Lawyers’ org offers to host Carpio-Marcoleta West PH Sea debate

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Bar Association (PBA) expressed its readiness to moderate the proposed public debate between former Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, offering a neutral venue for a healthy discussion on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The group made the offer after Carpio accepted Marcoleta’s challenge to a public debate, where Carpio proposed to tackle the legal existence of the West Philippine Sea and the status of the Kalayaan Island Group.

According to a statement released on Friday, the PBA, an independent and non-partisan association of lawyers, said that an “open, reasoned, and respectful exchange of views is essential to an informed citizenry.”

 “We recognize that the matters concerning the West Philippine Sea carry significant implications. A structured debate-grounded in facts, law, and civility – would meaningfully contribute to national discourse,” it added.

READ: WPS showdown: Carpio accepts Marcoleta’s debate challenge

In line with their invitation, the association said it will readily provide the following:

• a neutral and secure venue suitable for trusted media coverage and public access
• professional moderators with expertise on the subject matters, as well as constitutional and public law
• clear debate protocols ensuring fairness, equal time, and decorum
• Open access for accredited media and livestreaming arrangements to ensure transparency

The association said it is prepared to work with Carpio’s and Marcoleta’s offices to finalize the details whenever convenient, leaving the contact information of its president, Rachel Aileen Santos, in the announcement. /atm