Malacañang finally made public on Monday the copy of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently signed by the Philippines and China creating the framework for future negotiations on the joint oil and gas exploration. The MOU, however, does not specify the maritime areas to be covered should a joint exploration pushes through. The working groups, meanwhile, will consist of representatives from enterprises authorized by the two governments. China has appointed the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) as its representative in all working groups while the Philippines will authorize an enterprise that has entered into a service contract with the government. If there are no such enterprises, authority will be given to the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), the MOU noted.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 26, 2018 05:57 UTC