REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 978

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List RepresentativesFranciscoashley L. Acedillo and
Gary C. Alejano

Explanatory Note

Among the powers of the President of the Philippines as the Chief Executive of the land, is to act
on behalf of our country in its dealing and relations with other countries. As such, he exercises
the treaty-making power. This power is not, however, absolute because Article VII, Section 21 of
the Constitution provides that, "No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective
unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate,"

‘The primary objective of the above-cited constitutional provision is to ensure that any
international commitment made by the President, whether under bilateral or multilateral
arrangements, does not go against our national security and interests, and that Philippine
sovereignty is at all times upheld.

This bill is, therefore, being introduced to re-assert the power and to discharge the responsibility
of the Legislature, acting through the Senate, as vested under the Constitution, to review any
international agreement providing for the deployment abroad of Filipino troops, whether for
peacekeeping missions or combat operations, and regardless of the size or number thereof.

The bill will also cover international agreements involving other forms of military assistance
such as military equipment and munitions which may be requested from the Philippines

On the other hand, the sending of medical missions to a war-torn country for humanitarian
reasons, whether composed of Philippine government personnel or private volunteer groups, is
not covered under the bill, provided the same is effected through the Philippine National Red
Cross and coordinated with the International Red Cross.

In light of the foregoing considerations, the immediate approval of this bill is camestly
requested.

- ALEJANO

FRANQ{SCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 978

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo and
Gary C. Alejano

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE CONCURRENCE OF THE SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES IN
ANY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR THE DEPLOYMENT.
ABROAD OF PHILIPPINE MILITARY TROOPS WHETHER FOR PEACEKEEPING
MISSIONS OR COMBAT OPERATIONS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VII, SECTION 21
OF THE CONSTITUTION

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

SECTION 1. Definition of terms. - The terms, as used in this Act, shall be understood
to mean-

(a) The term "international agreement” refers to a treaty, convention, act, general act,

protocol, or any agreement with an extemal entity, involving political issues or changes of
national policy and those involving international agreements of a permanent character; and

(b) The term "executive agreement" refers to an agreement embodying adjustments of
detail carrying out a law or a well-established national policy or tradition, or an agreement

involving arrangements of a more or less temporary nature.

SEC. 2. Concurrence. - No international agreement or executive agreement shall be

valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate.
SEC. 3. Declaration of Nullity. - Any intemational agreement or executive agreement
or any part of provisions thereof, which conflicts with or is contrary to the Constitution, shall

have no force and effect.

SEC. 4. Exceptions. - The following agreements do not need Senate concurrence:


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a, Executive agreements concluded by the President in pursuance of an authorization contained
in a prior treaty that was concurred by the Senate;
b. Executive agreements concluded by the President after prior Congressional authorization;
c. Executive agreements concluded by the President based on his exclusive powers, such as his
power to receive ambassadors and recognize foreign governments, and to authorize the sending
of medical missions for humanitarian reasons, provided that the same is effected through the
Philippine National Red Cross and coordinated with the International Red Cross; and
d, The acts of the President in his power as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, except when otherwise provided in Section 5 and 6.

All agreements negotiated by the President not covered by the foregoing shall be

confirmed by at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate.

SEC. 5. Authorization of the Deployment of Philippine Military Troops.- The
deployment or assignment of Philippine military troops to any foreign country whether for
peacekeeping missions or combat operations and regardless of the size or number thereof, can be
authorized by the President of the Philippines only with the concurrence of the Philippine Senate
in accordance with the provisions of Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution.

For this purpose, the President shall submit to the Senate for its concurrence, the
corresponding international agreement or document which provides for the sending by the
Philippine Government of military troops to another country for such purposes as specified
therein.

Upon concurrence by the Senate to any such international agreement involving the
deployment of Philippine military troops to another country, the President shall keep the Senate

regularly posted on the status of such military contingents assigned abroad.

SEC. 6. Authorization for the Provision of Any Other Forms of Military Assistance.-
The provisions of Section 5 hereof shall also apply to international agreements involving other
forms of military assistance such as military equipment and munitions which may be requested

from the Philippine Government.


SEC. 7. Repealing Clause.- If any part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the

remainder of the law, or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at

least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,