Republic of the Plylippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress

First Regular Ses:
HOUSE BILL NO.1623

Introduced by Rep. Anthony R.T. Golez Jr. MD, MBAH

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Officials and employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs undergo a very
tiresome career as they are assigned abroad; leaving their home, family, and friends,
As such this representation finds it proper that officials and employees of the
Department of Foreign Affairs be provided ample compensation after they retire from
service.

The proposed law herein finds its basis in the Constitution, which states that:
“the State shall, from time to time, review to upgrade the pensions and benefits due
to retirees of both the government and private sectors” (Section 8, Article XVI, 1987
Constitution). Further, the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991 also recognizes the
hardships that employees and officers in the foreign service experience. The existing
laws remarks 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’
(Section 62, R.A. No. 7157).

This representation finds it fair and justified to improve the retirement benefits
of those who have rendered service in the Department of Finance. The sacrifice of
those who served rendered government service away from their motherland for
several years truly deserved a premium in their retirement benefits.

Passage of the proposed law is earnestly being prayed.

HON. ANTHONY R, OLEZ JR. MD, MBAH
‘Malasiit at Bayanihan Party List


‘Republic of the Philippines
House of |
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress

First Regular Ses:
HOUSE BILL No 1623

Introduced by Rep. Anthony R.T. Golez Jr. MD, MBAH

AN ACT IMPROVING THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. The Act shall be known as the "Improvement of Retirement Benefits
in the DFA Act."

Section 2. Coverage. All officials and employees who served the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) for at least fifteen (15) years and are qualified to receive a monthly
pension from the Government Service Insurance System shall be eligible for the
availment of the retirement benefits provided in the Act.

Said eligible officials and employees of the DFA shall receive, during the
residue of their natural life, an additional pension which shall be the difference
between their monthly pension and the highest monthly salary of an incumbent officer
or employee occupying the same or equivalent rank and subject to further adjustment
as provided under this Act.

This Act shall also apply prospectively to DFA officers and employees who
retired prior to the effectivity of this Act. All other officers and employees of the DFA
who have also retired after serving in the DFA but who have not met all the above-
mentioned requirements, shall instead be covered by applicable benefits under the
GSIS Act, as amended.

Section 3. Adjustment of Monthly Pension. The monthly pension benefits of all retirees
of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall upon the effectivity of this
Act, be automatically adjusted to the existing rate, and any subsequent increase
thereof, of the salary grade of the rank they held upon their retirement.

Section 4. Additional Entitlements. All officers and employees covered by section 2 of
this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same manner provided
under the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws.


Section 5. Exemption of Pension from Income Tax, Attachment, Levy, Garnishment. - Any
pension granted to a beneficiary under this Act shall not, wholly or partly, be subject
to income tax, attachment, execution, forfeiture, or retention under any legal or
equitable proceedings. nor shall any lien of any kind or under any consideration be
imposed thereon.

Section 6. Survivorship Benefits. In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel who has
met the requirements provided in section 2, the following shall be entitled to receive
the adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or entitled to receive:
(a) their surviving spouse, during their lifetime, or until they remarry; and (b) their
dependent children. Said benefits shall be distributed or apportioned in accordance
with the GSIS Act, as amended.

Section 7. Appropriation and Funding Source -The differential funding requirements for
the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's
savings of the DFA.

Thereafter, the annually differential amount necessary for GSIs to pay the
adjusted monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act
shalll be included in the General Appropriations Act annually, to be sourced from the
DFA's annual consular income as a percentage thereof.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within one hundred eighty (180) days
after the effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for
the effective impiementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government
agencies.

Section 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

Section 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 11. Enacting Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the official Gazette.

Approved,