FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Foreign policy is the projection of our national policy into the world arena. We define our 
foreign policy interests in terms of protecting our national goals and aspiration in the community of 
nations. However, the changing times have made international relations a very complex arena. 
The core of our country’s foreign policy is in the areas of national security, economic 
diplomacy and the promotion of the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, which play crucial roles in 
the continued peace and prosperity of the country. However, recent international developments, 
particularly those in the regions, underscore the reality of globalization and the vital importance of 
effective management of the country’s external relations. Thus, we have to respond to a host of 
international and global issues while ensuring that our national interests are protected and our 
agenda promoted. 
In 1959, Congress sought to professionalize the diplomatic service by passing Republic Act 
No. 708. Subsequently, to further professionalize the diplomatic service, Congress passed Republic 
Act No. 7157 or the “Foreign Service Act of 1991.” As foreign relations is a dynamic system that must 
respond to the needs of the changing times, it is only but appropriate that the law should further 
undergo a continuing process of modification. 
As stated by the late Foreign Secretary Blas Ople: “Professionalism is the essence of a world- 
class foreign service and this description applies to all those appointed to all the posts in our foreign 
service regardless of whether they are considered career or political, and to all the thousands of 
personnel that belong to the support staffs in both the home office and the foreign posts of the 
Department.” Accordingly, this bill proposes omnibus amendments to RA 7157 to further 
professionalize and strengthen the career character of the diplomatic service by ensuring that only 
the most talented and most qualified are recruited to serve. The amendments will codify packages of 
benefits so that the diplomatic service will attract not just the best and the brightest, but also the most 
dedicated nationalist of the country. 
The proposed amendments will also provide for the 
reorganization of the structures of the Department of Foreign Affairs to enable it to meet the difficult 
and complex assignments of conducting foreign relations. Amendments also include provisions that 
would ensure assistance to Filipino Overseas Foreign Workers, documented or otherwise, from 
dedicated personnel and officers of the Department both here and abroad. 
In view of the foregoing consideration, the immediate approval of this bill earnestly sought. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
8 JUL 24 P 6  2 3  
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
AN ACT 
REORGANIZING AND MODERNIZING THE PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SERVICE, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7157, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE “PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1991,” PROVIDING THE NECESSARY 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by rhe Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines iii 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be referred to as the “Revised Philippine Foreign Service 
Act of 1991.” 
SEC. 2. Section 4 (a) and the last paragraph of the “Philippine Foreign Services 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 qualification of the Career Foreign Service Corps AND 
THEIR STATUS AS CAREER EXECUTIVE SERVICE OFFICERS, and thereby 
enable its officers and employment to serve effectively the interests of the 
Republic of the Philippines abroad; 
(b) 
XXX 
(c) 
xxx 
(d) 
XXX 
(e) 
XXX 
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(g) 
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(h) 
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(i) 
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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 (m) of the same Act is amended to read as foollows: 
Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. - When used in this Act, the term: 
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“Principal Office” - means the head of a consulate or consulate general AND 
SUCH 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: 
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Sec. 6. Undersecretaries. - Upon recommendation of the Secretary, the 
President shall appoint [three (3)J FOUR (4) undersecretaries to advise and 
assist the Secretary in the formulation and implementation of the Department 
objectives and policies, and to coordinate and oversee the operational activities 
of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 
The Secretary shall designate one (1) of the undersecretaries TO SERVE 
AS THE ACTING SECRETARY in his absence. 
SEC. 5. Section 8 of the same Act is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 8. Designation of Foreign Officers in the Foreign Service. - In the 
Service, foreign, service officers shall he commissioned as diplomatic or 
consular officers, or both, and all the official acts of these officers shall be 
performed under such commissions. Diplomatic and consular titles shall be 
coterminous with the assignment at the Post. 
A chief of mission shall be assigned as ambassador extraordinary and 
plenipotentiary to head a diplomatic mission, or as deputy head of mission or 
as consul to head a consular (establishement] POST. 
A career minister shall be assigned as [career minister] MINISTER, 
MINISTER-COUNSELOR OR COUNSELOR in a diplomatic mission or as 
consul general to head a consular [establishment] POST. 
A foreign service officer, class I, shall be assigned as first secretary 
mission or consular in a consular [establishment] POST. 
A foreign service officer, class 11, shall be assigned as second secretary 
in a diplomatic mission or consul in a consular [establishment] POST. 
