Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senator Rodante Marcoleta welcomed the offer of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) to host the debate between him and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the topic of the West Philippine Sea. </p><p>The PBA is the oldest voluntary national organization of lawyers in the country. </p><p>“Doon sa kanilang pangako na magiging kapakipakinabang at makabuluhan sa ating mga mamamayan, hindi ko naman tatanggihan yun,” Marcoleta said on a television program aired on Monday night. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/16/ph-bar-association-eyes-rules-in-carpio-v-marcoleta-west-ph-sea-debate-0846">PH Bar Association eyes rules in Carpio v Marcoleta West Philippine Sea debate</a></div><p>The senator on February 9 invited Carpio, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela, and Maritime law expert Atty. Jay Batongbacal to a “friendly debate” as a response to Tarriela’s invitation to join a Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flight to the Kalayaan Island Group.</p><p>Carpio has accepted Marcoleta’s invitation. </p><p>But Marcoleta noted the PBA had not spoken on the limited scope Carpio laid down for the debate.</p><p>Carpio had said the debate would cover the legal existence of a West Philippine Sea, and if the maritime features of the Kalayaan Island group are part of the West Philippine Sea. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/16/carpio-tells-marcoleta-to-amend-revised-penal-code-first-before-charging-him-with-treason-1703">Carpio tells Marcoleta to amend Revised Penal Code first before charging him with treason</a></div><p>The proposition follows Marcoleta&#x27;s argument at the Senate that the West Philippine Sea is not internationally recognized and that the Kalayaan Island group is outside the country&#x27;s Exclusive Economic Zone.</p><p>“Paano naman magtatalo doon eh sinabi ko yun sa maraming pagkakataon sa aming pagtatalo at pagpapaliwanagan. Sinabi ko yun, the West Philippine Sea does not exist, pero dugtungan mo yun – in the contemplation of public international law. Sa ating domestic law, tayo-tayo, nalalaman natin. Pagtatalunan pa ba yun?” Marcoleta asked. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/palace-does-not-see-marcoleta-s-statements-on-west-ph-sea-as-treason-1614">Palace does not see Marcoleta&#x27;s statements on West PH Sea as treason</a></div><p>In the same television program, Marcoleta laid out three propositions for the debate. </p><p>“Proposition number one ito, kasi karaniwan ang debate nagsisimula sa salitang ‘resolve’ halimbawa: ‘Resolve that as the international recognition of WPS is an enforcement of the arbitral award against China in the international forum, NAMRIA and DFA have the duty to define the portion of its limits pertaining to the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, deposit the same with the Secretary General, and publish the same for other states to be notified,’” Marcoleta said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/3/marcoleta-denies-weakening-ph-interests-in-wps-1908">WATCH: Marcoleta denies weakening PH interests in WPS </a></div><p>He mentioned that he will be in the affirmative on this first point. </p><p>“Proposition number two: ‘Resolve that as certain KIG features and their territorial seas are outside the Philippine EEZ, and erroneously excluded from the maps marked WPS, which were submitted in the South China Sea Arbitration, the DFA and DENR and also Namria have the duty to correct said maps, produce the coordinates, and draw  joining lines to incorporate the features in the WPS and publish the same for the international community to be notified,” Marcoleta added. </p><p>“Proposition number three: ‘Resolve that the chart submission and notification are [the] State&#x27;s obligation under the UNCLOS,’” he further said. </p><p>The lawmaker believes the propositions are enough for a meaningful debate that Filipinos will understand. </p><p>Tarriela has rejected Marcoleta’s invitation and said the country’s sovereignty and legal entitlements in Philippine waters are not up for debate.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/8/tarriela-invites-marcoleta-on-flight-over-kalayaan-island-group-0925">Tarriela invites Marcoleta on flight over Kalayaan Island Group</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/14/tarriela-insists-threat-of-war-only-comes-from-pro-china-trolls-1645">Tarriela insists: Threat of war only comes from pro-China trolls</a></div><p>The PBA said there should be clear debate protocols with a limited number of issues. </p><div><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/My3kOFNQdCQ" title="Lawyers&#x27; group offers to host Carpio-Marcoleta debate | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="956" height="538" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bIw7f9CH2So" title="ICYMI: Carpio says Marcoleta could face ethics complaint | DZMM TeleRadyo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Senator Rodante Marcoleta welcomed the offer of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) to host the debate between him and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the topic of the West Philippine Sea.</p>

Senator Rodante Marcoleta welcomed the offer of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) to host the debate between him and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the topic of the West Philippine Sea.

Marcoleta accepts Philippine Bar Association offer to host ‘friendly debate’ on West Philippine Sea

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Marcoleta accepts Philippine Bar Association offer to host ‘friendly debate’ on West Philippine Sea

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 17, 2026 12:56 PM PHT

Read More:

rodante marcoleta

west philippine sea

friendly debate

antonio carpio

philippine bar association

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