Carpio to gov’t: WPS joint exploration with China should comply with Constitution

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday reminded the Duterte government to assure that the country’s sovereignty will not be compromised in the proposed deal with China for a joint exploration of natural resources in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“As long as the joint development complies with the Philippine Constitution and there is no waiver of our sovereign rights under the arbitral ruling, I have no objection,” Carpio said in a text message sent to reporters Thursday.

Carpio made the reaction after Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano announced that the Philippine government would ink a joint exploration deal with China that is “equal or better” than its contract in Malampaya.

China has earlier expressed its willingness to a 60-40 possible joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea, where the 60 percent would go to the Philippines while China would get the remaining 40 percent.

There are no details yet on the possible Philippines-China joint exploration said Cayetano. /muf

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