MANILA – The Philippines is not currently conducting joint oil and gas exploration with China, but such a collaboration could be possible in the future to help ensure energy security amid global supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro said.

Lazaro’s statement follows President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent interview with Bloomberg, in which he expressed openness to restarting discussions with Beijing on a joint energy project in the South China Sea.

“Not at this point in time, but it may be forthcoming,” Lazaro said. She added that discussions remain highly sensitive due to sovereignty issues, constitutional limits, and overlapping claims in disputed waters.

The issue of joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea—territory largely overlapping China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea—is crucial for Manila because the area is believed to contain significant oil and natural gas reserves. The Supreme Court nullified the 2023 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking with China and Vietnam, ruling that it violated the Constitution by allowing foreign companies to explore Philippine resources.

While no project is currently underway, Lazaro said the DFA is coordinating with the country’s traditional petroleum suppliers to ensure that existing delivery commitments are met and to explore possible additional volumes.

The Philippines declared a state of national energy emergency on March 24 amid rising global oil prices and supply uncertainties. As of March 20, the government reported around 45 days of fuel supply and is procuring an additional 1 million barrels of oil for buffer stock.

On the possibility of sourcing oil from US-sanctioned countries, including Russia, Lazaro confirmed that the Philippines is in coordination with Washington to request exemptions or waivers. President Marcos also indicated that the country is exploring fuel procurement from Russia to mitigate the ongoing energy challenges.