Manila, Feb. 18 -- Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates on Tuesday expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s stance to defend the country's sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a press conference in Pasay City, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III said it is a "good thing" that Marcos signed into law the maritime zones bill he authored to uphold and protect the country's territorial rights.

"I fully support his stance on the West Philippine Sea," Sotto said. "Obvious ang stand ko (My stand is obvious) because I originally filed the [bill on the] declaration of maritime zones of the Philippines."

Marcos in November 2024 signed Republic Act (RA) 12064 or the Philippine Maritime Zones A...