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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 841 '

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine is a member of the community of nations. As such, “.....i¢ adopts the
generally accepted principles of international law as part of the laws of the land and adheres
to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom cooperation, and amity with all nations”
(Section 2, “Article II, 1987 Philippine Constitution). Furthermore, it pursues an independent
foreign policy and “.....in its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall
be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right 10 self:
determination” (Section 7, Article II, 1987 Philippine Constitution).

The crafting and handling of our foreign relations fall within the jurisdictional ambit
of the Department of Foreign Affairs pursuant to Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as
the Philippine Foreign Service Act. Said law also created the Career Foreign Service Corp
whose members represent our country abroad and provided for their compensation and other
benefits while on such assignment.

Due to technological advances and the ever-changing and evolving political,
economic, social and security environments, international relations have become more
intricate and complex. Thus, the participation and involvement of technical personnel who
are tasked to project their respective departments, bureaus and agencies in the international
community on such varied subjects as trade, tourism, labor, agriculture and defense has
become necessary. These personnel are designated as service attaches and are provided with
assimilated diplomatic ranks while stationed abroad. They receive their compensation, to
include allowances and benefits, from their respective offices or agencies.

However, the allowances and other benefits of these service attaches differ from those
of their counterparts in the Department of Foreign Affairs. There is therefore a need to
standardize the foreign allowances and other benefits of the former by making the same at par
with the latter based on their having the same diplomatic ranks. This will motivate and serve
as an incentive to these service attaches in the performance of their duties.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this proposed measure is earnestly sought. »
RO:

iO lef h- bom

Representative
Lone District. Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bil No. °4

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

——<+

AN ACT
STANDARDIZING THE ALLOWANCES, PER DIEMS, TRAVEL EXPENSES AND
OTHER BENEFITS OF SERVICE ATTACHES FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS,
BUREAUS AND AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT ON DETAIL ABROAD,
WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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

Section 1. ~ Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
continuously enhance and promote professionalism in the Civil Service. Toward this end, it
shall standardize the compensation of its civil servants thereby providing them with the
incentive to exert their utmost in the performance of their duties.

Sec. 2. Appointment of Service Auaches. ~ The authority to appoint service attaches
shall be vested with the Secretaries of the departments sending said officials on detail abroad.

Sec. 3. Assignment and Accreditation of Service Attaches. ~ The assignment and
accreditation of personnel from other departments, bureaus and agencies of the government
as service attaches 10 embassies shall have prior clearance from the Secretary of Foreign

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Sec. 4. Allowances, Per Diems, Travel Expenses and Other Benefits of Service
Attaches Stationed Abroad. ~ While stationed abroad, service attaches shall receive, when
applicable, the same allowances, per diems, travel expenses and other benefits being received
by their counterparts from the Department of Foreign Affairs on their assimilated diplomatic
ranks.

Sec. 5. Responsibility of the Departments. Bureaus and Agencies of Service Attaches
~ The departments, bureaus and agencies of the service attaches concerned shall be primarily
responsible for, and be the source of, financial requirements in the implementation of this
Act.


Sec. 6. Appropriations. ~ The amounts necessary to carry out the implementation off
this Act shall be included in the budgets of the departments, bureaus or agencies of the
service attaches in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into
law and thereafter.

See. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If, for any reason, any provision or part hereof is
declared invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and
effect

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly

See. 9. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,