NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 2847
24 OCT-9 P4X0
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Introduced by Senator Francis “TOL” N. Tolentino
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL FOREIGN RELATIONS COUNCIL, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In our system of government, the President, being the head of state, is regarded as 
the sole organ and authority and the country's top diplomat when it comes to external or foreign 
nations. As the chief architect of foreign policy, the President acts as the country's mouthpiece 
with respect to international affairs. Hence, the President is vested with the authority to deal 
with foreign states and governments, extend or withhold recognition, maintain diplomatic 
relations, enter into treaties, and otherwise transact the business of foreign relations. In the 
realm of treaty-making, the President has the sole authority to negotiate with other states.1
However, to ensure a healthy system of checks and balances necessary in the nation's 
pursuit of political maturity and growth, the president's power is not absolute but is checked 
by the Constitution.2
Conversely, pertinent Sections of Article VII of the Constitution state that:
SECTION 16. The President shall nominate and, with the consent of 
the Commission on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive 
departments, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of 
the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers 
whose appointments are vested in him in this Constitution. He shall also 
appoint all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not 
otherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may be authorized by law 
to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of other officers 
lower in rank in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of 
departments, agencies, commissions, or boards.
1 Pimentel vs Executive Secretary, G.R. No. 158088, July 06, 2005
2 Pangilinan vs Cayetano, G.R. No. 238875, March 16, 2021.


SECTION 21. 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.
Moreover, Section 23 of Article VI of the Constitution also provides that:
SECTION 23. (1) The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses 
in joint session assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole power to 
declare the existence of a state of war.
(2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by 
law, authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions 
as it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a 
declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the 
Congress, such powers shall cease upon the next adjournment thereof.'
In line with the shared function of the executive and legislative in the field of foreign 
relations, this proposed measure seeks to create a National Foreign Relations Council to be 
composed of senior officials from the executive and the legislative branches of the government 
to serve as an advisory body to the President similar to the National Security Council which 
was created during the Quirino Administration through Executive Order (EO) No. 330, dated 
01 Juiy 1950 and reorganized by EO No. 115, series of 1986 by former President Corazon 
Aquino.
Considering the various challenges facing our country, it is high time that the executive 
and the legislative branches of government be united and have one voice in the field of foreign 
relations. To this representation, the creation of the National Foreign Relations Council will 
result in better and cohesive policies relative to the conduct of our foreign relations which will 
redound to the benefit of the Filipino people.
As such, approval of this Act is earnestly requested.
IS “TOL” N. TOLENTINO 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Third Regular Session
SENATE
s. No. 2847
4,L fjlj i ' 
1
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Introduced by Senator Francis “TOL” N. Tolentino
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL FOREIGN RELATIONS COUNCIL, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “National Foreign Relations
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Council”.
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Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In
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its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty,
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territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination. Towards this end, a
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national policy coordinating and advisory body on foreign relations is hereby created with the
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sole function of coordinating, formulating and advising the needed policies relative to the
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conduct of the country’s foreign relations.
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Sec. 3. Composition and Functions.- To effectively implement this policy, the National 
10 Foreign Relations Council is hereby created and shall be composed of the following:
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a. President as Chairperson:
b. Vice-President;
c. Senate President;
d. Speaker of the House of Representatives:
e. Chairperson, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;
f. Chairperson, House Committee on Foreign Affairs;
g. Secretary of Foreign Affairs;
h. Secretary of National Defense; and
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i. National Economic Development Authority Secretary
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The Councii shaii serve as an advisory body to the President and shaii be the lead
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agency of the government for coordination and formulation of policies, reiating to or with
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implications in the fieid of foreign reiations.
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Membership in the Councii of the members of the legislature shall be an extension of
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their iegisiative functions. Membership in the Council of the members of the Cabinet shaii be
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in an ex officio capacity.
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The Chairman and members of the Council who are government officials shall serve
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in the Council without any additional emoluments, allowances, or pay, by virtue of and in 
10 connection with the positions they have been eiected to or appointed to, as the case may be.
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Sec. 4. Meetings- The President shaii preside over the meetings of the Council.
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The Council shall meet at least once every quarter but may be convened by the
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President on special meetings as may be necessary. The members of the Councii shall be
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duly notified of any meeting in advance. The first meeting of the Council shall take place within
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one (1) month from the effectivity of this Act, at a time and piace to be designated by the
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President.
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Sec. 5. Secretariat. - The Councii shaii have a permanent Secretariat which shall be
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under the supervision and control of the Executive Director. The Executive Director shaii be
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assisted by a Deputy who, iike the Executive Director, shaii be appointed by, and serve at the
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pieasure of, the President. The Executive Director shaii have the same duties and priviieges
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of a department undersecretary. The Executive Director and the deputy shall be experts in the
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fieid of foreign reiations and shaii be a person of proven probity, honesty and integrity.
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The Executive Director shaii ensure that policies adopted by the Council are effectively
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and efficiently implemented:
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Sec. 6. Personnel. - In conjunction with the Secretary of the Department of Budget
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and Management, the Executive Director is hereby authorized to organize the Secretariat,
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prepare its plans, budget, staff and personnel: Provided, That the said budget and staffing
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pattern and the rules and regulations shall be effective only upon the approval of the President.
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Sec 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to impiement the provisions of this
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Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into
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law and thereafter.
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Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - In case any provision hereof is declared unconstitutional,
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the other provisions not so declared and affected shall remain in force and effect.
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Sec 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws and executive orders which are inconsistent with
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repeaied or amended accordingiy.


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Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
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the Official Gazette.
Approved,