Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo 
AN ACT 
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS 
OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The bill seeks to increase the monthly pension and disability benefits of retirees of the 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 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. 
September 19, 2022
2:27 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
Introduced by Representative Roman T. Romulo 
AN ACT 
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS 
OF RETIREES OF 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 “Foreign Affairs Retirement and 
1 
Disability Benefits Act.” 
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Section 2.  Covered Retirees and Retirement Benefits. This Act shall apply to all retired 
4 
officers and employees of the DFA who: 
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a. served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
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b. are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service
7 
Insurance System (GSIS).
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They shall receive, during the residue of their natural life, an additional pension which 
10 
shall be the difference between their monthly pension and the highest monthly salary of an 
11 
incumbent officer or employee occupying the same or equivalent rank and subject to further 
12 
adjustment as provided under this Act. 
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This Act shall also apply prospectively to DFA officers and employees who retired prior 
1 
to the effectivity of this Act. 
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All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving in the 
4 
DFA but who have not met all the above-mentioned requirements shall instead be covered 
5 
by applicable benefits under the GSIS Act, as amended. 
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Section 3. Adjustment of Monthly Pension. The monthly pension benefits of all retirees 
8 
of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall, upon the effectivity of this Act, be 
9 
automatically adjusted to the existing rate, and any subsequent increase thereof, of the salary 
10 
grade of the rank they held upon their retirement. 
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Section 4. Additional Entitlements. All officers and employees covered by Section 2 of 
13 
this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same manner provided under 
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the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws. 
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Section 5. Exemption of Pension from Income Tax, Attachment, Levy, Garnishment. – 
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Any pension granted to a beneficiary under this Act shall not, wholly or partly, be subject to 
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income tax, attachment, execution, forfeiture, or retention under any legal or equitable 
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proceedings, nor shall any lien of any kind or under any consideration be imposed thereon. 
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Section 6.   Survivorship Benefits. In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel who 
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has met the requirements provided in Section 2, the following shall be entitled to receive the 
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adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or entitled to receive: (a) their 
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surviving spouse, during their lifetime, or until they remarry; and (b) their dependent children. 
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Said benefits shall be distributed or apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended. 
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Section 7. Appropriation and Funding Source. – The differential funding requirements 
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for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s savings 
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of the DFA. 
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Thereafter, the annual differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the adjusted 
1 
monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included 
2 
in the General Appropriations Act annually, to be sourced from the DFA’s annual consular 
3 
income as a percentage thereof. 
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Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days after the 
6 
effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
7 
implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government agencies. 
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Section 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and 
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effect. 
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Section 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and 
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regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
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accordingly. 
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Section 11. Effectivity Clause. – Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act 
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shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette. 
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Approved,