Justice Carpio explains why President Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address broke no new ground on the West Philippine Sea issue, repeating old positions on the Arbitral Award and omitting support for key maritime claims that could strengthen the Philippines’ legal posture.
Justice Carpio evaluates conflicting statements by President Duterte and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on West Philippine Sea policy, stressing the importance of legal accuracy and consistency in defending Philippine sovereign rights.
Justice Carpio explains the constitutional ban on nuclear weapons in the Philippines and analyzes President Duterte’s vow to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement if proof of U.S. nuclear weapon storage is found on Philippine soil.
Justice Carpio criticizes the President’s “no vaccine, no VFA” ultimatum linking U.S. vaccine delivery to the Visiting Forces Agreement, explaining how advance payment mechanisms and misreading of procurement law undermine access to Western COVID-19 vaccines and risk geopolitical leverage.
Justice Carpio explains how policy shifts and rhetoric by President Duterte—including moves toward VFA abrogation and reduced joint military cooperation—have weakened deterrence and the Philippines’ defenses in the West Philippine Sea, undermining constitutional duties to protect maritime sovereign rights.