Republic Of the Philippines
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousEB|LLNo.   5284
Date Filed: Se tember
Introduced by HON. GLONA G. LABADIABAD of the 2nd District of zamboanga Dd Norte
EXPLANATORY NOTH
The Pill  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 persormel 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  persormel  whose  invaluable
services to the country have helped advance Philippine interests, improve relations with other countries,
and protect Filipinos globally.
Persorme]  of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations,  sometimes risking their lives
under dangerous conditions in their countries of assignment.  They face complex challenges of living in
foreign lands with different cultures, particularly as pioneers  in opening new Posts.  They are primarily
responsible  for  responding  and  attending  immediately to  Filipinos  in  distress  especially  during  critical
times,  disasters,  security threats,  and  other crisis  situations.  Their patriotism,  integrity,  professionalism
and genuine concern for the welfare of our habczbcz)/cz77L5 here and abroad are sincere expressions of their
devotion to the country in achieving the aspirations of the Filipino people.
During their active  service, the retired diplomats have  demonstrated their resilience as the Philippines'
first   line   of  representation   in   dealing   with   a   plethora   of  concerns.   They   have   tirelessly   sought
opportunities to promote Philippine trade, investment, tourism, and culture. They have been the voice of
the Filipino people overseas and have spearheaded the one country team approach to matters of national
interest.  Their initiative,  competence,  professionalism  and creativity  have  resulted in enduring bilateral
and  multilateral  partnerships,  strategic  agreements  and  collaborative  engagements  that  continue  to  be
harnessed for our people's benefits.


These complex responsibilities require DFA personnel to be vigilant and ready to perform their duties at
all times. As specialists in the arena of diplomacy and citizen services abroad, foreign service personnel
deserve to be honored and cared for in their retirement through an adjustment of monthly pension, and
thereby allowing them to afford a decent living in the face of inflation and rising cost of living.
It is the intention of this bill to provide both present and future retirees of the foreign service support that
is adequate and responsive to their needs, and to reassure them that their dedication and loyalty to the
Filipino people is not forgotten.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic Of the Philippines
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
Date Filed: _September _. 2022
htrodrced by HON. GLONA G. LABADIABAD of the 2nd District of zamboanga Dd Norte
AN ACT
ADJUSTING TIIE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BHNEFITS
OF RETIREES OF THE DHPARTMHNT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
Section 1. Sftorf ri.fJe. The Act shall be known as the "Foreign Affairs Retirement and Disabihty
Benefits Act."
Section 2.   Covered Refl+t!es ¢#d Retr.rei"e„f Bc#e#ts. This Act shall apply to all retired officers
and employees of the DFA who:
a.    served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
b.   are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service Insurance System
(GSIS).
They shall receive, during the residue of their natural life, an additional pension which shall be the
difference  between  their  monthly  pension  and  the  highest  monthly  salary  of an  incumbent  officer  or
employee occupying the same or equivalent rank and subject to further adjustment as provided under this
Act.
This Act shall  also apply prospectively to DFA officers  and employees who retired prior to the
effectivity of this Act.
All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving in the DFA but
who have not met all the above-mentioned requirements, shall instead be covered by applicable benefits
under the GSIS Act, as amended.
Section 3. Adj"srmc#f a/ Mo#fwry Pt?Jar..o„.  The monthly pension benefits of all retirees of the
DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall, upon the effectivity of this Act, be automatically
adjusted to the existing rate, and any subsequent increase thereof, of the salary grade of the rank they held
upon their retirement.
SectJ.o" 4. ,4ddJ.fl.o#¢/ E"fl.I/eme„ts. All officers and employees covered by Section 2 of this Act,
shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same manner provided under the GSIS  Act, as
amended, and other relevant laws.


Sectrop f .  Exe`mpti2n. Of PerTion. from ln.co_::i.e Ten, Attachneut,  Levy, Garndshneut. -  Any
pension granted to  a beneficiary under this  Act  shall  not,  wholly  or  partly,  be  subject to  income  tax,
attachment, execution, forfeiture, or retention under any legal or equitable proceedings, nor shall any lien
of any kind or under any consideration be imposed thereon.
Section 6.   S#~itorwhj.p Benefts. In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel who has met the
requirements  provided  in  Section  2,  the  following  shall  be  entitled to  receive  the  adjusted  retirement
benefits that the deceased was  receiving  or entitled to receive:  (a) their  surviving spouse,  during their
lifetime,  or  until  they  remany;  and  (b)  their  dependent  children.  Said  benefits  shall  be  distributed  or
apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.
Section 7. 4ppxpH.¢fl.o„ ¢#d Fwmdfrog SokJce. - The differential funding requirements for the
initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's savings of the DFA.
Thereafter, the armunl differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the adjusted monthly pension
and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations
Act armually, to be sourced from the DFA's amual consular income as a percentage thereof.
Section 8. Jxp/eme#J..#g R#/eg ¢#d RcgriJ¢fl.our. -Within one hundred eighty (180) days after
the  effectivity  of  this  Act,  DFA   shall  issue  the  necessary  rules  and  regulations  for  the  effective
implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government agencies.
Section   9.   Seprrabj./try   CJ¢wfe.   -   If  any   provision   of  this   Act   is   declared   invalid   or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section  10.  R€pco/rfug  CJ¢wsc.  -  All  laws,  decrees,  executive  orders,  or  rules  and  regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 11. Ej7rect!.vz.ty C7¢#se. -This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days from its publication in
the Official Gazette.
Approved,