Archipelagic Philippines: A Question of Policy and Law

Abstract

"…was not just one of strict law but more of a choice of policy, after weighing positive and negative factors. We put the question to ourselves in this form: Considering the Convention as a whole with both beneficial and adverse effects, which would be more advantageous to the Filipino peopleto accept or to reject the Convention? We opted for acceptance. The provision of the exclusive economic zone and the recognition of the archipelago principle contributed to tilt the balance in favor of the signing of the Convention."