Lacson backs PH-China joint exploration in WPS

Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Sunday expressed support for the possible joint oil and gas explorations between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea as he weighed the benefits that the former may gain.

"Yes. Four-square behind, sinusuportahan ko. Kasi sayang eh. Yayaman tayo doon," Lacson told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Yes. I am supporting this, I'm fours-quare behind it. There is so much potential. We can benefit from it.)

However, the senator pointed out that the 60-40 foreign ownership provision under the Philippine Constitution must be strictly complied with.

Under Section 2, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, the State “may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens.”

"Ang mahalaga lang sa atin, on paper sa agreement, sa MOA or whatever na pipirmahan, maliwanag emphasized doon 60-40. Pag pumayag ang China, panalo na tayo dahil ibig sabihin ni-recognize nila ang sovereignty ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea o kung saanman ang area na ma-explore," Lacson said.

(What is important is that for us, at least on paper, the 60-40 provision is emphasized. If China agrees, it is a big win for us because it means they recognize our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and other areas of the Philippines that the joint exploration may cover.)

The senator pointed out the West Philippine Sea is rich in natural gas, which could help address the country’s energy needs, but the Philippines lacks the technical and financial resources to explore it independently.

Meanwhile, China has the technology and equipment for such operations, Lacson said.

In late March, the Chinese Embassy said discussions between the Philippines and China on possible joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea have made “positive progress.”

"Setting aside differences and pursuing joint development is the right path to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and deliver benefits to countries in the region and their peoples,” the Chinese embassy said.

“China and the Philippines have conducted in-depth discussions on joint oil and gas development in disputed waters in the South China Sea and have made positive progress. As long as the Philippine side demonstrates sincerity, China’s door to dialogue and cooperation will remain open,” it added.

Malacañang said the government would safeguard the country’s national interests in any potential joint oil and gas exploration with China.

However, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio warned that the joint oil and gas explorations could be a trap.

"Joint development is a trap because joint development means, you go to the website of China, it says joint development means China owns the gas, the oil, all the natural resources," Carpio said in an interview during a visit to Pag-asa island.

"China has the sovereign rights. That's from the point of view of China. So why will we accept that?" he added.

Data from the Department of Energy in 2020 showed that the West Philippine Sea may hold more than six million barrels of oil and over seven billion cubic feet of natural gas classified as undiscovered resources.

Among the areas believed to be rich in natural gas is Recto Bank, or Reed Bank, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. —RF, GMA News