Malacañang slammed for saying Benham Rise study too costly for Filipino scientists

Progressive lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Wednesday slammed Malacañang for saying that conducting a study of Benham Rise (Philippine Rise) would be too costly for an all-Filipino team to do.

In a press conference, ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said that financial incapacity should not be used an excuse to waive the country's sovereign rights over the territory.

"Shame on Malacañang for using poverty as an excuse to betray our sovereign rights in Benham Rise and in other parts of our territory. Hindi dahilan ang kawalan ng pera o kahirapan ng bansa," he said.

Tinio said the government has "trillions" in funds from which a budget for the study could be taken.

"Kung gusto, kayang pondohan, hindi problema yung kawalan ng pera," he said.

In a press briefing, Roque said a Filipino-only study of Benham Rise would be "capital-intensive" and that "no one can do it."

"You do not need a permit for any Filipino corporation to conduct scientific investigation in Benham Rise because it is ours, so that’s not something that a consent has to be given by the government," he also said.

Roque also said that groups from other countries applied to do research in Benham Rise as well, but that only China qualified "according to fixed guidelines already set by the government."

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate condemned Roque's supposed "belittling" of the capacity of Filipino scientists to conduct research.

"Insulto yan dahil sa katotohanan, nung 2004, tanungin natin ang ating mga siyentista kung wala ba silang ginawa. Marami nang pag-aaral ang ginawa para sa Benham Rise," he said.

Zarate said Filipino scientists joined China in the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) during the Arroyo administration, but only the latter benefited from the results of research.

"Hindi malayong mangyari ulit ito sa Benham Rise," he said.

"Sinasabi ng Malacañang na nagpaalam naman. In fact, hindi naman sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay pinayagan ang Tsina at pinayagan din ang ibang bansa. Pero dahil sa ating naging masaklap na karanasan doon sa JMSU ay hindi na natin gustong maulit ito," he added.

Zarate earlier urged the Department of Foreign Affairs not to repeat this "betrayal" that occurred during the Arroyo administration.

"[The DFA] should rescind its approval of the Benham Rise study. It is doubly tragic that the betrayal of our national patrimony and sovereignty is being repeated by the present administration in the case of Benham or Philippine Rise," he said. — BM, GMA News