HAVING worked with President Fidel V. Ramos in the past as an adviser, I have written this column in the form of a memo to assist him in the coming talks with China on the South China Sea—to which President Duterte has named him as the Philippines’ special envoy.

After a brief impasse, wherein both China and the Philippines issued statements that appeared to close the door to negotiations (Beijing said there could be no talks if the Philippines brings the ruling of the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration to the table; Manila declared that the ruling will be central to any talks between the two governments), talks are again a high priority to both Manila and Beijing.