Duterte's verbal agreement with China not legally binding —GMA resident analyst Heydarian

President Rodrigo Duterte's "verbal" agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping on allowing the Chinese fishermen's presence in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone was not legally binding, according to GMA resident analyst Richard Heydarian on Tuesday.

"Very clear ang Saligang Batas natin, pagdating sa legally binding agreement, hindi pwedeng executive agreement," Heydarian said in an interview on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

"Unless it was ratified by Senate hindi ito legally binding agreement," he added as he described the verbal pact as merely a "legal acrobatic" of the government.

Duterte previously slammed his critics for urging him to assert the country's exclusive rights in the disputed waters and maintained that he will allow Chinese fishermen to stay there because he had a mutual agreement with Xi.

The President underscored that the Philippines is not yet equipped for a war with China.

The Palace, however, on Monday admitted that the said agreement was not on paper.

“Palagay ko walang pinirmahan. Parang ano lang iyon eh, parang nag-usap lang sila. Alam mo kung minsan, ang mga heads of state, may mga word of honor iyong mga iyon, eh,” Panelo said in a press briefing in Malacanang.

"Hindi na kailangan," he added.

On the other hand, Heydarian questioned the credibility of Duterte's geopolitical information that would support his claim of a threat of "trouble" from China.

"This is a very poor legal argument at all. This is really embarrassing and this is really unbecoming of a republic," Heydarian said. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News