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PRESIDENT Arroyo should order the immediate release of the official
documents related to the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine
Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) in the Agreement Area in the South China
Sea, welcome a Senate inquiry, even a likely petition to the Supreme
Court, to clear the air and to explain the issues.
Failing to do this, the administration risks
having another scandal on its hand, having the issue blown out of
proportion, and encouraging the media and the public to make hasty
conclusions, such as the President having committed treason and sold
out to foreign interests.
Treason and sellout of the national sovereignty
are very grave charges punishable by impeachment. It is unfair to
impute these crimes to a public official without a fair hearing,
without the official documents examined, explained by the
signatories and the offices that have an interest in them and
discussed freely in an open forum.
Agreement tied to money
Critics have insinuated that the government
joined the agreement in consideration of billion-dollar official
development loans from China, including money for the national
broadband project.
The controversy refers to two agreements signed
in 2004 and 2005 allowing for joint exploration of specific areas on
the South China Sea, first, between the Philippines and China and,
second, with Vietnam’s participation.
It should be made clear that the agreements were
not signed by the heads of state of the three countries, but by the
chief executives of the national oil companies involved in the
exploration. Approval, however, had to be obtained from the central
government.
Signatories to the agreements were the
Philippine National Oil Corp., the China National Offshore Oil Corp.
and PetroVietnam.
How big the area?
The scope of the disputed area is unclear. A
daily said six islands being claimed by Manila are covered by the
agreements. The understanding, the newspaper added, also includes
24,000 square kilometers of “undisputed Philippine territory.”
The government has not identified the islets, shoals or coral reefs
covered by the JMSU.
The Spratly islands on the South China Sea are
believed to be rich in gas and petroleum deposits. It is a vital
waterway for world shipping. Six countries—including the
Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei—have laid
claim to all or parts of the archipelago.
A government spokesman has said that the
three-year JMSU provides for “joint acquisition of seismic data in
order to assess the petroleum resource potential” of the area as
part of a five-point energy independence agenda drawn up by the
Philippines.
Energy independence a reason
The energy independence agenda sought to develop
indigenous petroleum resources, promote renewable power, increase
use of alternative fuels, form regional strategic alliances, and
strengthen energy conservation programs.
In a joint statement, former Energy secretary
Vince Perez and Eduardo Mañalac, former president of the PNOC, said
the agreement is scientific in nature and does not affect any
territorial claim of Manila.
The JMSU hoped to contribute to the
transformation of the South China Sea from a potential zone of
conflict into an area of peace, cooperation and development, part of
a strategic alliance to promote regional energy security, to reduce
the region’s dependence on Middle East oil, the statement said.
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Government officials, including Foreign
Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez and
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes have supported the agreements and
their long-term goals.
Former Speaker Jose de Venecia has said the
agreement “is good for the Philippines” because Filipinos would
benefit if the three national oil companies find oil or gas deposits
in the area.
The senators have a right to examine the basic
agreement papers, question the national oil company officials and
get answers from responsible Cabinet executives. Joining the
discussion, the media and the public could make an honest assessment
and present an informed judgment.
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