The framework for the proposed joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea is expected to be ready before Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Manila in November, the Palace said Thursday.
“The President has repeatedly said that he is open to joint exploration. Number one, because the Supreme Court said it’s constitutional in [the case of] La Bugal; and number two, because it is pursuant to the national interest. But he will not give up even an inch of Philippine territory. That’s our stand,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.
“We are working with the realities of modern day life. We are working with the realities of geopolitics. But we are promoting the national interest first and foremost,” he said.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a constant critic of the administration, said the Philippines would be at a disadvantage if it pushes through with joint energy exploration with China.
Trillanes said Filipinos may be reduced to just mere observers in a joint exploration deal with China because of its technology.
“We expect China to dominate the whole engagement because Filipinos right now do not have the capability and the technology to do such undertaking,” Trillanes told the ANC news channel.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the administration is working on a framework for possible oil exploration with China where companies can work on a commercial level without damaging the country’s claims.
Malacañang also maintained that the proposed joint exploration with China was constitutional, and featured a 60-40 sharing scheme similar to that used in the exploration of the Malampaya gas field.
But Trillanes warned that while a 60-40 sharing policy looks fair at face value, China may crunch the numbers differently and manipulate the deal to its advantage.
“Once they crunch the numbers, they can manipulate stuff and make you believe you are actually getting is 60 percent when in reality you may actually just be getting 10 percent,” Trillanes said.