Law Summary
Prohibition of Official Relations with Taiwan
- Philippine government officials are prohibited from visiting Taiwan.
- Officials are also banned from receiving calls or visits by Taiwanese officials in the Philippines.
- This policy enforces the one-China principle and aligns with the agreement with the PRC.
Nature of People-to-People Relations with Taiwan
- Unofficial contacts between the Philippines and Taiwan may continue, including commercial, economic, cultural, and other non-governmental interactions.
- Private offices such as the Philippines' Asian Exchange Center, Inc. in Taipei and Taiwan's Pacific Economic and Cultural Center in Manila facilitate these unofficial contacts.
- These private entities must maintain a non-governmental image and are not to be granted diplomatic or consular status.
Official Visits and Their Implications
- Visits by high-ranking Philippine government officials to Taiwan are considered official despite being framed as private visits.
- Such visits attract public attention and are perceived by the PRC as official acts.
- The PRC views both visits by Philippine officials to Taiwan and calls from visiting Taiwanese officials as violations of the one-China policy and the Joint Communique.
Requirement of Department of Foreign Affairs Clearance
- No official activity concerning Taiwan may be undertaken without prior clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Immediate Effect and Enforceability
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon issuance.
- It is promulgated as the official policy of the Philippine government under the constitutional powers of the President.
Summary of Restrictions Imposed
- Prohibition on any Philippine government official visits to Taiwan.
- Prohibition on receiving Taiwanese officials visiting the Philippines by any Philippine government official.
- Mandatory clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs for any official matters related to Taiwan.