Palace chides Robredo, Morales for "misplaced observations" on China oil deal

Malacanang said on Monday that Vice President Leni Robredo and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales have "misplaced observations and apprehensions" on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently inked by the Philippines and China on oil and gas development cooperation.

"The remarks of Vice President Leni Robredo and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales are not only premature but baseless and unfair as well," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

He added that Robredo and Morales may have "not studied nor even read" the memorandum before expressing their opinions.

"They anchor their comments merely on media reports, and not on the actual document itself, which the Palace released to the public only this morning," Panelo said.

"Sadly, disappointment comes to mind as expectations for their being trained in the law have not been reached. Legal minds are not only analytically exacting but judicious as well," he added.

The vice president had previously urged the administration to be transparent regarding the bilateral agreements it signed with China during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit last week.

Morales, on the other hand, was recently quoted in reports as mentioning a famous line from Roman statesman Marcus Cicero on a speech on Saturday regarding the West Philippine Sea dispute.

“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within," she said.

Panelo, however, said that the signed agreement only sets the framework for a future agreement "based on mutual respect on each other’s sovereignty and interest."

He assured that the MOU will benefit the country.

Furthermore, under the MOU, an inter-governmental joint steering committee and inter-entrepreneurial working group will be established to look into possible energy cooperation, he said.

"The MOU does not create rights or obligations under international or domestic law which may delineate our territory or sovereign rights," Panelo said.

"The apprehensions of Mmes. Robredo and Carpio-Morales are thus more imaginary than real," he added.

Panelo also serves as President Rodrigo Duterte's chief legal counsel. 

On Monday, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio said the MOU on cooperation on oil and gas development signed between the Philippines and China was "safe" for the country. —Dona Magsino