述評菲律賓最高法院關於“《南海協議區三方聯合海洋地震工作協議》案”的判決

Commentary on the Decision Issued by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on the Constitutionality of JMSU

菲律賓最高法院關於《南海協議區三方聯合海洋地震工作協議》一案的判決由程序和實體部分組成。菲律賓最高法院在處理程序問題時，有意降低違憲審查的啟動標準，有明顯有利於原告起訴的傾向，表現出要受理本案的強烈願望。相比於程序問題的判決中存在不少爭議，實體問題的判決中爭議較少。焦點集中於“三方協議”是否涉及1987年《菲律賓憲法》所規定的“勘探石油資源”。該問題在以往的判例中並未出現。菲律賓最高法院通過本案進一步闡明了“勘探”的內涵，即以探尋石油資源為目的所進行的活動（其中包括“三方協議”所規定的活動），其獨立於開發和利用油氣資源。本案判決具有三個方面的影響。首先，菲律賓對自然資源強烈的控制欲排斥共同開發。其次，菲律賓可能只接受其主導下的油氣開發。最後，菲律賓總統締約權受限不利於中菲處理南海問題。

The decision issued by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on the constitutionality of JMSU consists of procedural issues and merits. With regard to the procedural issues, the Supreme Court deliberately lowers the threshold of initiating constitutional review which is in favor of petitioners' application and demonstrating the Supreme Court's strong desire for taking cognizance of this case. Contrary to the decision on procedural issues, there is less controversy over the merits. The main issue in merits is concentrated on whether JMSU is involving ''exploration of petroleum resources'' under the Philippines' Constitution which is matter had not been dealt with by the Supreme Court in precedents. In this case, the Supreme Court further clarifies the connotations of ''exploration'' which are the activities aim at searching and finding petroleum resources, involving activities provided by JMSU, and independent from development and utilization of petroleum resources. The decision on this case would generate impacts in the following three aspects. Firstly, Philippines' strong desire for controlling natural resources exclude the joint development. Secondly, Philippines would only likely to accept the exploration, development and utilization of petroleum resources under its domination. Thirdly, the limits on the Philippine President's prerogative in concluding international agreements are unhelpful to resolve the South China Sea disputes between China and the Philippines.