DOJ expresses full support for 2023 PH-US nuclear agreement

The Department of Justice expressed its “all out support” for the 2023 nuclear energy agreement between the Philippines and the United States.

According to a statement on Thursday, DOH Secretary Remulla emphasized the importance of the 123 agreement and its legalities in a letter addressed to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In a three-page legal opinion addressed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the DOJ reiterated the legality of the 123 Agreement, its conformity to existing laws and compliance with international agreements and policies undertaken by the Philippines.

“Considering the world’s perpetual and unending need for better sources of energy, nuclear energy research is an avenue our country can expeditiously explore with proper regulation and safety measures locked in place,” Remulla said. 

The 123 Agreement, which was signed by Philippine Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at San Francisco, California in November 2023, covered the “safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.”

The pact also states that any nuclear output shall not be used for research or development of any nuclear explosive or military purpose.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the signing of the Philippines-United States Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy or the 123 Agreement, “is the first major step in this major regard, taking our cooperation on capacity building further and actually opening the doors for US companies to invest and participate in nuclear power projects in the country." —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News