EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
SENATE
2378
S. No.
S°nATr:.Sepl.6,2021
E-F LED
08:00 am
time:
G vcynsroEX
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS OF 
RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XVI, Section 8 of the Constitution mandates that "the State shall, from 
time to time, review to upgrade the pensions and other benefits due to retirees of 
both the government and private sectors."
Section 62 of Republic Act No. 7157 or the "Philippine Foreign Service Act of 
1991" provides that, "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."
Existing law recognizes the unique position of foreign service workers and 
officials who perform their mandated duties as public servants overseas. They take on 
sensitive diplomatic responsibilities of advancing the nation's interests in foreign lands, 
and respond to the varied concerns of millions of migrant Filipinos. They promote the 
welfare and ensure the safety of overseas workers amid threats of war, natural


calamities, economic recession, epidemics, and other crisis situations. Their valuable 
work in pursuing friendly and lasting international relations are enjoyed by all Filipinos 
in terms of enhanced national security, generation of jobs, entry of foreign 
investments, expanded trading, vibrant tourism sector, among many others.
This legislation proposes a foreign affairs retirement and disability system 
considering the complex nature of their work and hardships of overseas deployment. 
It also seeks to honor the hard work, professionalism and dedication of our foreign 
service personnel as the country's frontliners and flag-bearers in the international 
arena, through the institution of a decent and appropriate pension scheme.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is recommended.
RAMON/BONG REVILLA, 3R.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2378
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Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS OF 
RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Coverage. -This Act shall apply to all retired officers and employees
2 
oftheDFAwho;
3 
a) served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
4 
b) 
are eligible to receive a monthiy pension from the Government Service
5 
Insurance System (GSIS).
6 
All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving
7 
in the DFA but who have not complied with all the above mentioned requirements
8 
shail be covered by applicable benefits under the GSIS Act, as amended.
9 
Sec. 2. Adjustment of Monthly Pension. -The monthly pension benefits of all
10 
retirees of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall be automatically
11 
adjusted at the same rate as any future or subsequent increase in the salary grade of
12 
the same rank he or she retired from.
13 
Sec. 3. Additional Entitlements. -Ali officers and employees covered by Section
14 
1 of this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same manner
15 
provided under the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws.


1 
Sec. 4. Retroactive Effect -The benefits under this Act shall also be granted
2 
to all retirees of the DFA who retired prior to the effectivity of this Act in the same
3 
manner provided in Section 2 hereof.
4 
Sec. 5. Survivorship Benefits. - In case of death of a DFA retiree or personnel
5 
who has met the requirements provided in Section 1, the following shall be entitled to
6 
receive the adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving or entitled
7 
to receive: (a) his or her surviving dependent spouse, during his or her lifetime, or
8 
until he or she remarries; and (b) dependent children. Said benefits shall be distributed
9 
or apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended.
10 
Sec. 6. Appropriation and Funding Source. - The differential funding
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requirements for the initial implementation of this Act shall be sourced from any
12 
available savings of the DFA.
13 
Thereafter, the annual differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the
14 
adjusted monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act
15 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act annually. The funding thereof shall
16 
be sourced from the DFA's annual consular income as a percentage thereof.
17 
Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies and Regulations. - Within (90) days after the
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effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
19 
effective implementation of this Act, in coordination with relevant government
20 
agencies.
21 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
22 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
23 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
24 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,