WPS debate might still happen in June 2022

PALACE spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the debate between President Rodrigo Duterte and retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on West Philippine Sea (WPS) issues might still push through when the Chief Executive steps down from office in June 2022.

“Much as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wanted to debate with Mr. Antonio Carpio, the Chief Executive heeded the advice of the Cabinet and decided to designate

his Spokesperson instead,” said Roque in a statement

Malacañang issued the statement after Duterte backed down from his own challenge to debate Carpio “upon the advice of his Cabinet.”

“Debating with Carpio is a demotion. A realization. This after the former Supreme Court justice expressed so much excitement. But perhaps come June 2022, we can have one,” Roque said.

Duterte challenged Carpio to a debate on China’s intrusion into WPS, particularly on who was responsible for the withdrawal of Philippine ships from the Scarbor

ough Shoal in 2012.

Duterte alleged that Carpio and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario were to be blamed for the decision to withdraw Philippine vessels from the disputed territory.

Carpio and del Rosario were vocal critics of Duterte’s alleged weak stance against China’s intrusion into the WPS.

Carpio readily accepted the President’s challenge while the Philippine Bar Association offered to host the debate.

“I accepted the President’s challenge without any conditions. Now the President has backed out of his personal challenge to me without giving a definite reason. Instead, he has designated his spokesperson

Harry Roque to debate with me on the issue of what administration lost Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef to China,” Carpio said.

Carpio turned down the debate with Roque, calling the Palace official’s suggested topics as “pointless.”

“There is no factual dispute that China seized Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines during the Aquino [3rd] administration. There is also no factual dispute that China seized Mischief Reef from the Philippines during the Ramos administration. Further, there is no factual or legal dispute that China seized Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef in violation of international law,” he said, adding, “Hence, it is pointless to debate about Scarborough Shoal

and Mischief Reef. I will not engage in a useless exercise that will only detract the public’s interest on the vital outstanding issues on the WPS, like the President’s continuing false claim that ‘China is in possession of the WPS.’”

Roque insisted that his points were valid and that Carpio should engage him in a debate.

“The Palace reiterates its challenge to the former Justice — and former Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario, if and when he wishes to join, in tandem with former Justice Carpio — to set once and for all the record straight at their designated time and venue. I will face him/them. Debate mode set. Bring it on,” Roque said.