THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
L .. , 
s. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The recent international tides stress the coming into reality of globalization, the need for 
a more efficient, and effective management of OUT country’s foreign relations. Thus, the exigency 
to respond to a variety of international issues and at the same time, ensuring that our national 
interests are best protected and promoted. 
Foreign relations is a dynamic system that must respond to the needs of our times. 
This readily means that our laws should continuously undergo the process of evolution, which 
are refining and re-tuning to the fast-growing needs of our people. Therefore, amendments both 
to the spirit and intent of the Foreign Service Act of 1991 are fitting thing to consider. 
This bill proposes an omnibus amendment to the Foreign Service Act of 1991 in order to 
improve the quality of the diplomatic service. We believe that this can be done by ensuring the 
employment of only “the cream of the crop’’ in the Foreign Affairs. To put this objective into 
action, we propose to provide a better compensation package to our diplomats. Amendments will 
also include proposal for reorganization of the structure of the Department of Foreign Affairs to 
enable it to respond to the arduous assignments for the conduct of our foreign relations. Among 
others, we have included in the bill are provisions for accountability, a more rationale structuring 
of the functional offices, recruitment system, promotion and assignments. 
Approval of this bill is earnestly called for 
MANUEL B. V 
Senator 


J 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR. JR. 
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7157, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE "FORE IGN SERVICE ACT Oh 1991" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
assembled: 
Congress 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be referred to as the "Revised Philippine Foreign Service Act of 
2004." 
SEC.2. Section 4, par. (a) and the last paragraph of the "Philippine Foreign Service Act 
of 1991" is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 4. Objective. - The main objective of this Act is to reorganize and strengthen the 
Philippine Foreign Service in order to: (a) Upgrade the qualifications of the Career Foreign 
Service Corps and THEIR STATUS AS CAREER EXECUTIVE SERVICE OFFICERS 
CAREER, and thereby enable its officers and employees to serve effectively the interests of the 
Republic of the Philippines abroad; 
In pursuance of the foregoing -objective, the principle of nondiscrimination with respect 
to sex, creed, language, AND ethnic [identity] ORIGINS [and religion] shall be strictly enforced. 
SEC. 3. Section 5, paragraph (m) of the same Act is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. - when used in this Act, the term: 
Paragraphs (a) to (1) are retained as is. 
: I  
(m) "Principal Office" - means the head of a consulate or consulate general AND 
OTHER OFFICES, BRANCH OR EXTENSION OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OR EMBASSY of the Philippines. 
SEC. 4. Section 6 of the same Act is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 6. Undersecretaries. - Upon the recommendation of the Secretary, the President shall 
appoint [three (3)] FOUR (4) undersecretaries to advise and assist in CONSULAR WORK AND 
HAS SERVED IN TIC DEPARTMENT FOR AT LEAST TWELVE (12) Y E A R S ,  MAY 
CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE FSSO RANK; 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE RANK AND TITLE SHALL BE COTERMINOUS 
WITH THE FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT. PERSONNEL APPOINTED IN ANY CAPCITY IN 
THE DEPARTMENT, BUT NOT TO A POSTION DEFINED UNDER SEC. 7 OF THIS ACT 
SHALL NOT BE GIVEN RANKS OR DESIGNATION SIMILAR TO CATEGORIES IN 
THAT SECTION, SHALL SERVE IN THE HOME SERVICE; SHALL NOT BE QUALIFIED 
FOR FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT, AND SHALL BE COTERMINOUS IN THE SERVICE 
WITH THE SECRETARY. 


SEC. 6 Section 9 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 9.Designations of Foreign Service Officers in the Home Office. - A chief of mission 
shall be designated by the Secretary as assistant secretary when assigned to head any of 
the [eleven (1 l)] FOURTEEN (14) principal offices of the Department. These offices are: 
Office of American Affairs; Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs; Office of European 
Affairs; Office of Middle East and African Affairs; Office of [Administration, Protocol 
and] Personnel AND ADMINISTRATIVE Services; Office of Fiscal Management; 
Office of ASEAN Affairs; Office of United Nations and International Organizations 
AFFAIRS; Office of Consular Affairs; Office of Legal Affairs; [and] Office of Policy 
Planning and Coordination; OFFICE OF PROTOCOL, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR 
GENERAL AND OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS 111. [The Director of the Foreign 
Service Institute shall be also have the title of assistant secretary.] TIE HEAD OF THE 
GENERAL AND THE EQUIVALENT RANK OF UNDERSECRETARY. 
FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE SHALL ALSO HAVE THE TITLE OF DIRECTOR- 
Chiefs of mission designated as assistant secretaries shall retain their items as 
chiefs of mission. The post of assistant secretary shall be reserved for career chiefs of 
mission: [Provided, however, That a11 incumbent assistant secretaries who are non-career 
officials shall continue to hold office until June 30, 1992 unless sooner removed by the 
President. Thereafter, only career officials may be appointed assistant secretaries.] 
A career minister may be designated as executive director of an office. 
A foreign service officer, class I, may be designated as division director. 
A foreign service officer, class 11, may be designated as assistant division director. 
A foreign service officer, class 111, may be designated as assistant division director. 
A foreign service officer, class IV, 
may be designated as assistant division director. 
A foreign service officer in any class, including chiefs of mission and career ministers, 
may be designated as special assistant to the Secretary or the 
A foreign service officer below the rank of the chief of mission may be designated as 
principal assistant in any office. 
Any assignment in the home office requiring a rank higher than the actual rank of 
the officer assigned shall be in an acting capacity. 
SEC. 7, The first paragraph of Section 14 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 14. Initial Appointment of Foreign Service Officers. - Consistent with the 
goal of developing and strengthening the Career Foreign Service Corps, recruitment into 
the ranks of foreign service officers shall be exclusively through open competitive 
examinations to determine the competence, fitness and aptitude of a candidates for 
foreign service work. No person shall be eligible for appointment as a foreign service 
officers unless he has passed these examinations and demonstrated IC1 his loyalty to the 
Republic of the Philippines. and adheres to the principles of the Constitution. The 
President shall extend initial appointments of foreign service officers exclusively from 
the list submitted by the Secretary containing the names of those who passed the 
examinations. Such initial appointments shall be to the lowest rank of foreign service 
officer, class IV. Any person who, after having passed the examinations, declines to 
accept an initial appointment as foreign service officer within a period of [one (1) year] 
THREE (3) YEARS from the date he was offered the appointment shall be required to 
take and pass examinations again in order to be eligible for an initial appointment. 
All appointments of foreign service officers shall be to a class and not to a 
particular post. 


SEC. 8. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 15, 
Internship Program. - [Immediately following their. appointments as 
foreign service officers, class IV, the individuals concerned shall undergo a one-year 
cadetship. The program shall consist of (6) months intensive classroom instructions on all 
aspects of consular and diplomatic duties and responsibilities. The next six (6) months 
shall be cover an on-the-job training.] SUCCESSFULLY EXAMINEES WHO JOIN 
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE APPOINTED AS CADET FOREIGN SERVICE 
OFFICERS, WITH THE SAMESALARY AS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 
SHALL CONSIST OFSIX (6) MONTHS INTENSIVE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONS 
ON ALL ASPECTS OF CONSULAR 
AND DIPLOMATIC 
DUTIES 
AND 
JOB TRAINING, WHICH WILL INCLUDE SERVING IN A DEPARTMENT OR 
POST EXTENSION OFFICE. ONLY UPON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF 
THE CADETSHIP PROGRAM WILL TIE EXAMINEE BE COMMISSIONED AS 
FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS N ,  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE 
ONE (1) YEAR CADETSHIP PRORGAM SHALL BE COUNTED IN THE THREE (3) 
YEARS HOME SERVICE PRIOR TO FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT, 
IV, AND UNDERGO A ONE-YEAR TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM 
RESPONSIBILITIES. THE NEXT SIX (6) MONTHS SHALL COVER THE ON-THE- 
SEC. 9. The second paragraph of Section 16 of the same Act is hereby deleted: 
Sec. 16. 
Ambassadorial Appointments, - The President shall nominate and, 
with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, appoint ambassador extraordinary 
and plenipotentiary to head embassies and permanent missions. All ambassadorial 
appointments shall be to a particular post only.1 
[Career foreign service officers may be appointed by the President as 
ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary and shall retain their items originally held 
prior to their appointments after their tour of duty as ambassadors extraordinary and 
plenipotentiary: Provided, however, That, during their tour of duty as ambassadors 
extraordinary and plenipotentiary, they shall not be promoted to the next higher rank.] 
