Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 732)
The primary purpose of Commonwealth Act No. 732 is to create the Department of Foreign Affairs and to authorize the President of the Philippines to organize this department and the foreign service of the Republic of the Philippines.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is under the supervision and control of the President of the Philippines.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs holds the executive authority over the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for the coordination and execution of the foreign policies of the Republic of the Philippines and the conduct of its foreign relations, along with other functions assigned by law or by the President relating to foreign relations.
The Act authorizes the President to organize and operate the Department of Foreign Affairs and the foreign service through an executive order, including fixing emoluments, privileges, and allowances of their officers and employees.
Both the Office of Foreign Relations and the Office of the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the United States are abolished and their properties, equipment, supplies, records, and funds are transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Act took effect on July 4, 1946.
The Act allows the President to use funds provided by the appropriation law for the organization and operation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the foreign service of the Republic of the Philippines.
Yes, the Department of Foreign Affairs can perform other functions assigned to it by law or by the President related to the conduct of foreign relations.
The President’s power to organize the Department of Foreign Affairs and its foreign service is authorized until Congress provides otherwise.