Pimentel: Gov’t must ensure full transparency in pursuing China-PH joint exploration in WPS

Full transparency must be ensured in the proposed negotiations between China and the Philippines for the joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said Thursday.

"If and when the negotiations push through, we expect and we will demand from both sides to be 100 percent transparent. The purpose of transparency is for us to know if the agreement is compliant with our Constitution," Pimentel said.

In order for these negotiations to prosper, the minority leader emphasized that transparency is "crucial" as it involves the issue of Philippines' rights over the WPS.

"It is key to gain the support and confidence of the Filipino people and erase any doubts that the government is compromising and giving up our rights over the West Philippine Sea," he said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda said the negotiations must be premised on the 2016 arbitral ruling which upheld the Philippines' rights over the exclusive economic zone.

"Dialogue and friendly relations with any country are always welcome news.  While such talks must be approached with open minds, they must be premised on the 2016 Arbitral Award  validating our maritime rights, the rights of our fisherfolk and our benefits from our exclusive economic zone," she said.

Legarda also emphasized that there must be compensation for the marine resources' damage wrought and clear respect for the findings and valuations established in the ruling.

She suggested the government to see all the alternatives, other potential partnerships, and check if what is offered is really needed.

Lastly, she said the Philippines must consider the increasing role of China in the world stage.

For his part, Senator JV Ejercito said the government has to be "wary" of these negotiations and ensure that the deal is beneficial not only to China but to both parties.

"China is always extending its hand to us, 'yung pagkakamay sa atin, but its left hand is doing another thing. They always claim that we are friends, that we are allies, partners, but on the other hand, they keep on encroaching on our territorial waters," he said in an interview with reporters.

"For me, they have to show sincerity first and regain our trust. Personally, I find it very hard to trust the Chinese goverment...kasi parang di sila nagsasabi ng totoo e...It's hard to take their word," he added.

Ejercito likewise emphasized that the Chinese government must respect Philippine sovereignty over the WPS.

"Unang-una, dapat they respect our territorial integrity... respect our sovereignty. 'Yan ang number one para sa akin," he said.

The lawmaker mentioned China's reclamation activities in the area which he said looks like a military base that is already fully operational.

He also took note of the "blatant bullying" of Chinese nationals in the WPS which the senators condemned through a resolution before they adjourned sessions last December.

"That is too blatant para sa akin. I hope they respect the...Hague ruling, 'yung UNCLOS and also again, if they are really our friend, ally, and partner, respect our territorial integrity," he said.

During his state visit to China where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping for bilateral talks, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the Philippines and China will continue the negotiations on the joint oil and gas explorations in the South China Sea—a part of which was declared by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 to be under the jurisdiction of the Philippines.

“I would very much like, as you have suggested, Mr. President, to be able to announce that we are continuing negotiations," Marcos told Xi.

"We hope that these negotiations will bear fruit because the pressure upon not only China, not only the Philippines but the rest of the world to move away from the traditional fronts of power," he added.

The Duterte administration had terminated the joint oil and gas exploration discussions with China because of legal constraints and sovereignty concerns.

In August, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippines was willing to talk to China about a joint oil and gas exploration.

Manalo said the Philippines would not compromise its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea once it enters into a possible energy exploration deal with China.—AOL, GMA Integrated News