Poe questions gov't plans to resume joint oil, gas exploration talks with China

Senator Grace Poe on Monday questioned the government’s plan to resume talks on a possible joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea with China, arguing that there are also other countries that are claiming their rights over the disputed territory.

“Why China, or why only China, when there are other neighboring countries staking claim in the disputed sea?” Poe asked.

“The plan to resume talks on the joint oil exploration with China comes amidst the continued presence of their vessels in the West Philippine Sea. Dozens of diplomatic protests have also been filed related to China's incursions in our waters, which the foreign government disputes,” she noted.

The lawmaker issued the statement after Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said that the Philippines and China are set to resume exploratory talks.

In pursuing the deal, Poe said the Philippine government must consider existing jurisprudence related to maritime explorations.

“Country, constitution, civility, and transparency must be our key guideposts in any dealing with foreign nations,” she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero agreed to Senate foreign relations vice chaiperson Francis Tolentino’s suggestion to include the Senate in the talks on joint exploration.

Escudero said the inquiry is “well within the powers and jurisdiction” of the upper chamber.

While Tolentino cautioned the government on pushing for the possible joint exploration in the WPS, Escudero said the “differences” between the Philippines and China should not prevent the government from pursuing cooperative efforts that the two states can agree and work together on.

“I don’t think it’s an either or situation and a zero sum game,” he added.

On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the Senate's involvement in the joint exploration talks would allow the lawmakers to look into “all corners” of the possible agreement between China and the Philippines.

“The idea of Senate ‘involvement’ is to be endorsed. Involvement means we hear the matter so that the sun can shine on all the corners of the agreement or proposed agreement,” he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News