Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 708)
Republic Act No. 708 is officially known as the 'Foreign Service Act of the Philippines.'
The objectives include reorganizing and strengthening the Foreign Service to effectively serve Philippine interests abroad, ensuring personnel represent the Filipino people, providing merit-based promotions, guaranteeing job security during good behavior, improving selection and training, and codifying laws relating to the Foreign Service administration.
'Service' means the Foreign Service of the Philippines, which includes all officers and employees representing Philippine interests abroad under the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The President of the Philippines appoints ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
Personnel include Chiefs of Mission, Foreign Affairs Officers, Foreign Service staff officers and employees, Alien clerks and employees, and Consular agents and honorary consuls.
A Foreign Affairs Officer must be a Filipino citizen, at least 25 years old at appointment, pass competitive examinations prescribed by the Board of Foreign Service Examiners, and demonstrate loyalty to the Philippine Government and attachment to the Constitution.
The Board prepares, conducts, and grades examinations for Foreign Affairs Officers, nominates qualified candidates, and certifies those eligible for appointment.
Promotions for Foreign Affairs Officers are made by the President with Board recommendations based on merit. Staff officers and employees are promoted by the Secretary upon the Board's recommendation.
Separation may occur due to reaching age 65 (with possible extension), disloyalty, unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, or malfeasance after a hearing by the Board of the Foreign Service.
Yes, officers abroad may receive living quarters allowance, cost of living allowance, post allowance, representation allowance, clothing allowance, medical service benefits, and transportation for themselves and dependents.
Yes, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs may appoint alien clerks and employees at posts abroad upon recommendation from the chief of mission or principal officer.
The mandatory separation age is 65 years old, but the President may extend service for up to five years in case of emergency.
No, all supplemental allowances, per diems, benefits, and similar compensations received in consideration of their service are exempt from Philippine income tax, except for their basic salaries.
They receive representation and other allowances equivalent to the chief of mission but are not entitled to an increase in basic salary during their temporary assignment.