The possibility of cooperation between the Philippines and China in exploring the West Philippine Sea for oil and gas has raised concerns among senators. Sen. Grace Poe stated that the government should consider other foreign partners, and called for the Charter, public interest, and transparency to be guideposts for any deal. She also cited a Supreme Court ruling that voided a similar tripartite deal signed by the Philippines with China and Vietnam. Sen. Francis Tolentino warned that the illegal presence of Chinese vessels within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea should be taken into account when negotiating any deal. However, Sen. Francis Escudero stated that the country’s maritime dispute and other “differences” with China should not prevent cooperative efforts. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III expressed support for Tolentino’s proposal to include the Senate in discussions about a possible partnership.
A 2018 Philippines-China memorandum of understanding failed to achieve its goals, and then-President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the deal because of sovereignty issues. In the past, the Philippines and China have disagreed over overlapping claims in the disputed sea, which is believed to be rich in natural gas, oil reserves, and marine resources. In 2016, an arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines by recognizing its sovereign right to exploit resources within its EEZ. China has refused to accept the ruling.
Tolentino warned that China’s interest in reviving the deal could be a “trap” to legitimize its presence in the Philippines’ waters. On March 29, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo disclosed in a GMA News interview that Manila and Beijing had agreed to renew discussions on the possibility of pursuing joint oil and gas exploration. Negotiations would begin at the technical level in the next six weeks, according to Manalo.