SEC. 10. Section 19 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 19. Appointments. - The Secretary shall appoint all foreign service staff 
officers and foreign service staff employees in accordance with the Civil Service rules 
and regulations. Recruitment on the foreign service staff officer level shall be made 
through a competitive examination open to personnel of the Department and outsiders, 
the successfbl candidates of which shall be certified by the Board of Foreign Service 
Examinations for appointment by the Secretary. THE EXAMINATION MAY BE 
GIVEN ONCE EVERY SIX (6) MONTHS FROM WHICH A LIST OF SUCCESSFUL 
EXAMINEES SHALL FORM THE ROSTER OF CANDIDATES QUALIFIED AND 
CERTIFIIED BY THE BOARD OF FOREIGN SERVICE EXAMINATION FOR 
APPOINTMENT TO THE RANKS OF FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER. NO 
A POSITION OR PROMOTED TO A VACANCY IN THEFOREIGN SERVICE 
STAFF OFFICER LEVEL UNLESS HE/SHE HAS PASSED THE EXAMINATION 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER. 
PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OR OUTSIDER SHALL BE APPOINTED TO 
SEC. 11. Add a new Section 19 and to read as follows: 
SEC. 20. CADETSHP PROGRAN. - IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR 
APPOINTMENT AS FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF EMPLOYEE, THE INDIVIDUAL 
CONCERNED SHALL UNDERGO A CADETSHP PROGRAM WHICH SHALL BE 
ONE (1) YEAR FOR NEW ENTRANTS TO THE SERVICE AND SIX (6) MONTHS 
FOR PERSONNEL WHO ARE PROMOTED AND APPOINTED TO THE NEXT 
HIGHER RANKS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER LEVEL. 
SEC. 12. Section is hereby amended as Section 21 to read as follows: 


Sec. [20] 21. Civil Service Eligibility. - No person shall be appointed foreign 
service staff officer or foreign service staff employee unless he is a civil service eligible: 
Provided, however, That priority shall be given to those who passed the examinations for 
foreign service staff officers and foreign service staff employees conducted by the Board 
of Foreign Service Examinations. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE FOREIGN 
SERVICE STAFF OFFICER EXAMINATION SHALL HAVE EQUIVALENT CIVIL 
SERVICE ELIGIBILITY COMMENSURATE WITH THE RANK FOR WHICH THE 
EXAMINATION IS GIVEN: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE FOREIGN 
SERVICE STAFF OFFICERS OF FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF EMPLOYEES WHO 
PASS A PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION SUCH AS THE BAR OR THE BOARD 
OF ACCOUNTANCY OR SIMILAR EXAMINATION, SHALL BE DEEMED TO 
HAVE PASSED THE EXMAININATION FOR PROMOTION OF THE HIGHEST 
RANK OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER AND MAY BE PROMOTED 
ACCORDINGLY TO THE NEXT HIGHER RANKS. 
SEC. 13. Section 21 and 22 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 22 and 23 
respectively. 
SEC. 14. Section 23 is hereby amended and renumbered as Section 24 to read as follows: 
Sec. [23] 24. Compulsory Retirements. - All officers and employees of the 
Department who have reached the age of sixty-five (65) shall be compulsorily and 
automatically retired from the Service: Provided, however, That [all incumbent non- 
career chiefs of mission who are seventy (70) years old and above shall continue to hold 
office until .tune 30, 1992 unless sooner removed by the appointing authority,] 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICERS, WHO HAVE REACHED THE HIGHEST 
SLARY GRADE OF THE RANK MAY BE RETIRED WITH A PROMOTION TO 
FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 11 1. Non-career appointees who shall serve 
beyond the age of sixty-five (65) years shall be entitled to retirement benefits. 
SEC. 15. Section 23, Sec. 24 and Sec. 25 of the same Act are hereby renumbered as 
Section 24, Sec. 25 and Sec. 26, respectively. 
SEC. 16 Section 26 of the same Act is hereby amended and renumbered as Section 27 to read as 
follows: 
Sec. [26] 27. Foreign Service Officers Promotion List. - On the basis of 
recommendations made by the Board of Foreign Service Administration, the Secretary 
shall, from time to time, furnish the President with the names of career service officers 
qualified for appointment to the next higher class, from foreign service officer, class IV, 
to chief of mission, class 1. THE NAME, RANK, SENIORITY AND HOME OFFICE 
AND FOREIGN SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS OF CAREER FOREIGN SERVICE 
OFFICERS QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE NEXT HIGHER RANK OR 
CLASS SHALL BE INDICATED IN A LINEAL ROSTER PREPARED IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH SEC. 54 OF THIS ACT AND WHICH SHALL BE 
PUBLISHED ANNUALLY. THE LIST OF CAREER SERVICE OFFICERS 
RECOMMENDED FOR PROMOTION SHALL BE MADE PUBLCILY AVAILABLE 
BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT FOR APPROVAL. 
