Wait for release of PHL-China deals before making conclusions, Lacson says

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday reminded the public to wait for the release of the documents and agreements signed between the Philippines and China before making any conclusion as regards the two country's dealings, especially on the West Philippine Sea issue.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Lacson said it is too "premature" and "cynical" to immediately conclude that President Rodrigo Duterte has already surrendered the country's rights and sovereignty when the government signed 29 agreements with China during President Xi Jinping's two-day state visit to the Philippines.

"Hindi pa natin nakikita 'yung nilalaman, may conclusion na agad tayo na dehado ang Pilipinas, nadaya, pinamigay. Anong basehan? Basahin muna natin kung ano 'yung pinirmahan ng mga department heads, ng mga Cabinet secretaries," Lacson said.

"Hintayin muna natin ilabas bago tayo mag-conclude. At kung may makita tayong medyo dehado nga e saka tayo magsalita," he added.

Among the 29 agreements signed was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation on oil and gas development, which Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said was meant to find a "solution [on] how we can enjoy the resources" in the South China Sea.

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chair Jose Maria Sison said the signing of the MOU was "a clear act of treason" on Duterte's part, and a "blatant betrayal of the sovereign rights and national patrimony of the Philippines and the Filipino people."

But Lacson explained that an MOU merely states that two parties are willing to move towards a common direction and a common line of action.

"Napaka-preliminary nu'n. Hindi naman ibig sabihin kapag pumirma ka ng memorandum of understanding, meron na agad na mga kuwenta, mga detalye. Halos wala. Pinakamababang uri 'yun e," he said.

"Pagkatapos ng memorandum of understanding, meron nang pag-iisa ng pag-iisip na preliminarily, puwede tayong mag-joint exploration. Pero kung magkano ang hatiin, at kung sino ang maglalabas ng ganito, wala pa 'yun," he added.

Lacson said copies of the agreements have already been sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

In case a resolution is filed to look into the agreements, Lacson said it may be referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations chaired by Senator Loren Legarda. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News