There is no need for the Senate to review the agreement forged by the Duterte administration with China on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said yesterday. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during the recent state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping does not require concurrence of Senate under the 1987 Constitution. The DOJ chief made the statement after Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto called for a legislative review of the MOU following concerns that it could compromise the country’s sovereignty or lead to a debt trap.

Punay, E., Flores, H., & Mendez, C. (2018, December 6). 'MOU on oil exploration with China constitutional'. The Philippine Star, p. 6.