Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
F`irst Regular Session
HOUsE BILL No. 5947
Introduced by Representative ANTONIO `TONYPET' T. ALBANO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The bill seeks to increase the monthly pension and disability benefits
of retirees of the  Department  of Foreign Affairs  (DF`A)  to  be  at  par with  the
current pay scale enjoyed by those in active service.
Article XVI, Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that
"the State shall, from time to time, review to upgrade the pensions and other
benefits due to retirees of both the government and private sectors."
On  the  other  hand,  Section  62  of Republic  Act  No.  7157,  otherwise
known  as  the  Philippine  Foreign  Service Act  of  1991,  in  part provides  that
"the  President  upon  recommendation  of  the  Secretary  may,  as  soon  as
practicable,  submit  for enactment  by Congress  a foreign  affairs  retirement
and  disability system,  taking into  account the  difficulties of foreign  service
personnel  in  setting aside  sufficient  savings  to  take  care  of their  eventual
retirement   in   the   Philippines  due   to   old   age   or   some   other  disability,
with  the  increased  burden  of establishing  a home  in  the  Philippines  after
completion of their tour of duty abroad."
This is an important step to duly compensate Philippine foreign service
personnel  whose  invaluable  services  to  the  country  have  helped  advance
Philippine  interests,  improve  relations  with  other  countries,  and  protect
Filipinos globally.
Personnel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations,
sometimes risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries
of assignment.  They face  complex challenges of living in  foreign  lands with
different    cultures,    particularly    as    pioneers    in    opening    new    Posts.
They  are  primarily  responsible  for  responding  and  attending  immediately
to  Filipinos  in  distress  especially  during  critical  times,  disasters,  security
threats, and other crisis situations.


Their patriotism, integrity, professionalism and genuine concern for the
welfare of our kczbcibcigrcirrs here and abroad are sincere expressions of their
devotion to the country in achieving the aspirations of the Filipino people.
During  their  active  service,  the  retired  diplomats  have  demonstrated
their resilience as the Philippines' first line of representation in dealing with
a plethora of concerns. They have tirelessly sought opportunities to promote
Philippine trade, investment, tourism, and culture. They have been the voice
of the F`ilipino people overseas and have  spearheaded the one country team
approach   to   matters   of  national   interest.   Their   initiative,   competence,
professionalism   and   creativity   have   resulted   in   enduring   bilateral   and
multilateral     partnerships,      strategic      agreements     and      collaborative
engagements that continue to be harnessed for our people's benefits.
These  complex  responsibilities  require  DF`A  personnel  to  be  vigilant
and  ready  to  perfoml  their  duties  at  all  times.  As  specialists  in  the  arena
of diplomacy and citizen  services abroad,  F`oreign Service personnel deserve
to  be  honored  and  cared  for  in  their  retirement  through  an  adjustment
of monthly pension, and thereby allowing them to afford a decent living in the
face of inflation and rising cost of living.
It is the intention of this bill to provide both present and future retirees
of the foreign service support that is adequate and responsive to their needs,
and to reassure them that their dedication and loyalty to the F`ilipino people
is not forgotten.
In  view  of the  foregoing,  immediate  approval  of this  bill  is  earnestly
sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE BILL No. 594 7
Introduced by Representative ANTONIO `TONYPET' T. ALBANO
AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Be it enacted, bg the Serute cnd, House of Represeritatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
1                  Section  1.  Short Title. The Act shall be known as the "Foret.g7i A/Tcii.rs
2     Redremerd and Disahility Benef us Act."
3                 Section  2.   Covered  Retirees and  Retirement Benefits.  This Act  shall
4      apply to all retired officers and employees of the DFA who:
5                 a.        Served in the Department for at least  15 years; and
6                 b.        Are  eligible  to  receive  a monthly pension  from  the  Government
7                              Service Insurance system (GSIS).
8                 They shall receive, during the residue of their natural life, an additional
9     pension which shall be the difference between their monthly pension and the
10     highest  monthly  salary  of an  incumbent  officer or  employee  occupying  the
11      same or equivalent rank and subject to further adjustment as provided under
12      this Act.
13                 This Act  shall also  apply prospectively to  DFA  officers and  employees
14      who retired prior to the effectivity of this Act.
15                 All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after
16      serving   in   the   DFA   but   who   have   not   met   all   the   above   mentioned
17     requirements, shall instead be covered by applicable benefits under the GSIS
18     Act, asamended.
19                 Section  3.  Adjustment  of  Monthly  Pension.  The  monthly  pension
20      benefits of all retirees of the DF`A,  as provided under Republic Act No.  7157,
21      shall, upon the effectivity of this Act, be automatically adjusted to the existing
22     rate, and any subsequent increase thereof, of the salary grade of the rank they
23      held upon their retirement.


1                  Section 4. Additional Entitlements. All officers and employees covered
2      by Section 2  of this Act,  shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in
3     the  same  manner  provided  under  the  GSIS  Act,  as  amended,  and  other
4     relevantlaws.
5                 Section 5. Exemption of Pension from Income Tax, Attachment, Levy,
6     Garnishment. -Any pension granted to a beneficiary under this Act shall not,
7     wholly or partly, be subject to income tax, attachment, execution, forfeiture,
8     or retention under any legal or equitable proceedings,  nor shall any lien  of
9     any kind or under any consideration be imposed thereon.
10                  Section 6.    Survivorship Benefits. In case of death of a DF`A retiree or
11      personnel who has met the requirements provided in section 2, the following
12      shall be entitled to receive the adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased
13      was  receiving or entitled  to  receive:  (a)  their  surviving  spouse,  during  their
14     lifetime,  or until  they remarry;  and  (b)  their dependent children,  until  they
15      reach the age of majority. Said benefits shall be distributed or apportioned in
16      accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.
17                 Section   7.   Appropriation  and   Funding  Source.   -  The   differential
18      funding  requirements  for  the  initial  implementation  of  this  Act  shall  be
19     charged against the current year's savings of the DFA.
20                 Thereafter,  the  annual differential amount necessary for GSIS  to pay
21      the adjusted monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions
22      of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act annually, to be
23      sourced from the DFA's annual consular income as a percentage thereof.
24                 Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within  one hundred
25      eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary
26     rules   and   regulations   for   the   effective   implementation   of  this   Act,   in
27     coordination with relevant government agencies.
28                 Section 9. Separability clause. -If any provision of this Act is declared
29     invalid   or  unconstitutional,   the   remaining  provisions  not  affected   shall
30      continue to be in full force and effect.
31                  Section  10. Repealing Clause. -A111aws, decrees, executive orders, or
32     rules  and  regulations  contrary  to  or  inconsistent with  this  Act  are  hereby
33      repealed or modified accordingly.
34                 Section  11. Effectivity clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
35     days from its publication in the official Gazette.
Approved,