1Sambayan Pushes Constitution-Compliant Joint Energy Deals in West Philippine Sea

Article by J. Salazar

Published on April 20, 2026 10:20PM

MANILA, Philippines — The 1Sambayan coalition insists that any joint energy exploration with foreign states in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) must explicitly affirm Philippine ownership of the oil and gas resources there. ¹ ² ¹²

Composed of retired Supreme Court justices, former officials, and civil society groups, 1Sambayan asserts that agreements should comply with the 1987 Constitution, the 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating China's South China Sea claims, and the 2023 Supreme Court decision on the 2005 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JSMU) with China and Vietnam as unconstitutional. ¹ ³ ⁴ Exploration must occur via service contracts under Presidential Decree No. 87 (Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972), governed solely by Philippine law. ¹ ²

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently suggested the global oil crisis, exacerbated by Middle East conflicts, could spur agreements on joint explorations in disputed areas. ⁵ ⁶ Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed hope for a Philippines-China deal, recalling his prior proposal to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte. ⁷ ⁸ The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) affirmed any deal will follow the Constitution, laws, and sovereignty, while energy officials noted openness to partnerships beyond China. ⁹ ¹⁰

The WPS covers Philippine-claimed parts of the South China Sea within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, rich in potential oil and gas but contested by China's expansive claims. ¹ ¹¹ These discussions arise amid energy security needs, but critics urge strict legal adherence to avoid past errors like the voided JSMU. ³ ⁶

_______________________________________ Notes:

¹ 1Sambayan: Energy deals in WPS must follow PH laws - Inquirer.net https://www.inquirer.net/472487/1sambayan-energy-deals-in-wps-must-follow-ph-laws/

² Oil and gas deals in West Philippine Sea must meet key conditions ... https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/13/oil-and-gas-deals-in-west-philippine-sea-must-meet-key-conditions-group-says

³ Philippine Court Voids 2005 Oil Exploration Agreement with China ... https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/philippine-court-voids-2005-oil-exploration-agreement-with-china-and-vietnam/

⁴ SC voids 2005 oil search deal; ruling lauded as 'a warning to Marcos' https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1715080/sc-voids-2005-oil-search-deal-ruling-lauded-as-a-warning-to-marcos

⁵ Marcos Says War May Spur Energy Talks With China in Disputed Sea https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-24/marcos-says-war-may-spur-energy-talks-with-china-in-disputed-sea

⁶ Critics warn Marcos vs trading sea rights for oil in China talks https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/04/06/2519082/critics-warn-marcos-vs-trading-sea-rights-oil-china-talks

⁷ Sotto wants PH-China joint oil deal to succeed after Duterte admin stall https://globalnation.inquirer.net/317070/sotto-wants-ph-china-joint-oil-deal-to-succeed-after-duterte-admin-stall

⁸ More senators say they are open to PH-China joint oil exploration https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/06/more-senators-say-they-are-open-to-ph-china-joint-oil-exploration

⁹ Any joint oil exploration to follow PH laws, DFA assures https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2211001/any-joint-oil-exploration-to-follow-ph-laws-dfa-assures

¹⁰ PH working with countries besides China for possible oil exploration https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/983380/philippines-oil-gas-exploration-china-countries/story/

¹¹ PH says talks with China for joint oil, gas exploration 'may be forthcoming' https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/981314/philippines-joint-oil-exploration-china-energy/story/

¹² Philippines interests safeguarded in oil exploration with China – Palace - Philstar.com https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/03/31/2518039/philippines-interests-safeguarded-oil-exploration-china-palace