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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill N08 363.

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is a member of the community of nations. As such, “...it adopts the
generally accepted principles of international law as part of the laws of the land and adheres to
the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.” (Section
2, Article II, 1987 Philippine Constitution ). Furthermore, it pursues an independent foreign
policy and “ ... in its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be national
‘sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.” ( Section
7, Atticle II, 1987 Philippine Constitution).

The crafting and handling of our foreign relations fall within the jurisdictional ambit of the
Department of Foreign Affairs pursuant to Republic Act 7157, otherwise known as the
Philippine Foreign Service Act. The law also created the Career Foreign Service Corps whose
members represent our country abroad and provided for their compensation and other benefits
while on such assignment.

Due to technological advances and the ever-changing and evolving political, economic,
social and security environments, international relations have become more intricate and
‘complex necessitating the participation and involvement of technical personnel who are tasked to
project their respective departments, bureaus and agencies in the international community on
such varied subjects as trade, tourism, labor, agriculture and defense. These personnel are
designated as service attaches and are provided with assimilated diplomatic ranks while stationed
abroad. They receive their compensation, to include other allowances and benefits, from their
respective offices/agencies

However, information from some service attaches disclosed some variance insofar as the
allowances and other benefits which they receive vis-d-vis their counterparts in the Department
of Foreign Affairs. There is therefore a need to standardize the foreign allowances and other
benefits of the former by making the same at par with the latter based on their having the same


diplomatic ranks. This will motivate and serve as incentive to these service attaches in the
performance of their duties.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought and recommended.

RODOLFO G. fi AZON

Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No_ 3868

Introduced by Hon. Rodolfo G. Biazon

AN ACT
STANDARDAZING THE ALLOWANCES, PER DIEMS, TRAVEL EXPENSES AND
OTHER BENEFITS OF SERVICE ATTACHES FROM THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS,
BUREAUS AND AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT ON DETAIL ABROAD WITH
‘THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policy ~ It is the policy of the government to continuously
enhance professionalism in the Civil Service by , among others, standardizing the compensation
of its members thereby providing them with the incentive to exert their utmost in the
performance of their duties.

Sec. 2. Appointment of Service Attaches ~ The authority to appoint service attaches shall be
vested with the secretaries of the departments sending said officials on detail abroad.

Sec. 3. Assignment and Accreditation of Service Attaches — The assignment and accreditation of
personnel from other departments, bureaus and agencies of the government as service attaches to
‘embassies abroad shall have the prior clearance of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

See. 4. Allowances, Per diems, Travel Expenses and Other Benefits of Service Attaches
Stationed Abroad — While stationed abroad, service attaches shall receive, when applicable, the
same allowances, per diems, travel expenses and other benefits being received by their
counterparts from the Department of Foreign Affairs based on their assimilated diplomatic ranks.

See. 5. Responsibility of the Departments, Bureaus and Agencies of Service Attaches - The
departments, bureaus and agencies of the service attaches concerned shall be primarily
responsible for and be the source of the financial requirements in the implementation of this Act.


See. 6. Appropriations — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall
be included in the budget of the government agencies of the service attaches in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

See 7. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent
with or contrary to this Act are hereby considered repealed and/or amended accordingly.

See. 8. Separability Clause ~ If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

See. 9. Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15 ) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two ( 2) newspapers of national circulation

Approved,