Preamble and The National Territory
Preamble and The National Territory
Preamble and The National Territory
NATIONAL TERRITORY
PREAMBLE- introductory paragraph of the constitution
- including a preamble in the constitution is optional
- Purposes of the Preamble
1. It declares by whom and for whom the constitution was adapted.
2. It enumerates the reasons why the constitution was created.
ARTICLE I - THE NATIONAL TERRITORY
Territorial provision in the constitution is optional.
The national territory is compose of 3 parts/domains
1. Terrestrial [land]
2. Fluvial [water]
3. Aerial [air]
ARCHIPELAGIC DOCTRINE
• The Sultanate of Brunei ceded Sabah to the Sultanate of Sulu as a prize for helping the
Sultan of Brunei quell a rebellion against him in 1658.
• A lease of contract between the Sultanate of Sulu and 2 foreigners [Mr. Overbeck and
Mr. Dent] representing the Private British company in 1878 ensured that the rights to
ownership to Sabah of the Sultanate of Sulu were protected [“pajak” means rent not
cede]
• The lease of contract states that it will be forever assigned to the Private British
Company and its heirs but cannot be transferred to another company/country.
• Contract is clearly non-transferrable, so transferring it to the British Gov’t. and later to
Malaysia is an outright violation and definitely a breach of contract was committed
making it null and void.
• United Nations sponsored a referendum claiming the use of the right to self-
determination to identify the rightful owner of Sabah. The result was in favor of
Malaysia but Pres. Marcos protested UN’s action.
• - The phrase “ and all other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic
right or legal title” was included in the 1973 Constitution to emphasize the
claim.
• In 2013, supporters of Sultan Kiram sailed to Sabah to assert the claim and
demand higher compensation.
3. Scarborough Shoal /Bajo de Masinloc / Panatag Shoal
- In 2016 , the Philippines won its case filed in the International Court against
China. The court declared that China’s nine-dash line claim in the entire
South China Sea was invalid. West Phil. Sea is the designation by the
Philippine government of the eastern parts of the South China Sea which are
included in the Philippines’ EEZ.
- In 2012, 8 Chinese fishing vessels were apprehended by the Phil. Navy in the
Panatag Shoal. The trawlers made a distress call to Chinese authorities
causing the stand off.