Malacañang
Manila

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 159

By virtue of Memorandum Order No. 448 dated 09 October 1997, a Negotiating Panel was created to settle the ownership issue on the ten hectare US diplomatic and consular area in Fort Bonifacio and the establishment of lease arrangements over the same property forUSdiplomatic and consular housing.

The panel was composed of the following:

Chairman – Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs
Members – Heads or designated representatives of the following offices:

Office of the Executive Secretary;
Department of Justice
Bases Conversion Development Authority

Said panel was directed to observe the following guidelines:

The land in question remains the public domain of the Republic of thePhilippines, thus its ownership shall not be subject to negotiation;
Negotiations shall be limited to the terms and conditions of the development of the land with the duration of the lease arrangements fixed at the shortest time possible; and
Arrangements should ensure the most productive use of the property.

In order to protect the interests and the ownership of the Republic of the Philippineson subject consular area, this Office hereby orders the reconstitution of the abovementioned Negotiating Panel, with the understanding that the same (the Panel) shall still be directed and guided by the abovementioned guidelines.

The panel shall submit its report and recommendations to this Office not later than thirty (30) days from its reconstitution.

By authority of the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary

Manila, 28 January 2005