Philippine vice president blasts 'reckless' Duterte over China deal

MANILA, Sept 12 (Reuters) - The vice president of the
Philippines on Thursday rebuked the country's leader for being
"reckless" in suggesting he would consider ignoring an
arbitration ruling in its favour over a territorial dispute with
China in order to forge a joint energy deal with Beijing.
Leni Robredo, who also leads the opposition, described as
"extremely irresponsible" President Rodrigo Duterte's apparent
openness to concede to China and accept its offer to jointly
develop gas reserves, which an international tribunal ruled
Manila had the right to exploit.
Entering into any deal should not come at the expense of
upholding the country's rights in the South China Sea, Robredo
said in a statement.
Robredo was elected separately to Duterte and was not his
running mate. She has a frosty relationship with the president,
who often mocks her during his public speeches.
Duterte on Tuesday said Chinese President Xi Jinping told
him that Beijing was ready to be a minority partner in a joint
energy venture at the Reed Bank, but the Philippines must first
set aside the 2016 award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration
in the Hague, a ruling China does not recognise. Its interpretation of maritime boundaries also ruled that
China's claim to most of the South China Sea had no legal basis
under United Nations maritime law, in what was a big blow to
Beijing.
Robredo said Duterte's remarks were "profoundly
disappointing" and said the Philippine constitution already
allowed partnerships with foreign firms within the country's
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), without the need to make
concessions.
The arbitral ruling is still subject to talks between the
two countries, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told a
regular news conference. Meanwhile, the countries could focus on
items that could be of mutual benefit, he added.
Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has pursued warmer ties
with China, avoiding criticism or confrontation with Beijing
exchange for billions of dollars in loans, grants and
investment, much of which have yet to arrive.
Former Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, who was among
those who sought arbitration, said Duterte did not need to give
anything away.
"To come up with an economic activity in our EEZ need not
involve setting aside the arbitral ruling and running afoul of
the constitution," del Rosario said.