The Philippine Bar Association (PBA) has offered to host and facilitate a public debate between retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio and Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta on issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In a statement on Saturday, the PBA said it is willing to serve as a neutral convenor and to provide a 'neutral venue' for the proposed debate, following Carpio’s formal acceptance of Marcoleta’s challenge.
The exchange stems from recent discussions on the Philippines’ maritime entitlements and the 2016 arbitral ruling related to the disputed waters.
The challenge surfaced after Marcoleta was invited to join a maritime domain awareness flight organized by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), part of the country’s claimed territories in the WPS, over the senator’s remarks suggesting that the Philippines should “give up“ the disputed territory.
The senator subsequently called for a public debate with Carpio to clarify differing views on the legal and constitutional dimensions of the issue.
Carpio, who has been a vocal advocate for upholding the arbitral award, accepted the challenge, emphasizing the importance of educating the public on the country’s sovereign rights and international law.
The PBA said its objective in offering to host the event is to help the public better understand the legal and constitutional issues involved, particularly concerning the arbitral ruling and the Philippines’ territorial rights.
The association pledged to provide a secure and neutral venue, complete with professional moderators and clearly defined rules on time and format. It is also committed to ensuring transparency through livestreaming and open access for both media and the public.
"We extend this invitation in the spirit of constructive engagement and democratic dialogue. The Association stands ready to coordinate with their respective offices to finalize details at their convenience," the statement reads.
By facilitating the dialogue, the PBA aims to transform what began as a political challenge into a constructive and educational exchange grounded in legal facts and civility. The group expressed hope that the debate would bridge the gap between high-level policy discussions and broader citizen awareness regarding the WPS dispute.
