Lacson backs ‘60-40’ gas exploration with ChinaSenate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson presides as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumes its public inquiry into the multi-billion-peso flood control anomaly on Jan. 19, 2026. In an interview with radio dzBB yesterday, Lacson backed a joint energy venture with Beijing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), provided the agreement strictly adheres to the 1987 Constitution’s 60-40 foreign ownership limit. He noted that the Philippines lacks the technical and financial capacity for independent exploration in the resource-rich waters. It was advertised that they raised their prices even without approval from DOE (Department of Energy) or ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission),” the senator stressed. For former Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares, a joint oil exploration agreement with China may end up like the “unconstitutional” 2005 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU).

Source: Philippine Star April 06, 2026 01:28 UTC