue in the arbitration case and the tribunal did not have any jurisdiction to rule on its validity. </p><p>“If the good senator believes that should be part of Philippine territory and would like to amend PD 1596 or affirm it, then let&#x27;s debate it on the floor by way of proposed legislation. But in the context of the arbitral ruling, Mr. President, I will again point out that this debate... no matter how lengthy, will not change the ruling, which is in our favor,” Pangilinan said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/9/more-nations-support-ph-stand-in-wps-since-2016-arbitral-award-tarriela-1617">More nations support PH stand in WPS since 2016 arbitral award -- Tarriela</a></div><p>“And therefore, we should defend and uphold it, rather than go into a question of, &#x27;Wait, wait, sandali lamang, kasi yung arbitral ruling na yun, hindi sinama yung ilang mga nasa Kalayaan Island Group.&#x27;  So dapat, huwag natin i-recognize yung award na yan. Hindi naman po tayo papayag doon, hindi po ba,” he added. </p><p>Marcoleta underscored that defining the coordinates of the WPS was essential to clear disputes, saying the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defined the Philippines and China’s territory in the SCS.</p><p>Sen. Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said IHO’s research “is technical, not a political organization and its map delineations do not constitute legal recognition of sovereignty such as China&#x27;s 9-dash line.”</p><p>Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson raised that the discussion could have some national security implications, prompting the consideration of the resolution to be suspended. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/3/-a-congressman-in-favor-of-china-2-lawmakers-clash-over-defending-china-0213">&#x27;A congressman in favor of China?!&#x27;: 2 lawmakers clash over &#x27;defending China&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE REACTS</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the Palace distanced itself from the war of words between the lawmakers.</p><p>&quot;Kung nagkaroon man po ng debate sa senado, &#x27;yan po ay kanilang mandato, pag-usapan kung ano ang issue, &#x27;yan po ay parte ng pagiging democratic country,&quot; Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Tuesday.</p><p>Castro stressed, however, that the position of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the West Philippine Sea remains clear.</p><p>&quot;Unang-una, dapat ipaglaban at protektahan ang interes na mayroon ang Pilipinas,&quot; she added.</p><p>Marcos Jr. had earlier rejected calls to declare Chinese embassy officials persona non grata, after a heated word war with some Philippine officials.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lSOUH270Zsw?si=uxl6lXXo5rGu0nw9" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Senators Francis Pangilinan and Rodante Marcoleta clashed over the exact coordinates of the part of the South China Sea under the Philippines’ sovereign rights.</p>

Senators Francis Pangilinan and Rodante Marcoleta clashed over the exact coordinates of the part of the South China Sea under the Philippines’ sovereign rights.

Marcoleta, Pangilinan clash over West Philippine Sea coordinates

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Marcoleta, Pangilinan clash over West Philippine Sea coordinates

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 03, 2026 01:53 PM PHT

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Updated February 03, 2026 03:51 PM PHT

Read More:

Kiko Pangilinan

Rodante Marcoleta

Senate

West Philippine Sea

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