Carpio accepts PH Bar Association's offer to host debate vs. Marcoleta

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday accepted the Philippine Bar Association’s offer to host a public debate between him and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, saying that the official’s remarks must be corrected.

“I accept the terms of the Philippine Bar Association. May terms sila, it will be a formal debate, papayag ako. Kahit saan, papayag ako,” Carpio told Balitanghali.

(I accept the terms of the Philippine Bar Association. They have terms, it will be a formal debate, I will agree. It could be anywhere, and I will agree.)

Last week, the association offered a neutral and secure venue, professional moderates, clear debate protocols, and open access for accredited media for the possible debate on the West Philippine Sea.

This came after Marcoleta challenged Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela to a “friendly debate.” He said that the debate should include Carpio and University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea professor Jay Batongbacal.

When asked about concerns that a debate would only muddle the issue further, Carpio said that Marcoleta's remarks must be corrected.

“Dahil nagsalita na si Marcoleta, we have to correct this. Otherwise, the people will be misinformed. We have to correct this,” Carpio said.

(Because Marcoleta has spoken, we have to correct this. Otherwise, the people will be misinformed. We have to correct this.)

According to Carpio, the debate should cover issues that Marcoleta raised.

“Para matuto ‘yung publiko. This is to educate everybody. Dahil hindi pwede ‘yung isang senador, sinasabi niya in public na walang West Philippine Sea. Legally, walang West Philippine Sea. Okay, let’s debate on that,” he said.

(So the public can know. This is to educate everybody. Because a senator cannot say that there’s no West Philippine Sea. Legally, there’s no West Philippine Sea. Okay, let’s debate on that.)

Meanwhile, Carpio said that every freshman law student knows that treason can only be committed during war time.

This came after Marcoleta threatened to sue him for treason over a  a decision he penned in 2011 on a case involving the country’s territory. 

“There’s no crime of treason during peacetime. Every freshman law students knows that treason can be committed only during war time,” he said.

He said that before Marcoleta can charge him with treason, he must first make amendments to the Revised Penal Code and the Constitution.

“Saka dapat, kumbinsihin ‘yung President at saka Senate na mag-withdraw tayo sa UNCLOS. Dahil sa UNCLOS, we agree that our territorial sea ay hanggang 12 nautical miles lang,” he said.

(He should also convince the President and the Senate to withdraw from UNCLOS. Because under the UNCLOS, we agree that our territorial sea is only 12 nautical miles.)

Carpio stressed that the Constitution also states that the country must adhere to international law. —AOL, GMA Integrated News