SEC. 17. Section 27 of the same Act is hereby amended and renumbered and Section 28 
to read as follows: 
Sec. [27.] 28. Cumulative Number of Years of Service in Each Class. - a. The 
Secretary may determine a standard performance based on merit for each class which 
must be met before any foreign service officer may become eligible for promotion to a 
higher class. All foreign service officers shall be required to render satisfactory service 
continuously for a minimum period of three (3) years in each class and for the total 
cumulative period computed at three (3) years for each class before they become eligible 
for promotion to the next higher class: 


Provided, however, That foreign service officers who have shown exceptional and 
meritorious qualities and have rendered exemplary service IN THE DEPARTMENT OR 
WHILE ON DETAIL OR SECONDMENT TO OTHER 
BRANCH OR AGENCIES 
OF THE GOVERNEMNT may be promoted to the next higher rank as an exception 
hereof. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT EACH AND EVERY PROMOTION BASED 
OPN EXCEPTIONAL, MERITOTIOUS AND EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE OR 
SERVICE 
SHALL BE SUBSTANTIALLY SUPPORTED AND SHALL MEET 
SCRUTINY 
AND 
BE 
JUSTIFIED 
BEFORE 
THE 
COMMISSION 
ON 
APPOINTMENTS. 
SEC. 18. Section 28 and Sec. 29 of the same Act are hereby amended and renumbered as 
ISec. 29 and 30, respectively 
SEC. 19. Section 30 of the same Act is hereby amended and renumbered as Sec. 3 1 to 
read as follows: 
Sec, [30] 3 1. Lateral Entry.-- xxx 
(a) xxx 
(b) xxx 
[(c) His reappointment shall be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments; and] 
[(d)] (e) The rank to which he is being reappointed shall [not be higher] BE ONE RANK 
BELOW than that of his successful co-examinees who have joined by the Service 
immediately after being offered the appointment. 
(0 HIS RE-APPOINTMENT SHALL NOT REQUIRE CONFIRMATION BY THE 
COMMISSION ON APPOINMENTS. PROVIDED THAT THE REAPPOINTMENT 
OF SUCCESSFUL EXAMINEES WHO OPTED FOR LATERAL ENTRY PRIOR TO 
THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT SHALL NOT REQUIRE CONFIRMATION BY 
THE COMMISSION ON 
APPOINMENTS. 
SEC. 20. A new Section 3 1 of the same act is hereby renumbered as Sec. 32. 
SEC. 21. Add a new Section 33 to read as follows: 
SEC. 33. PROMOTION TO AND WITHIN THE RANKS OF FOREIGN 
SERVICE STAFF OFFICER SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SEC. 19 OF THIS 
ACT. NO PERSONNEL MAY BE PROMOTED TO ANY OF THE RANK OF 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER UNLESS HE/SHE PASSED THE OPEN 
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR THAT RANK. 
SERVICE STAFF OFFICER. - PROMOTlON TO THE RANKS OF FOREIGN 
SEC. 22. Section 32 of the same Act is renumbered as Section 34 and is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
Sec. [32.] 34. Senior Staff Officers. - Personnel who have attained the highest 
rank in the staff service and have rendered service in that position continuously for a 
period of five (5) yews and a cumulative period totaling at least fifteen (1 5) years shall be 
eligible for promotion in salary and allowances 
equivalent to the maximum salary 
and allowances of foreign service officer, class: Provided, That they shall have 
consistently received a minimum efficiency rating of "very satisfactory" throughout those 
years of service. Thereafter, for every additional six (6) years of continuous very 
satisfactory service, they shall be eligible for promotion in salary and allowances 
equivalent to the minimum salary and allowances of the next higher class of foreign 
service officer UP TO THE HIGHEST SALARY GRADE OF A FOREIGN SERVICE 
OFFICER, CLASS 111. 


SEC. 23. Sec. 33, Sec. 34 and Sec. 35 are hereby renumbered as Sec. 35, 36 and 37, 
respectively. 
