Padilla reiterates call to start PH-China joint oil exploration in WPS

Senator Robin Padilla on Monday reiterated his call to start the joint oil and gas exploration of China and Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

"Kung hindi pa po natin sisimulan, saan pa? Kung hindi po ngayon, kailan pa po tayo aaksyon (If we won't start there, where? If not now, when)?" Padilla said in a privilege speech.

"Simple lang ang ating punto base na rin sa kasaysayan at mga pag-aaral: ang joint development ay isang paraan at pagkakaunawaan kung saan maaaring maiwasan ng mga bansa ang isyu ng soberanya sa pamamagitan ng magkasamang paggalugad at pagpapaunlad ng likas na yaman sa isang napagkasunduang lugar," he added.

(My point is simple, based on past studies: Joint development is one way where countries can cooperate in exploring resources without raising the issue of sovereignty.)

The lawmaker showed pictures of his personal visit in the WPS in 2021 and mentioned that there are many large Chinese vessels and fishing vessels in the WPS.

He pointed out that the ships still dwell there while the Filipinos continue to suffer from skyrocketing fuel prices due to external reasons such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

"Habang patuloy ang debate at bangayan dito sa Maynila, ang West Philippine Sea po ay pinamamahayan na ng naglalakihang industriyal na barko ng Tsina na nagkukubling fishing vessels. Huwag naman po sana mangyari na bago pa man tayo makarating sa isang kasunduan ay wala na tayong mabubungkal dahil naubos na ang ating inaasahang likas-yaman," he said.

(While we continue debating in Manila, the West Philippine Sea is being occupied by large Chinese industrial and fishing vessels. I hope the time does not come that we will have no more resources to explore because they have been exhausted.)

Further, Padilla mentioned former Chinese Ambassador Jiu Jianchao's recent remarks, hoping that the Marcos administration will consider joint oil and gas exploration with China in the WPS.

He also cited Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles' statement,  saying that the government will explore the possibility of the said joint exploration.

But Padilla said that the government must not only study but start the discussion on this.

"Para sa akin, hindi lang dapat pag-aralan kundi simulan na ang pakikipag-usap sa kabilang panig patungkol sa joint exploration. Tiwala po ako sa ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na hindi niya pababayaan ang soberanya at ang ating Saligang Batas," he said.

(For me, we should not just study but start talks on joint exploration. I trust that President Bongbong Marcos will not abandon our sovereignty and Constitution.)

Moreso, Padilla said that many other countries have already engaged in partnerships similar to what he is pushing for.

"Kung nagawa ng mga bansang ito na magsigasig sa pag-aaral at pairalin ang bukas na isip at diplomasya, bakit hindi natin muli bigyang pansin at konsiderasyon ang usaping ito?" he said.

(If these countries managed to keep an open mind, why can we not?)

"Hayaan po nating mag-usap nang walang panghuhusga muna ukol sa usaping soberanya at Konstitusyon," he went on.

(Let us talk without prejudice to sovereignty and the Constitution.)

After his privilege speech, Senator Risa Hontiveros interpellated Padilla particularly on his suggestion to set aside the issue of sovereignty on the WPS to pursue the joint exploration in the area.

"Hindi po kaya na mas mainam po na ang approach natin ay isulong ang joint development kapagka nalutas na ang isyu ng soberanya sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at ng Tsina o di kaya mas maaga doon maghanap rin ng mga posibildad ng joint development sa ibang mga bansa na kinkikilala ang soberanya natin doon sa West Philippine Sea?" Hontiveros asked.

(Isn't it better if our approach is to push for joint development after we settle the issue of sovereignty between the Philippines and China? Is it also better if we look for other states that acknowledge our sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea for joint development exploration?)

In response, Padilla said the Philippines had already won the issue of sovereignty over the WPS but it is not acknowledged by China.

If the Philippines will insist on the Hague ruling, he said that the joint exploration will be stalled.

"Ang akin pong pinupuntahan e kung isyu po ng sovereignty ang ipipilit po natin matatagalan po tayo at nagbigay naman po ako ng mga example kanina na meron pong mga bansa na para po maiwasan nila, maantala, mapigilan ang kanilang paghahanap ng likas na yaman ay sila po ay nagkaroon ng joint venture na hindi po pinaguusapan na yung sovereignty. Kumbaga isantabi muna natin, maghukay muna tayo dyan at kung ano man ang meron dyan e pagusapan natin kung magkano ang hatian," he said.

But Hontiveros remained firm that it is better for the Philippines to hold the joint exploration with other countries that respects the sovereignty of the country.

"Palagay ko po talaga mas maiging maghanap tayo ng mas maraming joint development na kaya natin sa ibang mga bansa na gumagalang sa ating naipanalo na sa Hague at pati sa mga domestic na mga namumuhunan, mga kababayan nating Pilipino, at ipa-ibang araw na lang muna natin ang joint development sa bansang Tsina. Hangga't matuto siyang tumigil, bastusin ang ating republika at sa halip ay respetuhin ang ating naipanalo na," she said.

Padilla has filed Senate Resolution No. 9 which urges President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to resume talks with China regarding the joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea.

Last week, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said that the Philippines has already indicated to China that it is open to new talks on oil and gas exploration.—LDF, GMA News