MANILA — Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday accepted the Philippine Bar Association’s offer to host a public debate with Senator Rodante Marcoleta, saying the senator’s remarks about the West Philippine Sea must be corrected.

“I accept the terms of the Philippine Bar Association. May terms sila, it will be a formal debate, papayag ako. Kahit saan, papayag ako,” Carpio told Balitanghali.
(I accept the terms of the Philippine Bar Association. They have terms, it will be a formal debate, I will agree. It could be anywhere, and I will agree.)

In a report, the association last week offered a neutral and secure venue, professional moderators, clear debate protocols, and open access for accredited media for the possible debate. The event comes after Marcoleta challenged Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela to a “friendly debate,” suggesting that Carpio and University of the Philippines Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea professor Jay Batongbacal also participate.

“Dahil nagsalita na si Marcoleta, we have to correct this. Otherwise, the people will be misinformed. We have to correct this,” Carpio said.
(Because Marcoleta has spoken, we have to correct this. Otherwise, the people will be misinformed. We have to correct this.)

Carpio said the debate should cover the issues raised by Marcoleta.

“Para matuto ‘yung publiko. This is to educate everybody. Dahil hindi pwede ‘yung isang senador, sinasabi niya in public na walang West Philippine Sea. Legally, walang West Philippine Sea. Okay, let’s debate on that,” he said.
(So the public can know. This is to educate everybody. Because a senator cannot say that there’s no West Philippine Sea. Legally, there’s no West Philippine Sea. Okay, let’s debate on that.)

Carpio also addressed Marcoleta’s threat to sue him for treason over a 2011 decision involving the country’s territory, noting that treason can only be committed during wartime.

“There’s no crime of treason during peacetime. Every freshman law student knows that treason can be committed only during war time,” he said.

He added that before Marcoleta could pursue such a charge, he would need to amend the Revised Penal Code and the Constitution.

“Saka dapat, kumbinsihin ‘yung President at saka Senate na mag-withdraw tayo sa UNCLOS. Dahil sa UNCLOS, we agree that our territorial sea ay hanggang 12 nautical miles lang,” Carpio said.
(He should also convince the President and the Senate to withdraw from UNCLOS. Because under the UNCLOS, we agree that our territorial sea is only 12 nautical miles.)

Carpio stressed that the Constitution requires the Philippines to adhere to international law.