Sen. Francis Tolentino is pushing for the completion of the Philippine Navy (PN) Archipelagic Defense Act and the PN Basing Strategy 2040.
Tolentino authored the two bills that sought to strengthen and establish the Philippines' jurisdiction over the waters around the archipelago.
On the one hand, the PN Archipelagic Defense Act aims to create a "naval chain" from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi, with corresponding funds the national government would allocate.
On the other hand, the Philippine Navy Basing Strategy 2040 outlines crucial steps to enhance the country's naval capabilities and safeguard territorial waters.
"I want the bill completed without the need of the implementing rules that delay its implementation," Tolentino said.
He added, "So we'll make it a point that the Philippine Navy Basing Strategy 2040 will be part of the bill, thereby allowing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to craft the implementing rule as the need arises."
"But we were overtaken by events after the Senate approved the Philippine Maritime Zones Law, which is now an enrolled bill to be approved by the President himself. A few days ago, an executive order was released concerning the creation of a national maritime council," Tolentino revealed.