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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: No interest will be lost in possible PH-China oil, gas exploration

Palace: No interest will be lost in possible PH-China oil, gas exploration

Published Mar 30, 2026 02:08 pm
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro (Betheena Unite)
No national interest will be lost in case the Philippines engage in a joint oil and gas exploration with China, a Palace official said.
This, as the Philippines and China have resumed high-level consultations with both sides exploring possible cooperation in oil and gas development alongside broader dialogue, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently said.
According to the DFA, both sides made progress on practical measures, including "initial exchanges on potential oil and gas cooperation."
However, while Manila is open to renewed discussions on possible oil and gas cooperation with Beijing, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro assured that the President Marcos will remain committed to protecting the country's sovereignty and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Castro stressed that the Marcos administration will not allow any interest to be lost amid possible talks.
She also reiterated that the Philippines is always sincere in talks with China, reaffirming that there are no secret deals.
"Lagi naman, kung ano ang nararapat sa atin at kung anong karapatan natin, 'yan naman ang ipinaglalaban ng Pangulo at ng administrayon na ito (Always, whatever is rightfully ours and whatever our rights are, that is what the President and this administration are fighting for)," Castro said in an interview with PTV on Monday, March 30.
"So, walang mawawala. Walang mawawalang interes, walang ipamimigay na interes. Basta tayo laging sincere, walang secret deal (So, nothing will be lost. No interests will be lost, and no interests will be given away. We remain sincere, there are no secret deals)," Castro added.
The Palace official also disclosed that at present, "nothing is happening yet" regarding the two countries' discussions.
"Kung merong plano man, kung magkakaroon man ng joint exploration, alam naman natin na ang Pilipinas, sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay open (If there is any plan, or if there will be joint exploration, we know that the Philippines, under the leadership of President Marcos Jr., is open)," Castro said.
"Sabi nga niya ay nothing is off the table. Pero sa ngayon ay walang pinag-uusapan, walang anumang update, at lagi naman tayong magiging sincere sa mga pag-uusap kung meron man, at lagi tayong magiging maiangat para sa interes ng bayan at para sa interes ng bawat Pilipino (As he said, nothing is off the table. But for now, nothing is being discussed, there are no updates, and we will always remain sincere in any talks if there are any, and we will always uphold what is best for the nation and for the interests of every Filipino)," Castro added.
Marcos, in an interview with Bloomberg, said changes in relations with China are already taking place as he signaled openness to joint gas development with Beijing despite ongoing territorial disputes.
“I think it’s certainly going to happen… there’s going to be a very, very serious restructuring,” the President said.

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