Independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman took to Twitter to dissect the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent ruling that struck down the 2005 Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU).
"The Supreme Court has spoken," Lagman tweeted on Thursday, Jan. 12.
The Bicolano was referring to the High Court's decision declaring as unconstitutional the JMSU, which was implemented during the time former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"Agreements entered into by the President with foreign-owned corporations on 'large-scale exploration, development and utilization of minerals' in the West Philippine Sea must respect Philippine sovereignty," Lagman said.
"They shall also be limited to 'either technical or financial assistance' only according to the Constitution. These restrictions are to safeguard the Filipinos’ sole benefits from resources in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ)," the Liberal Party (LP) president further explained.
Arroyo had earlier reacted to the SC's decision, saying that she respects it.
Lagman and Arroyo are currently colleagues in the House of the Representatives, with the latter being the Pampanga 2nd district congresswoman.