Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “has no secret deals” and has always been sincere in negotiations, Malacañang said on Thursday after China cited a &quot;need for sincerity&quot; for dialogues on joint oil and gas explorations to resume.“Unang-una po, hindi po kailanman naging hindi sincere ang bansang Pilipinas,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters. “Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, sa lahat ng okasyon, ang Pilipinas ay laging sincere sa pakikipag-usap, pakikipagnegosasyon lalung-lalo na sa pamumuno po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” she said. “Wala po siyang secret deal.” <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/25/marcos-very-serious-restructuring-of-relations-with-china-certainly-going-to-happen-1300">Marcos: ‘Very serious restructuring’ of relations with China ‘certainly going to happen’</a></div>Castro gave the statement when asked to comment on China’s statement that it is willing to work with the Philippines in looking for energy resources in the South China Sea if Manila will demonstrate sincerity. “Setting aside differences and pursuing joint development is the right path to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and deliver benefits to countries in the region and their peoples,” the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement. “China and the Philippines have conducted in-depth discussions on joint oil and gas development in disputed waters in the South China Sea and have made positive progress,” the statement read. “As long as the Philippine side demonstrates sincerity, China’s door to dialogue and cooperation will remain open,” it read. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/business/12/01/22/marcos-ph-needs-to-find-ways-for-oil-exploration-despite-china-roadblock">Marcos: Philippines needs to find ways for oil exploration despite China dispute &#x27;roadblock&#x27;</a></div> Talk of cooperation between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea were revived this week after Marcos Jr said in an interview that it will be challenging to resume joint oil and gas exploration projects with China due to tensions in the West Philippine Sea. Under Marcos’ administration, Manila has repeatedly flagged Beijing’s illegal incursions and dangerous maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea as Chinese ships pushed to ward off Filipino vessels in the Philippines’ own exclusive economic zone. China has also refused to recognize a 2016 international arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claim in the strategic waterway where trillions-worth of seaborne goods pass through annually. &quot;China and the Philippines have conducted in-depth discussions on joint oil and gas development in disputed waters in the South China Sea and have made positive progress.&quot;&quot;As long as the Philippine side demonstrates sincerity, China’s door to dialogue and cooperation will remain open.&quot;Marcos Jr. earlier said they are considering a &quot;serious restructuring” of relations with China when asked if he sees a need to rethink relations with Asia’s largest economy amid geopolitical tensions. However, but noted that territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea could “get in the way” of talks on joint developments of oil and natural gas resources.“We&#x27;ve been talking about for a great deal, but the territorial disputes will get in the way of that,” he said.“Maybe they should provide impetus for both sides to come to an agreement,” he said.

The Chinese government said it is willing to work with the Philippines in looking for energy resources in the South China Sea if Manila will demonstrate "sincerity".

The Chinese government said it is willing to work with the Philippines in looking for energy resources in the South China Sea if Manila will demonstrate "sincerity".

Palace: Marcos ‘has no secret deals’ on joint oil exploration with China

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Palace: Marcos ‘has no secret deals’ on joint oil exploration with China

Katrina Domingo,

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 26, 2026 04:54 PM PHT

Read More:

China

Joint development

Oil exploration

joint oil and gas exploration

West Philippine Sea

oil crisis

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