Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 159)
The purpose of Memorandum Order No. 159 is to reconstitute the Negotiating Panel tasked with settling the ownership issue and lease arrangements regarding the ten-hectare US diplomatic and consular area in Fort Bonifacio, while protecting the interests and ownership rights of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Negotiating Panel is composed of a Chairman who is an Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and members from the Office of the Executive Secretary, Department of Justice, and the Bases Conversion Development Authority.
The land remains the public domain of the Republic of the Philippines and, therefore, its ownership shall not be subject to negotiation.
Negotiations are limited to the terms and conditions of the development and lease arrangements of the land, with the lease duration fixed at the shortest time possible.
The panel must observe that the land remains public domain, ownership is non-negotiable, negotiations focus on lease terms only, lease duration should be the shortest possible, and arrangements should ensure the most productive use of the property.
The Bases Conversion Development Authority participates as a member of the Negotiating Panel to represent its interest and expertise in the development and conversion of former military bases such as the Fort Bonifacio area.
The Executive Secretary, by authority of the President of the Philippines, ordered the reconstitution of the Negotiating Panel under Memorandum Order No. 159.
The panel must submit its report and recommendations to the Office of the Executive Secretary not later than thirty (30) days from its reconstitution.
No. Ownership rights of the land remain solely with the Republic of the Philippines and are expressly excluded from negotiation.
Ensuring the most productive use of the property mandates that any agreements or arrangements regarding the land maximize its utility and benefits, supporting national interests and effective land use.