A foreign service officer, class HI, shall be assigned as third secretary in 
a diplomatic mission or vice-consul in a consular [establishment] POST. 
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[A foreign service officer, class IV, shall be assigned as third secretary 
in a diplomatic mission or vice-consul in a consular establishment.] 
A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS IV, WHO HAS COMPLETED 
THE CADETSHIP PROGRAM AND THE MINIMUM THREE (3) YEARS OF 
HOME OFFICE SERVICE MAY BE ASSIGNED AS THIRD SECRETARY IN A 
DIPLOMATIC MISSION OR VICE-CONSUL IN A CONSULAR POST. 
In a diplomatic post where there is a consular section, foreign service 
officers may be designated as both diplomatic and consular officers. SENIOR 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICERS (FSSO), CLASS I, MAY BE GIVEN A 
BREVET RANK AND DESIGNATION OF VICE-CONSUL IN CONSULAR 
POST AND SHALL RECEIVE THE PAY AND ALLOWANCES OF THE FSSO 
RANK: PROVIDED, THAT A SENIOR FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER 
SO DESIGNATED HAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED CONSULAR WORK 
AND HAS SERVED IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR AT LEAST TWELVE (12) 
YEARS OF UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT 
TIHE RANK AND TITLE OF FSSO SHALL BE COTERMINOUS WITH THE 
YORKIGN ASSIGNMENT. 
A PERSONNEL APPOINTED IN ANY CAPACITY IN THE 
DEPARTMENT, BUT NOT TO A POSITION DEFINED UNDER SEC. 7 OF 
THIS ACT, SHALL NOT BE GIVEN RANKS OR DESIGNATION SIMILAR 
'TO THE CATEGORIES IN THAT SECTION, SHALL NOT BE QUALIFIED 
FOR FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT AND SHALL SERVE IN THE HOME OFFICE, 
AN13 HIS/HER TERM SHALL BE COTERMINOUS WITH THE SECRETARY. 
SEC. 6. Section 9 of the same Act is amended to read as follows: 
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Sec. 9. Designation 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)] FIFTEEN (15) principal offices 
of the Department. These offices are: Office of American Affairs; Office of 
Asia and Pacific Affairs; Office of European Afhirs; Office of Middle East and 
African Affairs; Office of [Administration, Protocol and] Personnel AND 
ADMINISTRATIVE Services; Office 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; OFFICE OF PROTOCOL, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, 
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND OFFICE OF MIGRANT AFFAIRS 
WORKERS. 
,. 
[The Director of the Foreign Service Institute shall also have the title of 
assistant secretary.] THE HEAD OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE 
SI-IALL ALSO IHAVE THE TITLE OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL AND THE 
EQUIVAL.ENT RANK OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY 
Chief of mission designated as assistance secretaries shall retain their 
items as chiefs of mission. The post of assistance secretah shall be reserved for 
career chiefs of mission[ :], [Provided, however, That all 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 officials 
may be appointed assistant secretaries] 
A career minister may be designared as executive director of an office. 
A foreign service officer, class I, may be designated as division director. 
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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 t o  the Secretary of the 
Undersecretary. 
A foreign service officer below the rank of 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. Section 14 of the same Act is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 14. Initial Appointment of Foreign 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 candidates for foreign service work. No person shall be eligible 
for appointment as a foreign service officer unless he passed these 
examinations and demonstrated 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 
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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 (l)] TWO (2) YEARS from the date he was 
offei-eered the appointment shall be required to take and pass the examinations 
again in order to be eligible for an initial appointment. 
SEC. 8. Section 15 of the same Acts 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 six (6) month 
intensive classroom instructions on all aspects of consular and diplomatic 
duties and responsibilities. The next six (6) months shall cover an on-the-job 
training.] SUCCESSFUL EXAMINEES WHO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT 
SHALL. BE APPOINTED AS CADET FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS WITH 
THE SAME SALARY AS A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS IV, AND 
.. 
SHALL UNDERGO A ONE-YEAR CADETSHIP ’ PROGRAM. 
