Supreme Court orders gov’t to answer plea vs. Chico River irrigation project

BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the government to answer a petition challenging the P3.6-billion Chico River irrigation project loan agreement.

The justices ordered the respondents, high-ranking government officials, to file their comment to the petition against the Philippine government's multibillion-peso deal with China, within 10 days, said Court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka at a press briefing here Wednesday.

However, the opposition lawmakers who filed the petition failed to secure a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the controversial deal, a source said.

The House of Representatives' Makabayan bloc, Bayan Muna chairman and senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares, and the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas last week asked the Court to enjoin Philippine authorities from enforcing the loan agreement between the government and a Chinese bank.

They ultimately sought the declaration of the deal as "unconstitutional, illegal, and void."

The petitioners argued the loan agreement violates the 1987 Constitution because it allegedly allows the "collateralization" of patrimonial assets to a foreign entity unqualified to hold Philippine lands.

They warned such assets could include ports, energy resources, and the country's natural resources.

The agreement that governs the irrigation project has been criticized for its provisions that supposedly allow China to seize the Philippines' patrimonial assets, including oil and gas in Reed Bank, should Manila default in its debt payment.

Though government officials have downplayed the criticism, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a review of all government contracts, including loan agreements with China, and a removal of any "onerous provisions."

Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra were named as respondents in the petition. — MDM, GMA News