Nelson Morales

Carpio details topics for WPS debate with Marcoleta

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio laid out topics for his possible “friendly debate” with Senator Rodante Marcoleta.Carpio earlier accepted Marcoleta&#x27;s challenge to Commodore Jay Tarriela of a  friendly debate before he accepts the invite to visit the Kalayaan Island Group.&quot;I accept the challenge to debate this topic. The first topic is, is there legally a West Philippine Sea, because Marcoleta is saying na there is no West Philippine Sea,&quot; Carpio said.&quot;The second is, if there is a West Philippine Sea, are the maritime zones or our islands like the Kalayaan Island Group part of the West Philippine Sea? Yun lang dalawa, very simple, I think that will help our people understand the issues involved in the West Philippine Sea,&quot; he said.Marcoleta earlier said that he wants a friendly debate first before he accepts Tarriela&#x27;s invite to fly to the Kalayaan Island Group.Tarriela meanwhile said he&#x27;s up for debate for light topics, but the country&#x27;s right in the West Philippine Sea is not up for debate.Carpio said that while he respects the freedom of expression of some senators, he reminds them that they have an oath to the Constitution.&quot;Those who take their oath of office, they say they will defend the Constitution, and in the Philippine Constitution, the territory is there,&quot; Carpio says.&quot;It says the State shall protect its marine wealth in the exclusive economic zone. We have to protect the exclusive economic zone,&quot; he said.Carpio said they can tolerate sentiments, but government officials must uphold their oath to defend Philippine territory.&quot;If you&#x27;re a government official, you must be careful because you have taken an oath to protect the constitution,&quot; Carpio ended.

"I accept the challenge to debate this topic. The first topic is, is there legally a West Philippine Sea, because Marcoleta is saying na there is no West Philippine Sea," Carpio said.

"I accept the challenge to debate this topic. The first topic is, is there legally a West Philippine Sea, because Marcoleta is saying na there is no West Philippine Sea," Carpio said.