MANILA — ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro wants former President Rodrigo Duterte invited once the House of Representatives begins looking into the alleged gentlemen’s agreement between him and China over conduct in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Duterte nagka-'gentleman's agreement' sa China tungkol sa West PH Sea: Roque

Calls are growing at the lower chamber of Congress to launch a congressional inquiry into the matter.

“As of now, wala pa tayong schedule ng probe noong House inquiry. Definitely, pabibigyan namin ng invitation si former President Duterte, kasi siya ‘yung kausap ng China. Walang iba na pwede magsalita doon sa probe kung hindi siya, kung sinuman ang mga kasama niya during doon sa pinag-usapan nila,” she told the media in an online interview on Monday.

READ: Senate probe sought into 'treasonous' Duterte-China 'gentleman's agreement'

House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Representative Jay Khonghun said on Sunday that the House wants to "uncover the truth" as Duterte and Beijing issued "conflicting statements" on the alleged deal.

“Who is lying—Duterte or China—regarding the existence of the contentious agreement?” Khonghun asked in a statement.

He said the House investigation is expected to include hearings and testimonies from relevant parties, including former government officials and diplomatic representatives.

READ: Duterte-Xi 'secret deal' shows duplicity of past admin: De Lima

House Deputy Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Lone District Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II for his part, stressed that the supposed gentlemen’s agreement on the non-supply of the BRP Sierra Madre grounded in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea is “constitutionally void.”

“The so-called ‘agreement,’ if any, is constitutionally void since it is tantamount to the surrender of our country’s sovereign rights over our EEZ (exclusive economic zone).  Such an agreement will be equivalent to a new National Policy, which must be enshrined in a Treaty to be submitted to the Senate for ratification before it can take effect,” Gonzales said.

“There are still some necessary criteria that we should satisfy before it is considered legally binding here in the Philippines. First, for the alleged ‘agreement’ to be enforceable, it must be in the form of an Executive Agreement.  Since there is no official record under our records, the alleged ‘agreement’ may not be considered an Executive Agreement,” he added.

The chairman of the House Special Committee on the West Philippine Sea urged Filipinos “not to fall prey to the false narrative” that it is the Philippine government causing the rising tensions in the WPS.

READ: China using 'gentleman's pact' to deflect illegal activities in WPS: Teodoro

“Since when do we blame a bullied person for being bullied? Also, if they claim that revealing this alleged secret agreement to the public is for the sake of transparency, then why do they cry foul when we expose their activities in our EEZ?” Gonzales explained.  

“No, we should already put an end to this. Instead, we should just diligently continue our duty to protect the interests of our country,” he added.