THE 
PROGRAM 
SHALL 
CONSIST 
OF SIX 
(6) MONTHS 
INTENSIVE 
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTIONS ON ALL ASPECTS OF CONSULAR AND 
DIPLOMATIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 
THE NEXT SIX (6) 
MONTHS SHALL COVER AN ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, WHICH WILL 
INCLUDE SERVING IN A DEPARTMENT OR POST EXTENSION OFFICE 
AND MANDATORY SERVICE IN THE ASSISTANCE-TO-NATIONALS 
UNIT FOR A PERIOD OF SIX (6) MONTHS. ONLY UPON SATISFACTORY 
COMPLETION OF THE CADETSHIP PROGRAM WILL THE EXAMINEE BE 
COMMISSIONED AS FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS IV: PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, THAT THE ONE (1) YEAR CADETSHIP PROGRAM SHALL BE 
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COUNTED IN THE THREE (3) YEARS HOME SERVICE PRIOR To A 
FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT: PROVIDED, FINALLY; THAT ALL CADET 
OFFICERS AND APPOINTEES OF THE PRESIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO 
UNDERGO TI-IE FOLLOWING BEFORE ACTUALY DEPLOYMENT FOR A 
FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT; (A) FRONTLINE SERVICE AT THE OFFICE OF 
MIGRANT WORKERS AFFAIRS FOR AT LEAST SIX (6) MONTHS; AND (B) 
GENDER SENSITIVITY TMINING. 
SEC. 9. Section 19 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 19. Appointments. 
- The Secretary shall appoint all foreign 
service officers and foreign service staff employees in accordance with the 
Civil Service rules and regulations. Recruitment on the foreign service staff 
officer and level shall be made through a competitive examination open to 
personnel of the Department and outsiders, the successful 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 CERTIFIED BY THE BOARD OF FOREIGN SERVICE EXAMINATION 
FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE RANKS OF FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF 
OFFICER. NO PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OR PERSON NOT 
AFFILIATED OR CONNECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE 
APPOINTED TO A POSITION OR PROMOTED TO A VACANCY IN THE 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER LEVEL UNLESS HE/SHE HAS PASSED 
TI-IE FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER EXAMINATION. 
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AFTER SUCCESSFULLY PASSING THE FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF 
OFFICER EXAMINATION AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THEIR 
APPOINTMENT AS FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER OR FOREIGN 
SERVICE STAFF EMPLOYEE, THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED SHALL 
UNDERGO A CADETSHIP PROGRAM WHICH SI-IALL 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 SERVICES STAFF OFFICER LEVEL. 
SEC. 10. Section 20 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 20. Civil Service Eligibility. - No person shall be appointed 
rooreign 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 Examination[ .]: 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER 
EXAMINATION SHALL HAVE THE EQUIVALENT CIVIL SERVICE 
ELIGIBILITY COMMENSURATE WITH THE RANK FOR WHICH THE 
EXAMINATION IS GIVE: PROVIDED, FINALL K THAT FOREIGN SERVICE 
STAFF EMPLOYEES OR FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICERS OR 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE AT LEAST 
GRADUATED CUM DUDE OK WHO HAVE PASSED A PROFESSION-4L 
EXAMINATION SUCH AS THE PHILIPPINE BAR EXAMINATION OR THE 
BOARD EXAMINATION FOR MEDICAL DOCTORS AND ACCOUNTANTS, 
SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE PASSED THE EXAMINATION FOR 
PROMOTION TO TIHE HIGHEST RANK OF FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF 
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OFFICER TO THE HIGHEST RANK OF FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF 
OFFICER AND MAY BE PROMOTED ACCORDINGLY TO THE NEXT 
HIGHER RANKS. 
Sec. 11. Section 23 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 23. Compulsory Retirement. - 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 June 30, 1992 unless sooner removed 
by the appointing authority] FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICERS, WHO 
HAVE REACHED THE I-IIGHEST SALARY GRADE OF THE RANK MAY BE 
RETIRED WITH A PROMOTION TO FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, UP TO 
THE RANK OF FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER, CLASS 111. THERE SHALL BE 
NO TERM EXTENSION FOR RETIRING AMBASSADORS EXCEPT TO 
MAKE IT CO-TERMINOUS WITH THE TERM OF THE PRESIDENT WHO 
APPOINTED IiIM/I-IER AS SUCII. Non-career appointees who shall serve 
beyond the age of sixty-five (65) years shall not be entitled to retirement 
benefits. 
SEC. 12. Section 26 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 26. Foreign Services Officers Promotion List. - On the basis of 
recommendations made by the Board of Foreign Service administration, the 
Secretary shall,, from the time to time, furnish the President with the names of 
careei service officers, class IV, to chief of mission, class 1. THE NAME, 
RANK, SENIORITY AND HOME OFFICE AND FOREIGN SERVICE 
ASSIGNMENT OF CAREER FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS QUALIFIED 
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2s 
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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. 
