Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5446)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 5446 is to amend Section One of Republic Act No. 3046, correcting typographical errors and specifically defining the baselines of the territorial sea of the Philippines.
Section 1 primarily defines and describes specifically the baselines for the territorial sea of the Philippines using precise geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude).
Baselines serve as the starting points from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. They are crucial in determining the extent of a country's territorial waters under international law.
No, Section 2 of the Act explicitly states that the definition of the baselines for the territorial sea is without prejudice to the delineation of the baseline around Sabah, over which the Philippines has acquired dominion and sovereignty.
The Act took effect upon its approval on September 18, 1968, as stated in Section 3.
Typographical errors were corrected to ensure that the legal description of the baselines for the territorial sea was accurate and precise.
They are described using sets of coordinates denoting latitude and longitude points, along with asimuth and distance in meters to define lines connecting various points along the Philippine archipelago.
Specifying asimuth and distance ensures precise measurement and clarity in the maritime boundaries and navigation routes, eliminating ambiguity for enforcement and jurisdictional purposes.
The law covers the entire Philippine archipelago, specifying a detailed chain of baseline points that outline the territorial sea boundaries.
No, Republic Act No. 5446 specifically focuses on amending the description of territorial sea baselines and does not provide penalties or enforcement mechanisms within its provisions.