NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
^znai2
%L,i- (©fficp of ti)C ssjprri’taqj
■22 JUL 25 PI 24
SENATE
s. No. 829
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY 
BENEFITS OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Our Philippine diplomats have always been at the frontlines, to the extent that 
many have even risked their lives in the countries where they have been assigned. 
They are primarily responsible for assisting our kabahayan abroad, even responding to 
their needs during critical times and crises. They are also tasked to advance Philippine 
diplomatic relations through the three pillars of diplomacy, namely: (1) the 
preservation and enhancement of national security; (2) the promotion and attainment 
of economic security; and (3) the protection of rights and the promotion of the interest 
of all Filipinos overseas.
Cognizant of the complex responsibilities faced by our foreign service 
personnel, it is but fitting to provide them with decent benefits, most especially upon 
retirement, thus compensating them for their patriotism and the hard v/ork they have 
rendered throughout their career.
This bill thus seeks to adjust the monthly pension and disability benefits of 
retirees of the Department of Foreigii Affairs in order to provide them with adequate


support to afford a decent living, to be at par with the current pay scale enjoyed by 
those who are currently in active service.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
----p


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 829
o! tlit
72 JIL 25 P1 24
received BV;
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
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 Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Foreign Affairs
2 
Retirement and Disability Benefits Act of2022
3 
Sec. 2. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all retired officers and employees of
4 
the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who:
5 
(a) served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
6 
(b) are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service
7 
Insurance System (GSIS).
8 
All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving
9 
in the Department but who have not complied with all the above mentioned
10 
requirements shall be covered by applicable benefits under Republic Act No. 8291,
11 
otherwise known as the "Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Act of 1997", as
12 
amended.
13 
Sec. 3. Adjustment of Monthly Pension. - The monthly pension benefits of all
14 
retirees of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as
15 
the "Philippine Foreign Service Act ofl991"r shall be automatically adjusted at the same
16 
rate as any future or subsequent increase in the salary grade of the same rank they
17 
retired from.


1 
Sec. 4. Additional Entitlements. - All officers and employees covered by Section
2 
2 of this Act shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same manner
3 
provided under the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws.
4 
Sec. 5. Retroactive Effect. - The benefits under this Act shall also be granted to
5 
all retirees of the DFA who retired prior to the effectivity of this Act in the same
6 
manner provided in Section 2 hereof.
7 
Sec. 6. Survivorship Benefits. - In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel who
8 
has met the requirements provided in Section 2, the following shall be entitled to
9 
receive the adjusted retirement beneiits that the deceased was receiving or entitled to
10 
receive: (a) their surviving dependent spouse, during their lifetime, or until they
11 
remarry; and (b) dependent children. Said benefits shall be distributed or apportioned
12 
in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.
13 
Sec. 7. Appropriation and Funding Source. - The differential funding
14 
requirements for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any
15 
available savings of the DFA.
16 
Thereafter, the annual differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the
17 
adjusted monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act
18 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act annually, to be sourced possibly
19 
from the DFA/s annual consular income as a percentage thereof.
20 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after the
21 
effectivity of this Act, the DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
22 
effective implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government
23 
agencies.
24 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared
25 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise
26 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
27 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules and
28 
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
29 
modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 11. EJfectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
complete publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
3 
general circulation.
Approved,