TIHE LIST OF CAREER SERVICE OFFICERS RECOMMENDED FOR 
PROMOTION SHALL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE BEFORE THEY 
ARE SUBMITTED 'ro 
THE PRESIDENT FOR APPROVAL. 
Sec. 13. Sec. 27 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 27. Cumulative Number of Years of Service in Each Class. - The 
Secretary may determine a standard performance based on merit for each class 
which must be met before nay foreign service officer may become eligible for 
promotion to a higher class. All foreign service officers shall e 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, howeve]; That foreign service officers who have shown 
exceptional and meritorious qualities and have rendered exemplary service IN 
TI-IE DEPARTMENT OR WHILE ON DETAIL OR SECONDMENT TO 
OTHER BRANCH OR AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT may be promoted 
to the next higher rank as an exception hereofI.1: PROVlDED, FURTHEX, 
THAT 
EXEMPLARY 
SERVICE 
OR 
PERFORMANCE 
OF 
DUTIES 
RENDERED 
AS 
ASSISTANCE-TO-NATIONALS, 
ESPECIALLY 
TO 
OVERSEAS FOREIGN WORKERS, DOCUMENTED OR OTHERWISE, 
SHALL 
BE 
ONE 
OF 
THE 
CRITERIA 
FOR 
THE 
PROMOTION 
CONTEMPLATED IN THIS SECTION: PROVIDED, HNALL X THAT EACH 
AND EVERY PROMOTION' BASED ON EXCEPTIONAL, MERITORIOUS 
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AND 
EXEMPLARY 
PERFORMANCE 
OR 
SERVICE 
SHALL 
BE 
SUBS’I1ANTIALLY 
SUPPORTED 
AND 
JUSTIFIED 
BEFORE 
THE 
COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS, WHICH SHALL SCRUTINIZE THE 
PROMO’TION. 
ALL APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT IN THIS ACT 
MUST BE PUBLISHED TOGETHER WITH THE CREDENTIALS BEFORE 
THE APPOINTMENT PAPERS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION 
ON APPOINTMENTS FOR T I E  CONFIRMATION. 
PROMOTION TO THE RANKS OF FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF 
OFFICER SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 19 OF THIS ACT. 
NO PERSONNEL MAY BE PROMOTED TO ANY OF THE RANK OF 
FOREIGN SERVICE STAFF OFFICER UNLESS HE/SHE HAS PASSED THE 
OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR THAT RANK. 
SEC. 14. Section 30 of the same Act is hereby amended and renumbered as Sec. 31 to 
read as follows: 
Sec. 30. Lateral Entry - Lateral entry into the Career Foreign Service 
Corps shall be permitted for those individuals who have successfully passed at 
the written and oral examinations conducted by the Board of Foreign Service 
Examinations but at the lime when offered an appointment as foreign service 
officer, class IV, decided to join another government agency: Provided, 
however, That: 
(a) 
X X X  
(b) 
X X X  
(c) 
X X X  
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(d) 
The rank to which is being re-appointed shall [not be higher] BE ONE 
RANK BELOW than that of his successful co-examinees who have 
joined the Service immediately after being offered the appointment. 
SEC. 15. Section 32 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 32. Senior Staff Officer. - 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) years and a cumulative period totaling at 
least fifteen (15) years shall be eligible for promotion in salary and allowances 
equivalent to be minimum salary and allowances of foreign service officer, 
class IV: Provided, That they shall have continuously received a minimum 
efficiency rating of 'every satisfactory' throughout those years of service. 
Thereafter, for every additional [six (6)] FIVE (5) years of continuous 
very satisfactory service, AS CERTIFIED BY THE SECRETARY, they shall be 
eligible for promotion in 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. 16. Section 36 is hereby amended as to read as follows: 
Sec. 36. Initial Service in the Home Office. - Except for non-career 
chiefs of 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.] 
IN THE ISSUANCE OF A FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT, THERE SHALL 
BE A LINEAL ROSTER OF FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS, FOREIGN 
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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 SERVICE POSTS. PERSONNEL INOMINATED FOR FOREIGN 
ASSIGNMENT SHALL BE ISSUED THEIR 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. 
