Tovic Salvador

The Philippine Bar Association has offered to host the debate between former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the topic of the West Philippine Sea but has yet to hear from both parties.

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qVoy1-nFaNo?&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>The Philippine Bar Association, the oldest voluntary national organization of lawyers in the country, has offered to host the debate between former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the topic of the West Philippine Sea but has yet to hear from both parties. </p><p>“Mula nang sinabi namin na kami ay handang mag-host, wala pa kaming naririnig anything definite from both parties,” PBA president Atty. Rachelle Aileen Santos told radio DZMM.</p><p>“Kaya namin naisipang mag-host kasi narinig namin na interesado si Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio about it. At least pag kami ang nag-host, it will be a neutral ground. We want it to be civil and a debate based on fact and law,” she added.</p><p>Marcoleta earlier said he wants a friendly debate with Carpio, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, and maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal before he accepts an invite to board a maritime domain awareness flight to Kalayaan Island Group.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EIkn9hh5A8U?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Carpio has accepted the challenge, saying the debate should focus on two topics: </p><p>-Is there legally a West Philippine Sea?</p><p>-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?</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ts1D6G9TniM?&amp;t=39s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>For his part, Tarriela rejected a debate on the West Philippine Sea, saying that the country’s sovereignty and legal entitlements in Philippine waters are not up for debate. He warned that Marcoleta’s statements could also be used against the country if another case is filed before an international tribunal.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z7YOJbkvTUM?&amp;t=18s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>In the interview, Santos said the event could be used to inform the public, especially the young people, about the 2016 arbitral award and the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>She said the debate should have clear debate protocols, with a limited number of issues to be discussed.</p><p>“We want it to be in a formal debate format. We will have to decide what the issues are - ano ‘yung scope ng debate. Otherwise, kung hindi natin ili-limit ‘yung scope ng debate, magiging free-wheeling. We don’t want to do that because that is precisely the source of all the confusion,” she said.</p><p>“Definitely may rules, may issues na naka-identify. Para neutral, we will be getting professionals who will be standing as moderators,” she added.</p><p>Santos said the PBA would like to meet with Marcoleta and Carpio before the debate so that they could go over the rulebook. She said the PBA is also open to media coverage and is looking for possible venues.</p><p>On the other hand, Santos said the PBA can still proceed with the activity if one of the debaters backs out.</p><p>“If this fizzles out, meaning there is no interest in either one of them in pursuing this, then definitely the Philippine Bar Association would like to still proceed with an activity that will inform the public about the real issues, about this West Philippine Sea,” she said.</p>

<p>The Philippine Bar Association has offered to host the debate between former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on the topic of the West Philippine Sea but has yet to hear from both parties.</p>

PH Bar Association eyes rules in Carpio v Marcoleta West Philippine Sea debate

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PH Bar Association eyes rules in Carpio v Marcoleta West Philippine Sea debate

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 16, 2026 08:46 AM PHT

|

Updated February 16, 2026 10:04 AM PHT

Read More:

rodante marcoleta

antonio carpio

west philippine sea

philippine bar association

china

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