MANILA, Philippines, February 14, 2026 — The Philippine Bar Association (PBA) has formally offered to host a public debate between Senator Rodante Marcoleta and retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the contentious issue of the West Philippine Sea.

The announcement comes after Carpio accepted Marcoleta’s challenge to a debate, signaling what could be one of the most high-profile public exchanges on the matter in recent years.

In its statement, the PBA emphasized its commitment to providing a neutral and secure venue for the event, ensuring that the debate would be accessible to the public and covered by trusted media outlets. 

The association also pledged to appoint professional moderators with expertise in constitutional and public law, and to enforce clear protocols that guarantee fairness, equal time, and decorum throughout the proceedings. 

“We recognize that the matters concerning the West Philippine Sea carry significant implications. An open, reasoned, and respectful exchange of views is essential to an informed citizenry,” the PBA said.

Carpio, a long-time advocate for defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, has consistently argued that the 2016 arbitral ruling under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is legally binding and invalidates China’s expansive claims. 

Marcoleta, on the other hand, has questioned the legal framing of the issue and has been vocal about exploring alternative approaches to the dispute. 

Carpio has proposed that the debate should tackle the legal existence of the West Philippine Sea and the status of the Kalayaan Island Group, which remains a focal point of the territorial dispute.

The debate, if finalized, is expected to draw significant public interest, given the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the Philippines’ efforts to assert its maritime rights. 

The PBA has also offered livestreaming arrangements to ensure transparency and wider access, underscoring the importance of public engagement in national issues of sovereignty and security.