Former Defense Secretary and senatorial candidate Gilbert (GIBO) Teodoro supports oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for as long as the deals adhere to the Constitution.

“The Constitution states that in terms of oil, maritime, and other resources in our territorial sea and exclusive economic zone, the State can only enter into financial and technical assistance agreements with foreign corporations. It doesn’t state countries but foreign corporations,” Gibo Teodoro said.

The former Tarlac congressman and 1989 Bar topnotcher said that the Philippine government should be open to partnerships with different foreign corporations in finding new oil and gas sources within the Philippine waters.

Gibo Teodoro said the country should also accelerate discovery and drilling activities for new oil and gas sources to lessen its dependency on imported oil and gas, which prices are volatile.

He added that pursuing oil and gas exploration activities in the West Philippine Sea will likewise reflect the Philippines’ gain from The Hague ruling.