SEC. 17. Section 37 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 37. Tour of Duty. - Subject to the exigencies of the service: 
(a) 
X X X  
(b) 
X X X  
(c) 
xxx 
(d) 
Any foreign service officer, foreign service staff officer or employee on 
assignment abroad may be recalled to the home office or dismissed 
from the Service at any time for unsatisfactory performance SUCH AS 
PASSPORT 
FRAUD, 
CORRUPTION, 
MALTREATMENT 
AND 
MISTREATMENT OF OVERSEAS FOREIGN WORKERS, AND THE 
LIKE, 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 FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE 
ALLEGATION BEFORE SUCH RECALL OR DISMISSAL MAY BE 
EFFECTED 
TO 
PROTECT 
THE 
CONSTITUTIONAL 
AND 
ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS OF THE AFFECTED OFFICER OR 
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EMPLOYEE. 
A FULL INVESTIGATION ON A PARTICULAR CASE 
SHALL 
BE 
HEADED 
BY 
AN UNDERSECRETARY 
TO 
BE 
DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY. ALL INVESTIGATIONS MUST 
BE CONCLUDED WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS FROM THE DATE THE 
ALLEGATION SUPPORTING THE RECALL OR DISMISSAL, AS THE 
CASE MAY BE, WAS MADE AND THE UNDERSECRETARY SO 
DESIGNATED TO HANDLE TI-IE INVESTIGATION SNALL SUBMIT 
TO 'THE SECRETARY A WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT ON THE 
INVESTIGATION DURING THE TIME THAT THE INVESTIGATION 
IS PENDING. 
SEC. 18. Section 47 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 47. Functions. 
- The Board shall conduct examination and 
nominate to the President through the Secretary, successful candidates for 
appointments as foreign service officers, class IV. It shall receive and screen 
application 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 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 
percenr (75%) or higher[.]: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT 
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 OFFICE, CLASS 
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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. 
TI-IE BOARD SHALL ALSO CONDUCT ‘rm EXAMINATION 
REQUIRED BY SEC. 29 OF THIS ACT FOR PROMOTION TO TIHE RANK 
OF CAREER MINISTER. THE BOARD MAY REQUEST A PUBLIC OR 
PRIVATE AGENCY TO PREPARE AND CONDUCT A PORTION OF THE 
EXAMINATION AND EVALUATE THE GRADES OF THAT PORTION OF 
THE EXAMINATION. ANY EXAMINEE WHO OBTAINED A COMPOSITE 
GRADE OF SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT (75%) IN THE EXAMINATION 
SHALL BE CERTIFIED TO THE SECRETARY AS QUALIFIED FOR 
PROMOTION TO THE RANK CAREER MINISTER THE RESULT OF THE 
EXAMINATION SHALL BE THE SOLE BASIS FOR PROMOTION. 
SEC. 19. Section 50 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 50. 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) Undersecretaries and the Assistant Secretaries of 
the different offices in the Department, including the Director of the Institute, 
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION, as members. 
SEC. 20. Section 51 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 5 1. Functions. - X X X 
The Board shall keep a lineal roaster of all chiefs of mission, career 
minister, foreign service officers, foreign service staff officers and foreign 
service staff employees strictly in the order of their ranks and seniority in each 
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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 ALSO KEEP A LINEAL ROSTER OF ALL OFFICERS 
' AND 
EMPLOYEES 
INDICATING 
PREVIOUS 
ASSIGNMENTS, 
ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND SERVICES WHICH SHALL STRICTLY 
BECOME 
THE 
BASIS 
FOR 
RECOMMENDATION 
FOR 
FOREIGN 
ASSIGNMENT. 
SEC. 21. Section 54 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 54. Disciplinary Actions. - In the investigation of administrative 
cases against officers and employees of the Department, the applicable rules, 
regulations and guidelines promulgated by the Civil Service Commission shall 
be strictly observed. 
No officer of 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 and in accordance with requirements 
of due process. 
Disciplinary actions may be taken against an officer or an employee 
only by the appropriate disciplinary authority, to wit: 
(a) 
The President for all presidential appointees of the Department, 
upon the recommendation of the Secretary; and 
(b) 
The Secretary for all those appointed by him or by his 
predecessors. 
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No officer or employees of the Department facing administrative 
charges shall be effectively suspended or otherwise prevented from exercising 
his normal duties and functions unless so ordered by the 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 PROMOTION, an assignment, duties or functions appropriate to 
his rank and position, except for justifiable reasons[.], WHICH SHALL BE 
SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE. 
