OP, DFA to review international agreements
Updated April 20, 2017 – 12:00am
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MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte has signed memorandum circular No. 16, which gives the Office of the President (OP) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the authority to review international agreements and all other deals involving borrowings, guarantees and foreign grants.
Considering the massive and growing interest of foreign governments and investors in the country, Abella said the Office of the President deemed it appropriate to issue the circular to ensure the effective and efficient coordination among agencies.
The circular noted that President Duterte is the sole organ of the country’s foreign relations and the constitutionally assigned chief architect of its foreign policy.
It also cited the need to enhance the coordination between and among various departments and agencies in the negotiation and signing of international agreements, and all other agreements.
All heads of the departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, or ininstrumentalitiesf government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and state universities and colleges (SUCs), are hereby directed to coordinate with the DFA prior to the negotiation and signing of international agreements as defined under Executive Order 459, and/or the Department of Finance prior to the negotiation and signing of agreements covering borrowings, guarantees and foreign grants.
Prior to the negotiation or signing of a treaty or executive agreement, as well as agreements covering borrowings, guarantees and foreign grants, authoritization must be secured by the lead agency from the Office of the President unless the DFA or the DOF determines that the nature or scope of the agreement does not require such authorization from the OP.
The circular also directs all heads of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of government, including GOCCs and SUCs, to strictly observe and comply with the requirements of complete staff work before requesting for authorization.
To give the Office of the President sufficient time to evaluate and process the requests, the same should be submitted to the OP, through the DFA or the DOF, as the case may be, at least 10 working days before the desired date of issuance.
