MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the Marcos administration may consider pursuing joint oil and gas exploration projects with China, including in the West Philippine Sea, citing ongoing risks to global oil supply due to tensions in the Middle East.

Lacson, however, underscored that any agreement must adhere to the 60-40 foreign ownership limitation mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

“Yes. Four-square behind, sinusuportahan ko. Kasi sayang eh. Yayaman tayo doon (Yes. I am supporting this, I’m four-square behind it. There is so much potential. We can benefit greatly from it),” he said in an interview on DZBB radio when asked about the possibility of joint exploration.

He pointed out that while the West Philippine Sea is believed to have significant oil and natural gas reserves that could help meet the country’s energy needs, the Philippines lacks the financial capacity and technical capability to fully develop these resources. He noted that China possesses the equipment and expertise needed for such operations.

Lacson also recalled that during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, he and then Senate President Vicente Sotto III, along with former senator Gregorio Honasan II, raised the issue with Duterte, who he said expressed strong support for the initiative.

“Ang mahalaga lang sa atin, on paper sa agreement, sa MOA or whatever na pipirmahan, maliwanag emphasized doon 60-40. Pag pumayag ang China, panalo na tayo dahil ibig sabihin nire-recognize nila ang sovereignty ng Pilipinas sa West Philippine Sea o kung saan man ang area na ma-explore (What is important is that for us, at least on paper, the 60-40 provision is emphasized. If China agrees, it is a big win for us because it means they recognize our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and other areas of the Philippines that the joint exploration may cover),” Lacson said.