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May 14, 1997

I have the honor to refer to Your Excellency's Note of 14 May 1997 regarding the proposal of your Government to sign a Visa Waiver Agreement for diplomatic, official or consular passport holders of our two countries and to confirm the following:

1.The nationals of the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Panama, who are holders of valid diplomatic, official or consular passports, assigned to serve in their Diplomatic or Consular Missions, as well as the members of their families who are part of the household, may enter, stay and leave Philippine and Panamanian territory, respectively, without the need to comply with the required visa, during the length of their tour of duty.

2.The nationals of the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Panama, who are holders of valid diplomatic, official or consular passports, who are not accredited to the other country, shall be exempt from visas, either to transit or to freely enter Philippine or Panamanian territory, respectively, and stay up to ninety (90) days from the date of arrival.

3.The persons benefitting from this agreement shall be subject to the laws and regulations of the receiving state, concerning the entry, stay and exit of foreign nationals.

His Excellency
RICARDO ALBERTO ARIAS ARIAS
Minister of Foreign Relations
of the Republic of Panama

4.Each of the Parties may apply limitations or temporarily suspend the enforcement of this Agreement or any of its parts for reasons of public order, security and protection of public health. The adoption of said measures, as well as the suspension of said Agreement must be immediately conveyed to the other Party by diplomatic channels.

5.The competent authorities shall exchange through diplomatic channels the samples of the travel documents mentioned in this Agreement.

Any changes in the above mentioned travel documents must be immediately conveyed and sent to the other Party.

6.Any of the Parties may denounce the present Agreement three (3) months in advance through diplomatic channels.

I have the honor to communicate to Your Excellency the acceptance of the Philippine Government of your proposal. This reply Note and Your Excellency's abovementioned Note of 14 May 1997, shall constitute an Agreement and shall enter into force sixty (60) days after it is received by Your Excellency.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.