SEC. 24. Section 36 is renumbered as Section 38 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [36.] 38. Initial Service in the Home Office. - Except for non- career chiefs 
mission appointed by the President, no member of the Career Foreign Service Corps shall 
be assigned to any post abroad unless he has rendered continuous and satisfactory service 
in the home office for at least three (3) years [including 
undertaking 
an 
intensive 
familiarization program of Philippine conditions, urban and rural.] 
SEC. 25. A new section is added as Section 39 and shall read as follows: 
SEC. 39. FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT. - THERE SHALL BE A LINEAL 
ROSTER OF FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS, FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF 
OFFICERS AND FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF EMPLOYEES QUALIFIED FOR 
FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT WHICH MAY BE USED AS A PRIMARY BASIS FOR 
SELECTING THOSE WHO WILL BE ASSIGNED TO FOREIGN 
POSTS. PERSONNEL NOMINATED FOR FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT SHALL BE 
ISSUED THEIR ASSIGNMENT ORDERS AT LEAST THREE (3) MONTHS BEFORE 
THE ACTUAL EFFECTIVITY OF SUCH ASSIGNMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR 
ADEQUATE PERIOD OF FURTHER TRAINING AND PREPARATION FOR THE 
SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT. THE TRAVEL ORDER WILL BE ISSUED AT THE END 
A MINIMUM OF SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE IN THE THREE (3) MONTHS 
TRAINING PERIOD. 
SERVICE 
SEC. 26. Section 37 is renumbered as Section 40 and paragraph (d)of the same section is hereby 
to read as follows: 
Sec. 37. 
(a) xxx 
(b) xxX 
(d) 
Any foreign service officer, foreign service staff officer or employee on 
assignment abroad may be recalled to the home or dismissed from the Service at any time 
for unsatisfactory performance as certified by the head of post and approved by the 
Secretary upon recommendation of the Board of Foreign Service Administration; 
SUBJECT TO DUE PROCESS AND FULLINVESTIGATION 
OF 
ALLEGATION 
BEFORE SUCH RECALL OR DISMISSAL MAY BE EFFECTED TO 
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
RIGHTS 
OF 
THE 
RECALLEE ;and 
Tour of Duty. - Subject to the exigencies of the service: 
(c) xxx 
PROTECT 
(e) xxx. 
SEC. 27. Sec. 38, Sec. 39, Sec. 40, Sec. 41, Sec. 42, Sec. 43, Sec. 44, Sec. 45, Sec. 46, of the 
same Act are hereby renumbered as Sec. 41, Sec. 42, Sec. 43, Sec. 44, Sec. 45, Sec. 46, Sec. 47, 
Sec. 48 and Sec. 49 of this Act. 
SEC. 28. Section 47 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Section 50 and is hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
Sec. [47.] 50 Functions. - The Board shall conduct examinations and nominate to 
the President, through the Secretary, successful candidates for appointments as foreign 
service officers, class VI. It shall receive and screen applications for the foreign service 
officer (FSO) examinations. 
The Board shall prescribe the academic training and practical experiences 
required of candidates and determine the subjects on which the written and oral 
examinations shall be held. THE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE MUST INLCUDE AT 
LEAST EIGHTEEN (18) MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT IN ANY PUBLIC OR 


PRIVATE AGENCY OR ENTERPRISE OR SELF-EMPLOYMENT. The Board shall 
prepare, conduct and grade the written examinations and certify to the Secretary for oral 
examinations those candidates who obtained a general average of seventy-five percent 
(75%) or higher. ANY EXAMINEE WHO RECEIVES A COMPOSITE GRADE OF 
EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) OR HIGHER IN BOTH THE WRITTEN AND ORAL 
EXAMINATION SHALL BE CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY AS QUALIFIED 
FOR APPOINTMENT AS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS IV. In the 
preparation of questions and the grading of examination papers on any subject, the Board 
may request, through the secretary of the department Concerned, the assistance of any 
competent officer in the government service. THE BOARD SHALL ALSO CONDUCT 
THE EXAMINATION REQUIRED BY SEC. 29 OF THIS ACT FOR PROMOTION 
TO THE RANK OF CAREER MINISTER. THE BOARD MAY REQUEST A PUBLIC 
OR PRIVATE AGENCY TO PREPARE AND CONDUCT A PORTION OF THE 
EXAMINATION. ANY EXAMTNEE WHO OBTAINED A COMPOSITE GRADE OF 
TO THE SECRETARY AS QUALIFIED FOR PROMOTION TO THE RANK OF 
SOLE BASIS FOR PROMOTION. 
SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT (75%) IN THE EXAMINATION SHALL BE CERTIFIED 
CAREER MINISTER. THE- RESULT OF THE EXAMINATION SHALL BE THE 
SEC. 29. Section 48 is renumbered as Section 5 1 and is hereby amended to read as 20 follows: 
Sec. [48.] 5 1. Qualifications of Applicants. - Foreign service officer (FSO) 
examinations shall be open to those who are citizens and permanent residents of the 
Philippines. No person, of either sex, married to an alien may take the examinations 
without the written consent of the Secretary. Applicants must be holders of a four-year 
bachelor's degree, below thirty-six (36) years old, and 
physically 
and 
psychologically fit: Provided, That any person who is holding a position of responsibility 
in the Department or the Institute for at least two (2) years AND ANY PERSON 
HOLDING A POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY IN ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT 
AGENCY FOR AT LEAST FOUR (4) YEARS prior to the date of examination and who 
is otherwise qualified to take the examinations may do so, regardless of the maximum 
age limit prescribed. 
SEC. 30. Section 50 is renumbered as Section 53 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [50.] 53. Composition. - There shall be a Board of Foreign Service 
Administration to be composed of one (1) of the Undersecretaries, as Chairman, and the 
two (2) other Undersecretaries and the Assistant Secretaries of the different offices in the 
Department, including the Director of. the Institute, AND THE 
PRESIDENT 
AND 
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PERSONNEL 
ASSOCIATION, as FULL members. 
SEC. 31. Section 51 of the same Act is hereby renumbered as Sec. 54 and the second paragraph 
is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 51. 
Functions. - xxx 
The Board shall keep a lineal roster of all chiefs of mission, career ministers, 
foreign service officers, foreign service staff officers and foreign service staff employees 
strictly in the order of their ranks and seniority in each rank or class, based on their 
respective dates of appointment. In submitting recommendations for promotions to the 
President, through the Secretary, the Board shall base its recommendations on the 
efficiency ratings and seniority of the officers and employees concerned [ .] AND TAKE 
INTO CONSIDERATION MERITORIOUS OR EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE. THE 
BOARD SHALL KEEP A LINEAL ROSTER OF ALL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES 
INDICATING p m v r o u s  ASSIGNMENTS, ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND 
SERVICES 
WHICH 
SHALL 
STRICTLY 
BECOME 
THE 
BASIS 
FOR 
RECOMMENDATION FOR FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT. 


SEC. 32. Section 52 and 53 are hereby renumbered as Section 55 and 56 respectively. 
SEC. 33. Section 54 of the same Act is renumbered as Section 57 and the last paragraph is 
hereby amended to read as follows: 
Disciplinary Actions. - hi the investigation of administrative cases 
against officers and employees of the Department, the applicable rules and regulations 
and guidelines promulgated by the Civil Service Commission shall be strictly observed. 
Sec. 54. 
No officer or employee of the Department shall be subjected to disciplinary action 
or otherwise be removed or separated from the Service except for cause as provided for 
by law in accordance with requirements of due process. Disciplinary action may be taken 
against an officer or an employee only by the appropriate disciplinary authority, to wit: 
(a) 
xxx 
(b) 
xxx 
No officer or employee of the Department facing administrative charges shall be 
effectively suspended or otherwise prevented from exercising his normal duties and 
functions. unless so ordered by appropriate disciplinary authority on grounds provided 
for by law. 
In the interest of harnessing all the human resources in the Department, no officer 
or employee shall be "frozen" or "floated" or otherwise deprived of an assignment, duties 
or functions appropriate to his rank and position, except [for justifiable reasons.] ON 
GROUNDS PROVIDED FOR BY LAW. 
SEC. 34 Sec. 55, Sec. 56 and Sec. 57 are renumbred as Sec. 58, Sec. 59 and Sec. 60 of this Act, 
respectively. 
SEC. 35. Section 58 of the same Act is renumbered as Sec. 61 and is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
Sec. 58.0perations. - The Institute shall continue to operate under its own charter. 
The Director of the Institute shall be a senior career chief of mission with the title of 
assistant secretary. THE HEAD OF THE INSTITUTE SHALL BE A SENIOR CAREER 
EQUIVALENT RANK 
OF UNDERSECRETARY. 
CHIEF OF MISSION WITH THE TITLE OF 
DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND THE 
SEC. 36. Sec. 59 is hereby renumbered as Sec. 62 of this Act. . 
