Metro Manila, Philippines – The joint oil and gas exploration between the Philippines and China may be “forthcoming,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said on Wednesday, March 25.
While there is no directive yet from President Bongbong Marcos on the matter, Lazaro did not dismiss the possibility.
“Hindi naman ’yan bago,” Lazaro said, noting previous efforts under the Duterte administration.
The three-year negotiations on oil and gas exploration in areas of the West Philippine Sea, led by then Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., were terminated in 2022 upon the instructions of President Rodrigo Duterte over sovereignty issues.
Lazaro also said there might be constitutional challenges should the project proceed.
She expressed confidence that if negotiations are revived, the negotiators are already aware of the “pitfalls” from previous efforts.
Meanwhile, Lazaro said the code of conduct in the South China Sea is in the works and may be finalized by the end of the year. The deal between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China would govern a set of activities at sea to prevent maritime disputes.
“We also have other documents that will be coming out that are actually on maritime cooperation,” she added, referring to the recent announcement of proposed amendments to the existing memorandum of understanding between the Philippine and Chinese Coast Guards.