SEC. 22. Section 58 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 58. Operations. - 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 CHIEF OF MISSION WITH THE TITLE OF 
DIRECTOR-GENERAL 
AND 
THE 
EQUIVALENT 
RANT 
OF 
UNDERSECRETARY. 
SEC. 23. Section 62 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 62. 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] DIRECT THE SETTING UP OF a foreign affairs 
retirement and disability syste’m, taking into account the difficulties of foreign 


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service personnel in setting aside sufficient saving to take care of 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 
compleLion of their four of duty abroad[.]: PROYZDED, FURTPIER, THAT 
THE PRESIDENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY 
SHALL ESTABLISH A FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSING SYSTEM, SIMILAR 
TO THAT ALREADY SET UP IN OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, TO 
ENABLE FOREIGN SERVICE PERSONNEL TO MEET THE INCREASED 
BURDEN OF ESTABLISHING A HOME IN THE PHILIPPINES. 
SEC. 24. Section 63 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 63. System of Allowances. - The President upon recommendation 
of the Secretary shall [recommend to Congress the establishment of] 
ESTABLISH 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) 
X X X  
(f) 
Education Allowance - To compensate for addition 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.]. 
(g) 
xxx 
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(11) 
x x x 
SEC. 25. Section 65 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 65. Living Quarters Allowance. - Commutable living quarters 
allowance 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 which may be revised as the 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 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 the said 
quarters in each post shall be officially certified under oath by the chief of 
mission or principal officer: Provided, f i r t h ,  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, FINALLE 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, 
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If a person entitled to living quarters allowances occupies quarters by 
him/HER, his/HER [wife] SPOUSE, or children, he shall be entitled to a 
quarters allowance equal to fifty percent (50%) of the rental value of the 
quarters[.J 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 should 
contain a “Diplomatic Clause’’ whereby the tenant is not penalized for 
breaking the period of the contract 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 owns the quarters 
occupied by him, payment of the allowance shall cease immediately unless 
other wise authorized by the Secretary. 
In case an officer or employee is on home leave, the allowance shall 
cease to accrue form 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 be 
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allowance continue beyond three (3) months. This regulation shall apply also 
in cases when 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 CERTIFIED 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 AND OCCUPANCY RATION THEREOF, 
CERTIFYING OFFICERS AND THE OCCUPANT OF THE QUARTERS 
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION. 
Sec. 26. Section 67 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
SEC. 67. 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 the Budget and 
Management and the Governor of [Central Bank] THE BANGKO SENTRAL 
NG PILIPINAS, with the objectives of compiling information on foreign 
currency 
exchange 
rate 
fluctuations and price 
levels 
abroad and 
recommending periodic adjustments in the amount of LIVING QUARTERS 
ALLOWANCES AND overseas allowances to foreign service personnel of the 
National Government in each foreign service post: Provided, fizrther, That the 
adjustments shall be made not more often than once a year: Provicled, 
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fiirrhermore, That the implementation shall be subject to the availability of 
funds. 
SEC. 27. Section 71 is amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 71. Clothillg Allowance. - Clothing Allowaiice may be granted to 
officers and employees of the Service abroad who are citizens of the 
Philippines not more than often than once every [twelve (12)] SIX (6) months, 
the rates of which shall be determined by the Department. 
SEC. 28. Section 72 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 72. Education Allowance. - Education allowance may be granted 
to officers and employees assigned abroad who are citizens of the Philippines 
for 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’ education 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 for each child subject to presentation of receipts and other evidences of 
payment of matriculation, tuition, books and other school fees. 
SEC. 29. Section 82 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Sec. 82. 
Foreign Service Compensation Plan. - The provisions of 
Executive Order No. 495 and Presidential Decree no. 1285, both issued in 
1978, as well as provisions of other acts, decrees, orders, letters of 
implemenLations, letter of instruction, and rules and regulations which are not 
inconsistent with the aforementioned order and decree shall apply with 
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respect to the foreign service compensation plan of the Department. For 
purposes of implementing this title, the home office shall be considered a 
separate 
post[.], WITH 
ALL 
PERSONNEL 
ENTITLED 
TO 
SUCH 
ALLOWANCES THE APPLICABILITY AND RA'TES OF WHICH SHALL BE 
IMMEDIATELY DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY 
SEC. 30. 
Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions and 
provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still subsist and be given 
effect in their entirety. 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and 
administrative regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 32. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two national newspaper of general circulation. 
.. 
Approved, 
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