Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS 
OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The bill seeks to increase the monthly pension and disability benefits of 
retirees of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to be at par with the current pay 
scale enjoyed by those in active service. 
Article XVI, Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine 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." 
On the other hand, Section 62 of Republic Act No. 7157, otherwise known as 
the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991, in part provides 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 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 
completion of their tour of duty abroad.” 
This is an important step to duly compensate Philippine foreign service 
personnel whose invaluable services to the country have helped advance Philippine 
interests, improve relations with other countries, and protect Filipinos globally. 
Personnel of the DFA are at the frontlines of Philippine foreign relations, 
sometimes risking their lives under dangerous conditions in their countries of 
assignment. They face complex challenges of living in foreign lands with different 
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cultures, particularly as pioneers in opening new Posts. They are primarily 
responsible for responding and attending immediately to Filipinos in distress 
especially during critical times, disasters, security threats, and other crisis 
situations. Their patriotism, integrity, professionalism and genuine concern for the 
welfare of our kababayans 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 retired diplomats have demonstrated their 
resilience as the Philippines’ first line of representation in dealing with a plethora of 
concerns. They have tirelessly sought opportunities to promote Philippine trade, 
investment, tourism, and culture. They have been the voice of the Filipino people 
overseas and have spearheaded the one country team approach to matters of national 
interest. Their initiative, competence, professionalism and creativity have resulted in 
enduring bilateral and multilateral partnerships, strategic agreements and 
collaborative engagements that continue to be harnessed for our people’s benefits. 
These complex responsibilities require DFA personnel to be vigilant and ready 
to perform their duties at all times. As specialists in the arena of diplomacy and 
citizen services abroad, foreign service personnel deserve to be honored and cared for 
in their retirement through an adjustment of monthly pension, and thereby allowing 
them to afford a decent living in the face of inflation and rising cost of living. 
It is the intention of this bill 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. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D. 
Representative  
1-PACMAN Partylist


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero 
AN ACT 
ADJUSTING THE MONTHLY PENSION AND DISABILITY BENEFITS 
OF RETIREES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. – The Act shall be known as the “Foreign Affairs 
Retirement and Disability Benefits Act.” 
SECTION 2.  COVERED RETIREES AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS. – This Act 
shall apply to all retired officers and employees of the DFA who: 
a. served in the Department for at least 15 years; and
b. are eligible to receive a monthly pension from the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS).
They shall receive, during the residue of their natural life, an additional pension 
which shall be the difference between their monthly pension and the highest monthly 
salary of an incumbent officer or employee occupying the same or equivalent rank 
and subject to further adjustment as provided under this Act. 
This Act shall also apply prospectively to DFA officers and employees who retired 
prior to the effectivity of this Act. 
All other officers and employees of the DFA who have also retired after serving in the 
DFA but who have not met all the above mentioned requirements, shall instead be 
covered by applicable benefits under the GSIS Act, as amended. 
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SECTION 3. ADJUSTMENT OF MONTHLY PENSION. – The monthly pension 
benefits of all retirees of the DFA, as provided under Republic Act No. 7157, shall, 
upon the effectivity of this Act, be automatically adjusted to the existing rate, and 
any subsequent increase thereof, of the salary grade of the rank they held upon their 
retirement. 
  
SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL ENTITLEMENTS. – All officers and employees covered 
by Section 2 of this Act, shall be eligible for disability and death benefits in the same 
manner provided under the GSIS Act, as amended, and other relevant laws. 
  
SECTION 5. EXEMPTION OF PENSION FROM INCOME TAX, ATTACHMENT, 
LEVY, GARNISHMENT. – Any pension granted to a beneficiary under this Act shall 
not, wholly or partly, be subject to income tax, attachment, execution, forfeiture, or 
retention under any legal or equitable proceedings, nor shall any lien of any kind or 
under any consideration be imposed thereon. 
  
SECTION 6. SURVIVORSHIP BENEFITS. In case of death of a DFA retiree or 
personnel who has met the requirements provided in Section 2, the following shall be 
entitled to receive the adjusted retirement benefits that the deceased was receiving 
or entitled to receive: (a) their surviving spouse, during their lifetime, or until they 
remarry; and (b) their dependent children. Said benefits shall be distributed or 
apportioned in accordance with the GSIS Act, as amended. 
  
SECTION 7. APPROPRIATION AND FUNDING SOURCE. – The differential 
funding requirements for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged 
against the current year’s savings of the DFA. 
  
Thereafter, the annual differential amount necessary for GSIS to pay the adjusted 
monthly pension and other benefits to implement the provisions of this Act shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act annually, to be sourced from the DFA’s 
annual consular income as a percentage thereof. 
  
SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – Within  one 
hundred eighty (180) days after the effectivity of this Act, DFA shall issue the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, in 
coordination with relevant government agencies. 
  
SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be 
in full force and effect. 
  
SECTION 10. REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, or rules 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 


 
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette. 
 
 
 Approved,