Jeffrey Ordaniel
16.7K posts
@JeffreyOrdaniel
Maritime Security | South China Sea
READ: The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines issued a statement on the possibility of a joint oil and gas exploration. “As long as the Philippine side demonstrates sincerity, China’s door to dialogue and cooperation will remain open,” part of the statement said. | via @jpsoriano
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT MAY DRIVE PH, CHINA JOINT OIL AND GAS TALKS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA President Bongbong Marcos says the Middle East conflict could push the Philippines and China to revisit joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea. In an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos says shifting geopolitical dynamics may prompt a recalibration of ties, while stressing that peace and national interest remain the country’s guiding principles. @newswatchplusph
“WALA PO SIYANG SECRET DEAL” WATCH: Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro says any move to revive joint oil and gas talks with China will be transparent, assuring the public there will be no secret agreements. "Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, sa lahat ng okasyon, ang Pilipinas ay laging sincere sa pakikipag-usap, pakikipagnegosasyon lalung-lalo na sa pamumuno po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. Wala po siyang secret deal," said Castro. @newswatchplusph
Fulcrum Commentary by @justin_baquisal - There is robust public support for EDCA and deepening US-Philippines military cooperation, but Washington and Manila must plug gaps in integrated air and missile defence and weapons access policy. fulcrum.sg/dangers-of-del…
WILL PH–CHINA JOINT OIL EXPLORATION PUSH THROUGH AMID WEST PH SEA TENSIONS? WATCH: Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro says there is no directive yet from President Bongbong Marcos to revive joint oil and gas exploration talks with China in the South China Sea, but notes that such a move may be “forthcoming.” Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, Lazaro says negotiators are mindful of the challenges and pitfalls that derailed previous discussions. In 2018, Manila and Beijing signed a Memorandum of Understanding on oil and gas development, but talks were eventually shelved in 2022. @newswatchplusph
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT MAY DRIVE PH, CHINA JOINT OIL AND GAS TALKS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA President Bongbong Marcos says the Middle East conflict could push the Philippines and China to revisit joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea. In an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos says shifting geopolitical dynamics may prompt a recalibration of ties, while stressing that peace and national interest remain the country’s guiding principles. @newswatchplusph
Except, President Marcos can’t really do that without violating his oath of office: 1) Article XII, Section 2 of PH Constitution is clear: the exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources must remain under the full control and supervision of the State, and may be undertaken only by the State itself or through Filipino citizens or corporations that are at least 60% Filipino-owned. 2) Hence, any “joint exploration” in Philippine EEZ, even if inside the nine-dash line, cannot simply be a politically convenient 50-50 arrangement with China. It must comply with constitutional requirements, including Filipino control. 3) The Philippines could again propose a service contract or some form of technical/financial assistance arrangement—but that would still have to operate under Philippine law and within a legal framework that recognizes Philippine sovereign rights in its EEZ. 4) That is precisely the problem: China is unlikely to accept any arrangement that places its activities under Philippine law or implies recognition of Philippine jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea. How many times has PH tried to do this? I wonder why the President wasn’t briefed… or why the DFA’s institutional memory is not working here.
🇵🇭National Symposium on the Law of the Sea and the West Philippine Sea🇵🇭, happening on March 30-31 at the Marco Polo Ortigas. In partnership with UA&P School of Law, the @Official_UPD College of Law, @ABSCBNNews, @onenewsph and @PIADesk. Catch the conversations on YouTube, live! @wpstransparency @jaytaryela @IvanAtHome @nscphilippines @coastguardph @ConstantKC @JeffreyOrdaniel
Brawner said Japan’s participation in this year’s Balikatan exercises is “very significant.” He noted that the last time Japanese combat troops were in the Philippines was in 1945—during World War II. “Eighty-one years later, this is the first time we will have Japanese combat troops again on Philippine soil. Before, we were on opposite sides. This time, we find ourselves on the same side,” Brawner said. @ABSCBNNews
