By: Tamara Morrigan Catada

Former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario called on the incoming Marcos administration to select administrators for the Foreign Affairs and the Energy departments who would seek out alternative energy sources while maintaining the country's rights over the West Philippine Sea.

Del Rosario's statement came out after Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. announced that oil and gas discussions with China had been terminated completely.

The former DFA secretary lauded Locsin's recognition of "the rule of law and not of might as the way forward" but reiterated that it remains imperative to pursue other power sources, as the Philippines cannot afford to import most of its requirements from other countries.

"Given that a major source of our country’s energy, the Malampaya gas field, will run out of gas in the next few years, we need new energy sources to support the livelihood of our countrymen," he said. 

"We respectfully submit that the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has a challenging task ahead: to appoint upright and 
patriotic officials who have the talent and skill to find ways to secure new energy sources needed by our country while steadfastly upholding our sovereign rights, as guaranteed by international law and our Constitution," Del Rosario ended.