S i:\ ENTEKNTil CONCiRKSS OF THE 
)
UKPl BLIC OF H IE  PHILIPPIN ES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1141
i T '
o( fhr^i'rrtri.Tr^
'16 SEP 13 P6:45
l< I « ,
InlrodMccd by Senator Antonio “ Sonny” Trillancs IV
AN AC I
( REA I INC A FOREIGN 
POLICY ADVISORY 
PI RPOSES
BOARD AND FOR OTHER
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 7 of the 1987 C onstitution states that it is the policy of the State to pursue an 
independent foreign policy which gives primacy to the protection of our national sovereignty and 
territorial integrity, and the promotion of our national interest and right to self-determination.
Undoubtedly, it is essential for an archipelagic state like the Philippines to have a strong, 
independent foreign policy which would enable the counti'y to protect and defend its sovereignty 
and national interest, and preserve its people and government's right to self-determination. The 
lecent victory of the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea arbitration case and the current 
Admmistiation s policy stance on national security and foreign relations, have strengthened the 
call for a more independent foreign policy.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been the sole source of foreign policy initiatives in 
the country. However, at this time when the countiy is facing various national .security i.ssucs and 
territorial disputes, it is important that we e.xplore these matters from various perspectives and 
dimensions. To institute an ellective and holistic foreign poficy, we have to invest not onfy in the 
capacity of the DFA, but we should also harness the countiy s qualified and capable bureaucracy.
It IS 111 this light that this proposed bill seeks the creation of an independent body under the OITice 
of the President to provide advice and recommendations on foreign policy formulations, and 
ensuie a system of checks and balances with the DFA, as the primary agency on matters relating 
to foreign relations. This shall be known as the Foreign Policy Advisory Board or *FPAB'.
It is hoped that thru the passage of this bill, we would be able to develop our own effective, 
holistic and truly independent long-term foreign policy system.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
I
c
ANTONIO “SONNY” F. T kiL L A N E S I\
Senator


SEN'EiN l EENTlI CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
R EPF BE 1C O F TH E P m U P P IN E S  
)
First Rc'^nlar Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
1141
e l  (hr > 'T rrt.irl
‘16 SEP 13 P6I45
RF(•« ) i
r?Y:
Introduced hy Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillancs IV
AN ACT
CREATING A FOREIGN 
POLICY ADVISORY BOARD AND 
FOR O TH ER 
PURPOSES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Be it enacted hy the Senate and the I louse of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION I. Declaration o f Policy.- As enshrined in Artiele 11, Section 7 of the 1987 
Constitution, it is the policy of the State to pursue an independent foreign policy which gives 
primacy to the protection of our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the promotion 
of our national interest and right to self-determination.
SEC. 2. DcEinition of Term s. - For purposes of this Act, the followings tenns shall
mean:
a. Foreign Policy- It refers to the course or principle of action employed by the 
Government in its interaction with other state and non-state actors;
b. DFA- It refers to the Department of Foreign Affairs; and
c. 
Board- It refers to the Foreign Policy Advi.sory Board or FPAB.
SEC. 3. Creation of an Advisory Board. -  There is hereby created an agency to be 
known as the Foreign Policy Advisory Board ( “FPAB ). FPAB shall be an independent, 
senior-level advisory body on foreign policy and shall have the same status as that of a national 
agency attached to the Office of the President.
SEC. 4. Purpose. - The FPAB is created for the purpose of providing a credible and 
continuous source of foreign policy advice, recommendation and/or insights for the President, 
as product of an independent data and intelligence gathering, discussion, consultation and 
assessment. The creation of this independent, senior advisory body is intended to be a part of 
the system of checks and balances on foreign policy formulation, with the DFA acting as its 
counterpart. Under this system, both the DFA and FPAB shall be the primary sources of foreign 
policy advice to the President. Tliis system would also ensure that foreign policy decisions 
and/or initiatives would be made by the President only after hearing and/or considering the


