Robles of the Philesives
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quexow City

Y
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8413

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING CONCURRENCE TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND.
EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS

Among the powers of the President of the Philippines as Chief Executive of the Land is to
act on behalf of our country in its dealings and relations with other countries. As such, he
exercises the treaty-making power. This power is not, however, absolute because Article
7, 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 the Members of the
Senate."

The proposed measure seeks to reassert such power, mandating Senate concurrence to
international and executive agreements. The objective 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.

Wit prdr

Lups ¥MUND “LRAY’/ ILLAFUERTE, JR.



Rewble of the Philepines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

Y

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8423

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
MANDATING CONCURRENCE TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND
EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS

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

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the term:
(A) “International agreement’ refers to treaty, convention, act, general act, protocol, or
any agreement with an external entity, involving political issues or changes of
national policy and those involving international arrangements of a permanent
character; and

“Executive agreement” refers to an agreement embodying adjustment 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.

C)

SECTION 2. 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.

SECTION 3. Any international agreement or executive agreement or any part or
provision thereof, which conflicts with or is contrary to the Constitution shall have no
force and effect.

SECTION 4. Exceptions. — The following agreements do not need Senate Concurrence:

(A) Executive agreements concluded by the President in pursuance of an authorization
contained in prior treaty;

(8) 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 foreign ambassadors and recognize foreign
governments, and to authorize the sending of medical missions of humanitarian
reasons, provided that the same is effected through the Philippine National 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 Sections 5 and 6

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

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

SECTION 5. 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 only with the concurrence of
the Senate.

For this purpose, the President shall submit to the Senate for its concurrence, the
corresponding international agreement or document which provided for the sending by
the Philippine Government of military troops to another country for such purposes as
specified therein. The President shall keep the Senate regularly posted on the status of
such military contingents assigned abroad.

SECTION 6. 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.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,