NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 1293
72 SEP-7 P3 79
RtC£5VEDev
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS OF 
RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 7157 or the Philippine Foreign Service Act was enacted on 
September 19, 1991. Its main objective is to reorganize and strengthen the 
Philippine Foreign Service In order to, among others, provide suitable salaries, 
allowances and benefits that will attract personnel from all walks of Philippine life 
and to appoint persons to the highest positions in the Service solely on the basis of 
merit and demonstrated capability in the promotion of national interests1.
The same law 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 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 abroad2."
Unfortunately, after three decades, the aforementioned provision remained 
unimplemented as there exists no law to support the decent retirement scheme for 
our foreign service officers. It has come to our attention that our ambassadors and
1 Title I Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7157.
2 Title XI Insurance and Retirement System, Section 62 of RA No. 7157.
1


chiefs of mission, who were the faces and frontliners of Philippine diplomacy, had 
been receiving measly and unconscionable retirement packages.
Considering their important role and functions In Implementing the foreign 
policy based on Its three main pillars of preservation and enhancement of national 
security, promotion and attainment of economic security, and the protection of 
rights and promotion of the welfare and Interests of Filipinos overseas, it Is only 
fitting that the country accords them the dignity and respect for their many years of 
dedicated service to the nation. This measure aims to ensure appropriate and just 
pension and disability benefits for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) personnel 
in recognition of their professionalism and sacrifice in performing a myriad of 
sensitive and complex tasks overseas, especially during emergencies, wartime, and 
times of crises.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this legislation is hereby endorsed.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1293
')4 1 1' !»! 
e w-' i. 
~
72 SEP-7 P3 79
RHCEiVcC bV;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS OF 
RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Service
2 
Retirement Act."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Article XVI, Section 8 of the Constitution states
4 
that "the State shall from time to time review to upgrade the pensions and benefits
5 
due to retirees of both government and private sectors." It Is the policy of this bill to
6 
provide adequate and reasonable retirement program to the members of the
7 
Philippine Foreign Service and to implement Section 62 of Republic Act No. 7157 also
8 
known as the "Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991" which provides that "That the
9 
President upon recommendation of the Secretary may, as soon as practicable,
10 
submit for enactment by Congress a foreign affairs retirement and disability system,
11 
taking into account the difficulties of foreign service personnel in setting aside
12 
sufficient savings to take care their eventual retirement In the Philippines due to old
13 
age or some other disability, with the increased burden of establishing a home In the
14 
Philippines after completion of their tour of duty abroad."
15 
Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all retired officers and employees
16 
of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who:


1 
a) served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
2 
b) are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service
3 
Insurance System (GSIS).
4 
All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after
5 
serving in the DFA but who have not complied with ail the above mentioned
6 
requirements shall be covered by applicable benefits under the GSIS Act, as
7 
amended.
8 
Sec. 4. Adjustment of Monthly Pension. -The monthly pension benefits of all
9 
retirees of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall be automatically
10 
adjusted at the same rate as any future or subsequent increase in the salary grade
11 
of the same rank he or she retired from.
12 
Sec. 5. Additional Entitlements. - All officers and employees covered by
13 
Section 1 of this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits In the same
14 
manner provided under the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws.
15 
Sec. 6. Retroactive Effect. -The benefits under this Act shall also be granted
16 
to all retirees of the DFA who retired prior to the effectivity of this Act in the same
17 
manner provided in Section 2 hereof.
18 
Sec. 7. Survivorship Benefits. - In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel
19 
who has met the requirements provided in Section 1, the following shall be entitled
20 
to receive the adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or
21 
entitled to receive: (a) his or her surviving dependent spouse, during his or her
22 
lifetime, or until he or she remarries; and (b) dependent children. Said benefits shall
23 
be distributed or apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.
24 
Sec. 8. Appropriation and Funding Source. - The differential funding
25 
requirements for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any
26 
available savings of the DFA.
27 
Thereafter, the annual differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the
28 
adjusted monthly pension and other benefits to Implement the provisions of this Act
29 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act annually. The funding thereof
30 
shall be sourced from the DFA's annual consular income as a percentage thereof.
31 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within (90) days after the
32 
effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the


1 
effective implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government
2 
agencies.
3 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
4 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
5 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
6 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
7 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation
8 
contrary to or Inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
9 
modified, or amended accordingly.
10 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
11 
publication in the Official Gazette ov in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,