FORMER Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is sounding the alarm over Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, urging stricter enforcement and legislative oversight of maritime laws to protect Filipino sovereignty and safeguard the livelihoods of local fisherfolk.
Speaking at a press conference of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on April 25, Sotto emphasized the critical role of Congress in holding the executive branch accountable for enforcing existing maritime policies, particularly the recently enacted Philippine Maritime Zones Act.
“Noong 18th Congress fi-nile ko ‘yong bill na declaring ‘yong Philippine maritime zones … Naideklara natin ‘yong sarili natin talagang maritime zones,” Sotto said.
The former Senate leader lamented that while the bill he originally authored did not pass during his term, it was eventually enacted in the 19th Congress, signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Philippine Maritime Zones Act, officially signed into law in late 2024, defines and asserts the country’s jurisdiction over its maritime zones, going beyond reliance on international treaties such as the UNCLOS.
The law also aims to empower local institutions, like the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in enforcing maritime claims. He vowed to ensure that this landmark legislation is not only preserved but strictly implemented, as he underscored that beyond passing new laws, the Senate must ensure the government follows through with concrete action.
“Hindi lang mga bill na pinasa mo dati or bill na ipapasa mo or batas na ipapasa mo. Oversight, that is the most important thing also that the senators should be doing … Importante [na] ‘yong naipasa mo dati ay mag-oversight function ka doon. Tingnan mo kung ine-execute ng tama katulad ng 10264 Philippine Maritime Zones Act,” he said.
“‘Yon ay dapat nating gawin at gagawin namin. Magkaroon kami ng oversight kung papaano pinapatupad ng executive department ‘yong mga batas na ‘yon patungkol sa West Philippine Sea,” he added.
Sotto’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region, where Filipino fisherfolk continue to face harassment by Chinese maritime forces. Reports of intimidation, water cannon attacks, and the depletion of local fishing grounds have sparked widespread concern in coastal communities, particularly in Pangasinan.
