The Senate is set to tackle a resolution asking the Duterte administration to ban from receiving government contracts, or conducting business in the country, “foreign entities who are engaged in, or abetted activities, that infringed on the sovereignty of the country” over the West Philippine Sea and other areas within its territorial jurisdiction. Filed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Resolution 507 cited ongoing efforts to liberalize the Philippine economy, particularly in the sectors of public services, retail trade and foreign investments “need to ensure foreign entities conducting business in the country shall respect and obey Philippine laws, including, and most importantly, laws governing national territory and patrimony.” At the outset, the Recto resolution invoked a constitutional mandate for the State to protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use “exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

Fernandez, B. (2020, September 9). Senate tackles ban vs foreign entities abetting 'intrusion' into Philippine sea territories. Business Mirror, p. A3.