Sell outs?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The sensational NBN-ZTE probe has not yet been concluded and yet another agreement involving the Philippines and China is already under fire for allegedly being unconstitutional and infringing on our country’s sovereignty.

The Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking, which includes pre-exploration activities in disputed areas in the South China Sea by the Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp., China National Offshore Oil Co., and Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp., is being bashed by government critics for allowing a Chinese entity to conduct seismic studies for oil exploration purposes not just in disputed territories, but also in what is undeniably Philippine territory.

If this deal is as harmless as the administration would like us to believe it is, then it must present to the public all the details concerning the deal instead of resorting to blanket denials and accusing the opposition of mere sensationalism.  Claims that our country is being sold to the highest bidder may indeed be sensational, but the gravity of such a claim means that it has to be investigated exhaustively so that the people can be convincingly assured that such a thing did not happen indeed.

Another cancellation without further investigation, much like the government response to the NBN-ZTE deal after the stink and the public clamor got too unbearable, will not be acceptable to the Filipino people in the case of the JMSU, especially when claims that the JMSU deal is “grossly disadvantageous” to the Philippines’ claim to disputed territories, which is said to be unimaginably rich in natural resources like natural gas and even oil.

The Philippines is already in danger of losing its claim to a significant chunk of its disputed territories at the South China Sea because of the inaction of government officials with regards to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea deadline in the submission of claims.  Allegations that our claim to these abundant riches is further being compromised by the wheeling and dealing of government officials make us wonder if the people in power are actually working for the best interests of the country instead of their own.

Let us hope that when the UNCLOS deadline lapses next year the Philippines does not lose its rightful claims to these disputed territories because of the actions and inaction of our elected officials.

We may be able to charge them with treason and dereliction of duty for that, but not even their conviction will give us back what they caused our country to lose during their stints as its stewards.*