MALACAÑANG pledged Wednesday, November 21, to make public the "complete, proper, and correct" details of the 29 agreements signed between the Philippines and China during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Manila.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo asked for the public's understanding, explaining that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has yet to furnish the Palace with "pertinent" information about the 29 deals.
Panelo noted that the DFA, as the agency primarily responsible for Xi's two-day State Visit, was "still preoccupied" with the activities of the Chinese leader Wednesday.
"We therefore ask for everyone's understanding, especially the media, in this regard," the Palace official said in a statement.
"We assure everyone that the government would release all pertinent information for public consumption once President Xi's visit has culminated, and as soon as the complete, proper, and correct documents become certified and available," he added.
Panelo's statement came amid calls for the release of copies of the 29 bilateral arrangements inked between the Philippines and China, including the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the two nations' cooperation on oil and gas development.
The MOU on cooperation on oil and gas development between Manila and Beijing was signed after the bilateral meeting of Duterte and Xi at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, November 20.
Prior to the signing of the deals, a copy of the draft deal titled "Framework Agreement on Joint Maritime Oil and Gas Exploration between China and the Philippines" was leaked to opposition Senator Trillanes IV.
Trillanes, along with Senator Francis Pangilinan, filed a Senate resolution on Monday. November 19, seeking the release of the government's draft joint exploration deal with China in the disputed South China Sea.
According to the leaked agreement, the two countries will conduct joint oil and gas exploration "in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, fairness and mutual benefit, flexibility and pragmatism and consensus through equal and friendly consultation."
The document failed to identify the specific location where the Philippines and China will jointly explore oil and gas reserves, merely noting that it will be done "in relevant sea areas in the South China Sea."
On Tuesday, Cusi said the two countries have yet to specify the area where they can both "enjoy the resources." (SunStar Philippines)