Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno has called on the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea to exercise its oversight powers to ensure transparency in any potential joint exploration agreement between the Philippine government and China.
Diokno made the appeal amid reports suggesting that discussions on energy cooperation and resource exploration in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) may already be underway.
“We will ask the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea to exercise oversight, we must ensure that our officials are within the bounds of the law and the national interest,” he said.
The committee is chaired by Malabon City Representative Lenlen Oreta. Diokno emphasized that the country’s natural resources belong to the Filipino people and must not be subject to undisclosed arrangements.
“Ang ating mga likas na yaman, pag-aari ng sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi puwedeng idaan sa secret or backdoor deal ang kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” he said.
Citing constitutional provisions, Diokno noted that the exploration and utilization of natural resources must remain under the state’s “full control and supervision.”
He also pointed out that the President is required to inform Congress of any contracts entered into within 30 days of their execution.
He warned against repeating past controversies, particularly the 2005 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which the Supreme Court later ruled unconstitutional due to its alleged disadvantage to Philippine interests.
Diokno stressed that any agreement involving the West Philippine Sea must be fully disclosed to the public.
“Filipino people have the right to know the terms, conditions and even concessions being negotiated,” he said, underscoring that transparency is crucial in safeguarding national interest.