RepublicofthePhilippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
-`      _.      h    ,~1
HOUSE BILL NO.
#ECEIVIEI
nATEf±CT    0  3  20
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IntrodiicedbyRepresenfativesFERDINANI}MARTING.R0muALDEZamd
MARIA RACHEL J. ARENAS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Thebillseekstoincreasethemonthlypensionanddisabilitybenefitsofretireesofthe
DepartmentofForeignAffalrs(DFA)tobeatparwiththecurrentpayscaleenjoyedbythose
in active service.
Article AVI,  Section 8 of the  1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that ''the State
shall, from time to tine, review to upgrade the pensions and other benefits due to retirees of
both the government and private sectors. "
On  the other liand,  Section 62  of Republic Act No.  7157, otherwise knoun  as the
Philippin§   Fore!.gn   Serviee   Act   of   1991.   ..n   part   provides   that   "the   President   upon
recommendation  of the  Secretary  may,  as  soon  as  practicable,  submit  for  enactment  by
Congressaforeignaffirsretirementanddisabhitysystem,tckingintoaccountthedifficulties
of foreign service persormel in setting aside sufficient savings to take care of their eventual
retirementinthePhilippinesduetooldageorsomeotherdisability,withtheincreasedburden
ofestablishingahomeinthePhilippinesaftercompletionoftheirtourofdutyabroad."
This  is  an  important  step  to  duly  compensate  Philippine  foreign  service persomel
whose invaluable services to the country have helped advance Philippine interests, improve
relationswithothercountries,andprotectFilipinosglobally.
Persormel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, sometines
risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries  of assignment.  They  face
8omplex challenges of living in foreign lands with different cultures, particularly as pioneers
mopeningnewPosts.Theyareprimarilyresponsibleforrespondingandattendingimmediately
to Filipinos in distress especially during critical tines, disasters, security threats, and other
crisis  situations.  Their  patriotism,  integrty,  professionalism  and  genuine  concern  for  the
welfare of our kebabc}j;aus 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 rctired diplomats have demonstrated their resilience as
thePhilippines'firstlineofrepresentationindealingwitliaplethoraofconcerns.Theyhave


tirelessly sought opportunities to promote Philippine trade, investment, tourism, and culture.
TheyhavebeenthevoiceoftheFilipinopeopleoverseasandhavespearheadedtheonecountry
teamapproachtomattersofnationalinterest.Theirinitiative,competence,professionalismand
creativityhaveresultedinenduringhilateralandmultilateralpartnerships,stratedcagreements
andcollaborativeengagementsthatcontinuetobehamessedforourpeople'sbenefits.
These  complex responsibilities require  DFA personnel  to  be  vidlant  and ready to
perform their duties at all times. As specialists in the arena of diplomacy and citizen services
abroad,  foreign  service persomel deserve to be honored and cared  for in their retirement
throuchanadjustmentofmonthlypension,andtherebyallowingthemtoaffordadecentliving
inthefaceofinflationandrisingcostofliving.
It is the intention of this bin 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.
Inviewoftheforegoing,immediateapprovalofthisbilliscamestlysou8ht.
RepTesewhtive
First District, Leyte
hathEL.ARE"As
Representative
Third District, Pangasinan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousHBILLivo.     5320
Introduced by Representatives FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDHZ and
MARIA RACHEL J. ARENAS
ANACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS
0F RETIREES 0F THE DEPARTRENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Rlepresentatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
1                    Section  1. Srfeorf TI.I/a  The Act shall be known as the "Foreign Affairs Retirement and
2      DisabilityBenefits Act."
3                   Section 2.  Covered Re#+ees ¢"d jRedreme"f Be"e/irg. This Act shall apply to all retired
4      officers andemployees of the DFA who:
5                          a.    served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
6                          b.   are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government service Insurance
7                                   System (GSIS).
8                    They shall receive, during the residue of their natural life, an additional pension which shall
9      be the difference between their monthly pension and the highest monthly salary of an incumbent
10      officer or employee occupying the same or equivalent rank and subject to further adjustment as
11       providedunderthisAct.
1


12                    This Act shall also apply prospectively to DFA officers and employees who retired prior to
13      the effectivity of this Act.
14                   All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving in the DFA
15      but who have not met all the above mentioned requirements, shall instead be covered by applicable
16       benefits under the GSIS Act, as amended.
17
18                   Section 3. 4djREJaerof a/%o"£te/ry pgusi.ore. The monthly pension benefits of all retirees
19      of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No, 7157, shall"pon the ef`±`ectivity of this Act, be
20      automatically adjusted to the existing rate, and any subsequent increase thereof, of the salary grade
21       of the rank they held upon their retirement.
22
23                    Section 4. 4ddi.fl.ore¢J Eftft.gJemeraJS. All officers and employees covered by section 2 of
24      this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same mamer provided under the
25      GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws.
2S                 Sectin s. Ecemption of pension f rom Incone Tone, Attachneut, Levy, Garndshnerth -
27      Any pension granted to  a beneficiary under this Act shall  not,  wholly or partly, be  subject to
28      income   tax,   attachment,   execution,   forfeiture,   or  retention   under  any   legal   or  equitable
29      proceedings. nor shall any lien of any kind or under any consideration be imposed thereon.
39
31                    Section 6.   S#".vorsftg.p BeneJJrs. In case of death of a DFA retiree or persormel who has
32      met the requirements provided in section 2, the following shall be entitled to receive the adjusted
33      retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or entitled to receive: (a) their surviving spouse,
34       during their lifetime, or until they remany; and (b) their dependent children. Said benefits shall be
35      distributed or apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.
36
37                  Section 7. 4prap".¢rfo# fl#d F#„dJ."g so#rce. -The differential funding requirements
38      for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's savings of the
39       DFA.
40
2


41                    Thereafter, the amual differential amount necessary for GSIs to pay the adjusted monthly
42      pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General
43      Appropriations  Act  amually,  to  be  sourced  from  the  DFA's  armunl  consular  income  as  a
44      percentage thereof.
4§
46                   Section 8. Jjxp/eme"fg.„g jR#/e"nd Regr/¢#.ous. -Within one hundred eighty ( 180) days
47      after the effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
48      implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government agencies.
49
50                    Section  9.  Seprm!dr./c.07  CJ¢use. -If any  provision of this  Act  is  declared  invalid  or
51       unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.
§2
53                    Section  10.  Repe¢/i.„g  CJfl!#se.  -All  laws,  decrees,  executive  orders,  or  rules  and
54       regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
55
56                    Section 11. E+Tec#w.OJ CJ¢#se. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
57      publication in the official Gazette.
58                   Approv ed,