The Philippines could gain a legal basis for seeking compensation when debris from satellites, rockets, and other space activities damages property or causes injury or death under an international convention being considered by the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri sponsored Proposed Senate Resolution No. 625 during Wednesday’s plenary session, seeking the chamber’s concurrence in the ratification of the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.
The convention establishes a system for holding launching states liable when their space objects cause damage in another country.
“Without this convention, it will be challenging for us to claim compensation and damages from the space objects,” Zubiri said.
The Philippines signed the convention in 1972. Zubiri said the country had no national space agency at the time to lead efforts to move the agreement forward.
The Philippine Space Agency was established in 2019, while the President ratified the convention in 2024. Senate concurrence is still needed to complete the country’s ratification process.
“We need the convention as it will give us protection and legal basis in claiming compensation for damages that we may incur from satellite launches, rocket launches, and other space activities,” Zubiri said.
He said the Philippines is exposed to falling space debris because of its location in the Pacific Ocean and its proximity to routes used in some space activities.
“We sit in a strategic location on the Pacific Ocean, meaning we’re right along the path of various space activities, and fallout is unavoidable,” he said.
He said the Philippine Coast Guard has recovered pieces of space debris from the country’s coastal areas.
He also cited a reported case in Northern Luzon this month, although he did not identify where the object was found or the country from which it originated.
“That is exactly why we need this convention… to arm us with the legal protection against launching states in case their fallout damages our resources or, worse, injures or kills our people,” Zubiri said.
He also cited data from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs showing that a record 4,510 objects were launched into space in 2025.
Zubiri said 110 states are parties to the convention. If the Senate gives its concurrence, the Philippines can complete the remaining process to become bound by the agreement.
The Senate suspended consideration of the resolution to give members more time to study the measure.
