Filipino Lawyer Jordan Pizarras to Attend Donald Trump’s Inauguration

Filipino lawyer Jordan Pizarras, who serves as legal counsel to American businessman Timothy Strong, has been invited to the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. This invitation underscores the United States’ dedication to strengthening its relationship with the Philippines, especially in addressing disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Strong, a significant shareholder in PXP Energy Corporation, has played a key role in the development of Service Contract 72 (SC 72) in the Reed Bank/Recto Bank basin, located west of Palawan Island. PXP Energy, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, has the rights to explore the energy-rich SC 72, which falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Reed Bank basin is estimated to hold about 3.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, with the Sampaguita gas field contributing around 2.6 trillion cubic feet of this total. These resources are projected to last over a century and could be worth more than USD500 trillion, playing a crucial role in the Philippines’ energy security and economic development. However, exploration in the area has been on hold since 2014 due to a moratorium prompted by escalating tensions with China. The Department of Energy has recently suggested lifting this moratorium, indicating a potential restart of exploration activities, subject to approval from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Pizarras received his invitation from US House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican leader who supports stronger US-Philippine ties. This invitation is seen as a sign of Washington’s backing for the Philippines in enforcing the 2016 UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which rejected China’s nine-dash line claim over the WPS and confirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Reed Bank. Despite ongoing Chinese activities in the disputed waters, US-Philippine collaboration seeks to uphold the Philippines’ territorial and economic rights under international law. Political analysts interpret Pizarras’ attendance at the inauguration as a strategic effort to enhance international support for the Philippines amidst continuing maritime disputes with China.