MANILA, Philippines -- A bill defining the country’s territory to include the disputed Spratly Islands, which has been pending at the plenary for final reading, will be sent back to the House committee on affairs.

This comes as controversy rages over an agreement the Philippines signed with China and Vietnam to conduct a seismic study of an area spanning 142,886 square kilometers in the South China Sea, including the disputed Spratlys.

The House committee, chaired by Cebu Representative Antonio Cuenco, overwhelmingly voted to recommit House Bill 3216 following an emergency meeting late Tuesday noon.

Of the more than 20 committee members present, only six voted to proceed with the plenary vote, said Sorsogon Representative Jose Solis.

Solis, who voted against sending back the bill to the committee on affairs, said Cuenco might raise the committee decision on the floor Tuesday night.

Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez and Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo also protested on the floor the manner by which the committee reversed its approval of the bill.

But senior deputy Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales said the group’s decision was not yet final.

“Regardless of the decision, there will be a move, any move on the matter to recommit the same. It will still have to be voted upon by the plenary and during that time, any member, including the distinguished, can vote against the motion,” Gonzales said.

The Spratlys -- potentially oil-and mineral-rich islands, islets, reefs, atolls and cays -- is being claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.