00:00President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. insisted on strengthening two laws that are far from protecting our sovereignty and interests in our territories.
00:09Some senators also minimized the importance of these laws.
00:13For the Filipinos, this is Daniel Manalasca for Sandro Nang Balita.
00:19After China's reaction to the new law signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
00:26regarding the maritime zones of the Philippines, the President responded.
00:31Well, it's not unexpected, but we have to define closely.
00:37We have been told that we have to protect our sovereign rights and our sovereignty.
00:43So, it serves a purpose that we define closely what those boundaries are.
00:50And that's what we are doing.
00:52According to Senate Majority Leader Francis Torrentino
00:55who is the principal author of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act,
01:01the PMZ laughs at our opposition as a country that protects our maritime rights and sovereignty.
01:08The senator also minimized China's repeated criticism of the law.
01:13If other countries can crush their claims, so can the Philippines.
01:18We have the right to defend our maritime boundaries and protect our national interests.
01:26Senator Loren Legarda, the President, is thankful for the implementation of the law.
01:31The Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act
01:36will not only protect the integrity of our territory,
01:40but will also strengthen our legal and environmental frameworks.
01:44According to Senate President Francis Escudero,
01:47the use of our natural resources for the benefit of the people is in violation of our rights.
01:55Daniel Manalastas for Pambansang TV in Bagong, Philippines.
