Law Summary

Background and Purpose

• Explanation: This Executive Order establishes an Advisory and Administrative Support Office under the Office of the President, designed to aid the Philippine representative in the Military Bases Agreement Joint Committee.
• Key Definitions:
  • Military Bases Agreement Joint Committee: A consultative body between the Philippine and United States governments for addressing issues related to the Military Bases Agreement.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The Office is intended to provide necessary support for effective operations concerning the Military Bases Agreement.

Establishment of the Advisory and Administrative Support Office

• Explanation: The Office is created to support the Philippine representation in the Joint Committee.
• Key Definitions:
  • Advisory and Administrative Support Office: The newly established office responsible for providing support to the Philippine representative and deputies.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The Office shall be organized under the direction of the Philippine representative to the Joint Committee.

Organizational Structure

• Explanation: The Philippine representative has the authority to determine the structure of the Advisory and Administrative Support Office.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The representative is responsible for setting up the organizational framework.

Staffing and Compensation

• Explanation: The Advisory and Administrative Support Office will comprise officials and employees from relevant government ministries.
• Key Definitions:
  • Detail: Temporary assignment of personnel to the Advisory and Administrative Support Office.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • Staff members will be entitled to honoraria as per existing regulations.

Technical and Administrative Support

• Explanation: The Philippine representative may seek additional support from relevant government ministries.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The representative is authorized to enlist help from other ministries to fulfill the Office's requirements.

Location of the Office

• Explanation: The Advisory and Administrative Support Office will be stationed at a site in Metro Manila.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The site will be provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Funding and Budgetary Provisions

• Explanation: Initial funding for the Office will come from unexpended balances allocated to the Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Key Definitions:
  • Unexpended Balance: Remaining funds from previous allocations.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The Office must prepare a budget request for subsequent years to the Office of the Budget and Management.

Duration of the Office

• Explanation: The Office will exist as long as Section VII of the Memorandum of Agreement remains effective.
• Important Requirements/Procedures:
  • The Office’s existence is tied to the validity of the referenced Memorandum of Agreement.

Key Takeaways

• The Executive Order establishes an Advisory and Administrative Support Office to bolster the Philippine representation in the Military Bases Agreement Joint Committee.
• The Philippine representative has significant authority in organizing the Office and enlisting support from other ministries.
• Funding is initially sourced from prior allocations, with future budgets to be submitted for approval.
• The Office's duration is dependent on the continued effectiveness of the associated Memorandum of Agreement with the United States.