SEC. 37. Title IX, Section 60 of the same Act is hereby deleted and Section 61 is renumbered as 
Section 63: 
SEC: 38. Section 62 is renumbered as Section 64 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [62.] 64. Membership in the Government Service Insurance System.- All 
permanent officers and employees of the Service who are citizens of the Philippines shall 
have compulsory insurance coverage under the rules and regulations governing the same: 
Provided, however, 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 personnel in 
setting aside sufficient savings to take care 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. PROVIDED FURTHER, 
THAT THE PRESIDENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY 


SHALL ESTABLISH A FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSING SYSTEM, SIMILAR TO 
THAT ALREADY SET U p  FOR OTHER GOVERNEMENT AGENICES, TO 
ENABLE FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL TO MEET THE INCREASED BURDEN 
OF ESTABLISHING A HOME IN THE PHILIPPINES. 
SEC. 39. Section 63 is renumbered as Section 64 and paragraph (0 
of the same section is hereby 
amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [63.] 64 System of Allowances. - The President upon recommendation of the 
Secretary shall recommend to Congress the establishment of a system of allowances for foreign 
service personnel which shall be subject to periodic review and shall include the following: 
(a) xxx 
(b) xxx 
(c) xxx 
(d) xxx 
(e) xxx 
(f) Education allowance. - To compensate for additional educational cost incurred 
by officers and employees assigned abroad for legal dependent children not 
exceeding three (3) in number who are enrolled in the primary and elementary 
grades and high school [where free public education is absent;] 
SEC. 40. Section 64 is renumbered as Sec. 66 of this Act. 
SEC. 41. Section 65 is renumbered as Section 67 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [65.] 67. Living Quarters Allowance. - Commutable living quarters allowable 
shall be granted to officers [or] AND employees in the Service assigned abroad who are 
citizens of the Philippines. Such allowance may cover the rental or quarters including 
utilities, telephone and other maintenance expenses which may be revised as to amounts 
not more often than once a year with the approval of the President. 
On transfer from post, allowances shall cease at the end of the month following 
departure therefrom. Commutable living quarters allowance shall be granted at a per 
annum rate and shall be commuted and paid monthly beginning on the first day of the 
month following the arrival of the payee at his post of assignment: Provided, however, 
That the suitability of said quarters in each post shall be officially certified under oath by 
the chief of mission or princip'al officer: 
Provided, further, That the equivalent of said allowance corresponding to the first 
three (3) months following arrival at post shall be paid immediately upon its accrual. On 
transfer from post, allowances shall cease at the end of the month following departure 
therefrom. PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE RATE OF SUCH ALLOWANCE 
SHALL BE DETERMINED FROM THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE PERSONNEL 
FROM THE TIME OF DEPARTURE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT. 
No living quarters allowance shall be paid to persons occupying government- 
owned, furnished and heated quarters. No allowance shall be paid for quarters occupied 
free or under arrangements with other parties permitting direct or indirect gain to the 
claimant or his family. 
If a person entitled to living quarters allowance occupies quarters owned by him, 
his wife HUSBAND or children, he shall be entitled to a quarters allowance equal to fifty 
percent (50%) of the rental value of the quarters[.] BUT NOT TO EXCEED THE FULL 


RATE OF QUARTERS ALLOWANCE ALLOWABLE FOR THE RANK. The chief of 
mission or principal officer, as the case may be, jointly with the administrative officer 
shall certify under their official oaths the rental value on the face of the cash voucher, 
Lease contracts entered into by any officer or employee assigned abroad should 
contain a "Diplomatic Clause" whereby the tenant should he be reassigned to another 
post or is recalled to the home office. In case of detail of the officer or employee from his 
post of assignment (detail to the home office excluded), the quarters allowance shall 
cease to accrue from the first day of the month following the date of his departure unless 
it can be shown that the rented quarters used as his residence has been retained at the post 
of assignment and the rentals thereof are continued, but in no case shall the allowance 
continue beyond three (3) months without the prior approval of the Secretary. If the 
officer or employee own the quarters occupied by him, payment of the allowance shall 
cease immediately unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary. 
In case officer or employee is on home leave, the allowance shall cease to accrue 
from the first day of the month following the date of his departure from his post, unless it 
can be shown that the rented quarters used as residence has been retained at the post of 
assignment, but in no case shall the allowance continue beyond three (3) months. This 
regulation shall apply also in cases where extended leaves of absence are taken in any 
other emergency cases necessitating departure from the post of assignment unless 
otherwise authorized by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary. If the 
officer or employee owns the house occupied by him, the allowance shall be 
discontinued. 
