Former President Rodrigo Duterte can be charged with graft for entering into a “gentleman’s agreement” with China that barred the Philippines from sending repair materials for BRP Sierra Madre, retired Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio said.
“Duterte agreed not to bring construction materials but we have exclusive rights to put up a structure in Ayungin Shoal. He crippled our exclusive right,” Carpio said in a television interview.
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He said even if the deal was only verbal, it was still unconstitutional as the state is obligated to protect marine wealth within the country’s exlusive economic zone.
“Under the anti-graft law, anyone who causes damage through manifest partiality may be held liable,” Carpio said.
