For the sake of endangered dolphins, whales and other marine mammals, the Supreme Court yesterday struck down as unconstitutional, a deal between the Department of Energy (DOE) and a Japanese firm for oil “exploration, development and exploitation” in Tañon Strait, an “environmentally critical area” between the islands of Cebu and Negros. In a unanimous vote, the high court declared as null and void Service Contract No. 46 (SC 46) between the DOE and the Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. (Japex) for oil exploration activities in the protected waters that was signed in 2004. The high court ruled that SC 46 was in violation of Republic Act No. 7586, or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (Nipas), which deemed Tañon Strait to be a critical area.

Quismundo, T. (2015, April 22). SC sides with dolphins, strikes down oil deal. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.