Placing the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. Including Its Branch Office in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China, Under the Office of the President

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 931

Placing the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. Under the Office of the President
- The Asian Exchange Center, Inc. is a private corporation organized under government auspices to promote friendly cooperation with Taiwan, following the severance of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Taiwan. (Whereas clause 1)
- The operations and activities of the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. are governed by its Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and resolutions of its Board of Directors. (Whereas clause 2)
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has exercised close supervision over the operations and activities of the Asian Exchange Center, Inc., including its branch office in Taipei, Taiwan. (Whereas clause 3)
- The Asian Exchange Center in Taiwan has become a dependent office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarded as a Class I foreign service post, subject to the rules and regulations of the Ministry applicable to all diplomatic posts and foreign service units of the Philippines worldwide. (Whereas clause 4)
- The function entrusted to the Asian Exchange Center, Inc. of fostering friendly relations with Taiwan, short of diplomatic dealings, is a delicate and precarious responsibility due to the Philippines' commitment to the People's Republic of China to avoid official contacts with the ruling government on Taiwan, which is the Government of the Republic of China. (Whereas clause 5)
- The special status of the Asian Exchange Center in Taipei, having unofficial dealings with a country with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, should make it a separate and distinct entity from the regular official diplomatic posts of the Philippines under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Whereas clause 6)
- The Asian Exchange Center, Inc. not only performs consular and trade functions in Taiwan but is also mandated to attract Taiwanese investments to strengthen the economy of the Philippines. (Whereas clause 7)
- It is desirable that the Asian Exchange Center be placed under the Office of the President of the Philippines to operate with more flexibility to attain its objectives. (Whereas clause 8)
- The President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in him by the Constitution, orders that the Asian Exchange Center, Inc., including its branch office in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China, be placed under the Office of the President of the Philippines. (Operative clause)
- The Order shall take effect immediately. (Operative clause)