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
perspectives, inputs and/or wise counsel not only of our career foreign service officers but also 
of other senior-level leaders and advisers representing a wider array of backgrounds, 
experiences and/or perspectives.
SEC. 5. Composition o f the Advisory Board. - The Board, at its initial establishment, 
shall be composed of a chair and eight (8) members who shall possess the following 
qualifications:
a. Must be natural-bom citizens of the Philippines;
b. Must be at least forty (40) years of age at the time of his/lier appointment;
c. Must have previously served as a senior-level officer of the government and/or in 
the private sector, with at lease fifteen (15) years length of service and/or experience 
in a responsible position of leadership.
d. Must not have been a candidate for any elective position in any national and/or local 
elections, immediately preceding their appointment; and
e.
Must not hold any full-time government position or engaged in the full-time 
practice of any profession or in the active management or control of any business 
which in any way may be affected by the functions of their office, nor shall they be 
financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise 
or privilege granted by the government, any of its sub-divisions, agencies, or 
instrumentalities, including govemment-owned or controlled corjiorations or their 
subsidiaries during their tenure.
Among the members of the FPAB. at least two (2) should be former officers of the Arnied 
Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police with the rank of Brigadier or Chief 
Superintendent; two (2) others should be former senior diplomats of the country; while two (2) 
shall represent fomier Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). The remaining two (2) shall eome 
from the ranks of businessmen and professionals.
In the performance ot its mandate and its functions, the Board shall be supported by a 
Secretariat headed by an Executive Director with the rank, benefits, compensation and 
privileges equivalent to that on an Assistant Secretary and sueh number of staff officers and 
employees as may be deemed appropriate, organized into divisions, sections and/or units as the 
FPAB may specify in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Act.
SEC. 6. Term of Office. - The members shall be appointed by the President of the 
Republic of the Philippines to a fixed temi ot tour (4) years, subject only to one (1) 
reappointment, from a list ot nominees submitted by the Department of Foreign Affairs based 
on nominations made by the sectors they are supposed to represent. O f the first eight (8) 
members to be appointed by the President, four (4) shall serve an initial temi of two (2) years


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
while the rest will serve a full tenn of four (4) years; Provided, That if a member fails to 
complete his/her term, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only the unexpired 
portion of the vacated tenn whom hc/she succeeds: Provided finally. That such service of the 
unexpired portion shall not be counted as a tenn.
The members shall elect among themselves the chair of the advisory board. The Chair shall 
have the same rank and privileges of a Department Secretary while the members shall have the 
same rank and privileges of the Undersecretaries of a department.
SEC. 7. Powers and Functions. - The Board shall have the following powers and 
functions:
a. To define the priorities and strategic frameworks for the Philippine foreign policy;
b. To identify trends that affect our national security interests;
c. To assess global threats and opportunities and fonnulatc the appropriate responses 
and/or interventions to ensure that the interest of the country is always protected;
d. To review the effectivity and relevance of the existing Philippine foreign policy 
frameworks, plans and programs;
c. To provide advice and/or recommendations on foreign policy matters with respect 
to the tools and capacities of the Department;
f. 
To conduct continuing data and infonnation gathering as well as the review, 
discussion, analysis and assessment thereof and provide the necessary feedback to 
the President and other government offices, agencies and/or instrumentalities; and
g. To perform any and all other research functions and/or execute any project on issues 
as may be prescribed or requested by the President and/or other responsible 
government offices, agencies and/or instrumentalities.
SEC. 8. Meetings. - The Board shall meet at least once a month or upon the call of the 
Chair or majority of the members, as necessary during times of crisis. A majority of the 
members of the Board shall constitute a quorum to do business.
SEC. 9. Reporting. - The Board shall provide its recommendations to the President 
and/or the Department on a regular basis and whenever necessary. Further, the Board shall also 
submit to the President as well as the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Mouse of 
Representatives an annual report on its operations and accomplishments.
SEC. 10. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this 
act shall be included by the Department of Budget and Management in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA).


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
SEC. 11. Implementiiif; Rules and Rej>ulations. - The FPAB shall promulgate the 
necessary Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this 
Act.
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force 
and effect.
SEC. 13. Repealiiifi Clause. - All laws, c.xccutivc orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof, inconsistent with this Act arc hereby repealed, amended, modified aeeordingly. The 
provisions ot this Aet shall not be repealed, amended or modified, unless expressly so provided 
in subsequent general or speeial laws.
SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Aet shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the Official Ga/ette or in any two (2) newspaper of general circulation 
in the Philippines.
Approved.