Guidelines for Negotiation and Ratification of Intl. Agreements

International Agreement: Any contract or understanding governed by international law between the Philippines and another government.
Treaties: International agreements requiring legislative concurrence after executive ratification.
Executive Agreements: Agreements similar to treaties but not requiring legislative approval.
Full Powers: Authority given by a Head of State or Government to a delegation head to bind the country.
National Interest: Benefits or prestige as defined by political or administrative leadership.
Provisional Effect: Temporary enforcement of an agreement pending fulfillment of domestic requirements.

Negotiation authorizations must be obtained from the President via the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Requests must be in writing, naming the delegation and outlining negotiation positions.
Full Powers and formal instructions are required for permanent international arrangements.

Issued by the President, possibly delegated to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Exceptions exist for the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic mission heads (for treaty text adoption), and accredited representatives to international conferences or organizations.

The Philippine negotiation panel’s composition is determined by the President upon recommendations from DFA and the lead agency.
Pre-negotiation meetings to establish negotiation parameters are mandatory.
No deviation from agreed parameters without prior consultation with panel members.

Treaties and executive agreements come into effect on complying with domestic procedures.
Provisional effect is only granted when there is a pressing national interest.
DFA oversees the provisional effect decision in consultation with relevant agencies.

Executive Agreements: Must be transmitted to DFA post-signing with agreement highlights and benefits.
DFA, upon endorsement, forwards agreements to the President for ratification and manages post-ratification procedures.
Treaties: Follow executive agreement procedures plus submission to the Senate for concurrence.
Certified copies and ratification instruments accompany submissions to the Senate.
The DFA acts on Senate concurrence to effect treaty enforcement.

DFA is responsible for notifying all relevant agencies about the entry into force of agreements.

DFA decides if an international agreement qualifies as a treaty or an executive agreement.

Invalidity of any part does not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions.

Contradictory orders, proclamations, and memoranda are repealed or modified accordingly.