The government eased previous restrictions on officials visiting Taiwan for economic, trade and investment-related purposes.
Memorandum Circular 82, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 15 April, also allows for the reception of Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines and prescribes the guidelines for implementing Executive Order 313 (S. 1987), which prohibits officials from visiting Taiwan and from receiving Taiwanese officials in the Philippines.
Philippines does not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island that has been politically separate from mainland China since 1949.
MC 82 relaxed restrictions on travel to Taiwan and contact with Taiwanese representatives shall strictly apply to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of National Defense.
The memorandum also stated that government officials intending to visit Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes shall travel using their ordinary passports and without using their official titles.
Additionally, they are required to notify the Manila Economic and Cultural Office of the purpose of their visit before departure and coordinate with MECO throughout their stay in Taiwan.
No government official may receive Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines.
Likewise, no activity relating to Taiwan shall be carried out “without the clearance of the Department of Foreign Affairs.”
The new memorandum also indicated that government officials traveling to Taiwan “for economic, trade, and investment purposes shall submit to MECO and DFA a report on their travel.”
Through MECO, they may also receive delegations from Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes.
The memorandum also indicated that agreements, memoranda of understanding, exchange of notes, or similar documents shall be concluded with any Taiwanese organization or agency without clearance from the DFA and, as may be necessary, an authority to sign from the Office of the President.