IN NO CASE SHALL QUARTERS BE OFFICIALLY CERTIFIEDS AS 
SUITABLE UNLESS IT IS COMMENSURATE TO THE RANK OF THE OFFICER 
OR EMPLOYEE DEEMED SUITABLE ACCORDING TO THE SIZE OF THE 
QUARTERS AND THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS. IN CASE QUARTERS HAVE 
BEEN CERTIFIED BUT IS FOUND NOT COMMENSURATE TO THE RANK OF 
THE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE DEEMED SUITABLE ACCORDING TO THE SIZE 
OF THE QUARTERS AND THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS. IN ACSE QUARTERS 
HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BUT IS FOUND NOT COMMENSURATE TO THE RANK 
AND OCCUPANCY RATION THEREOF, THE CERTIFYING OFFICERS AND THE 
OCCUPANT OF THE QUARTERS SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO DISCIPLINARY 
ACTION. 
SEC. 42. Section 66 is renumbered as Section 68 of this Act. 
SEC . 43. Section 67 is renumbered as Section 69 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [67.] 69. Adjustment OF LIVING QUARTERS AND [in the] Overseas 
Allowance. - A permanent committee is hereby created, consisting of the Secretary as 
Chairman and, as members, the Secretary of Budget and Management and the Governor 
of the [Central Bank], BANGKO SENTWL NG PILIPINAS, with the objectives of 
compiling information on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and price levels 
abroad and of recommending periodic adjustments in the amount of LIVING 
QUARTERS ALLOWANCES AND overseas allowance to foreign service personnel of 
the National Government in each foreign service post: Provided, That official United 
Nations consumer indices shall be specifically considered in the committee's evaluation: 
Provided, further, That the adjustments shall be made not more often than once a year: 
Provided, furthermore, That the implementation shall be subject to the availability 
of funds. 
SEC. 44. Section 70 is renumbered as Sec. 72 of this Act. 
SEC. 45. Section 71 is renumbered as Sec. 73 and is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [71.] 73. Clothing Allowance. - Clothing allowance may be granted to 
officers and employees of the Service assigned abroad who are citizens of the Philippines 
not more often than once every twelve (12) months, the rates of which shall be 
determined by the Department. 


SEC. 46. Section 72 is renumbered as Sec. 74 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [72.] 74. Education Allowances. - Education allowance may be granted to 
officers and employees assigned abroad who are citizens of the Philippines of their legal 
dependent children not exceeding three (3) in number, who are enrolled in the primary, 
elementary and high school levels. [This grant shall not, however, be payable in respect 
to post where free educational is provided for.] 
The allowance may be granted as reimbursement of actual costs within such 
maximum amounts as shall be fixed by the Secretary and the Department of Budget and 
Management, with the approval of the President, per school year of each child [subject to 
presentation of receipts and other evidence of payment of matriculation, tuition, books 
and other school fees]. 
SEC. 48. Section 82 is renumbered as Section 81 and is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. [82.] 84. Foreign Service Compensation Plan. - The provisions of 
Executive Order No. 4-95 and P.D. No. 1285, both issued in 1978, as well as the: 
provisions of other acts, decrees, orders, letters of implementation, letters of instruction, 
and rules and regulations which are not inconsistent with the aforementioned order and 
decree shall apply with respect to the foreign service compensation plan of the 
Department. For purposes of implementing this title the Home office shall be considered 
a separate host [.I, WITH ALL PERSONNEL ENTITLED TO SUCH ALLOWANCES 
THE APPLICABILITY AND RATES OF RATES SHALL BE IMMEDIATELY 
DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY. 
SEC. 49. Section 83, Sec. 84, Sec. 85, Sec. 86, Sec. 87 and Sec. 88 of the same Act are hereby 
renumbered as Sec. 85, Sec. 86, Sec. 87, Sec. 88, Sec. 89, and Sec. 90.. 
Sec. 50. If any section or part of this Act shall be declared as unconstitutional or invalid by 
competent authority, the remaining sections or parts of this Act shall out be affected. 
SEC. 5 1. All other acts, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and regulations which are 
inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or accordingly. 
SEC 52. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the complete publication in the Official 
Gazette or in any two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.