The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs

These vocabulary flashcards cover the constitutional basis, historical evolution, legal mandates, organizational structure, and strategic pillars of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Article II, Section 1 (1987 Constitution)

Declares that the Philippines is a democratic and republican State where sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

Article II, Section 2 (1987 Constitution)

States that the Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy and adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land.

Article II, Section 7 (1987 Constitution)

Mandates that the State shall pursue an independent foreign policy where the paramount consideration is national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.

Article II, Section 8 (1987 Constitution)

States that the Philippines adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory, consistent with the national interest.

Republic Act No. 9522

The law defining the archipelagic baselines of the Philippines and claiming sovereignty over the Kalayaan Island Group.

Presidential Decree 1596 s. 1978

The decree declaring the Kalayaan Island Group as part of the Philippine Territory.

Apolinario Mabini

The first secretary of the Department of Foreign Relations, Navy and Commerce, established on June 23, 1898.

Relaciones exteriores, Marina, y Commercio

The Spanish name for the Department of Foreign Relations, Navy and Commerce during the Revolutionary Period (1896-1906).

Hongkong Junta

The organization responsible for creating the first Philippine flag, securing foreign diplomatic relations, and arranging Aguinaldo's return to the Philippines.

Commonwealth Act 683

Legislation enacted on September 25, 1945, authorizing the President to organize the Office of Foreign Relations and employ American technical advisers.

Commonwealth Act 732

The act enacted on July 3, 1946, that created the Department of Foreign Affairs and granted the President authority to organize the Philippine Foreign Service.

Executive Order 18 (1946)

Dated September 16, 1946, it assigned the DFA responsibility for the coordination and execution of foreign policies and the conduct of foreign relations.

Republic Act No. 708

Also known as the Foreign Service Act of 1952, it was enacted to professionalize the diplomatic service through a merit-based system and competitive examinations for Foreign Affairs Officers.

Republic Act No. 7157

The Foreign Service Act of 1991, which mandated the implementation of the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy and reorganized the DFA.

Three Pillars of Philippine Foreign Policy

(1) Preserving National Security, (2) Promoting Economic Stability, and (3) Protecting the Rights of Filipinos Overseas.

DFA Mandate

To advise and assist the President in planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the total national effort in the field of foreign relations.

DFA Mission

To promote and protect Philippine interests in the global community.

DFA Vision

A resilient foreign service for a Strong Philippines.

DFA Core Values

Patriotism, Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence, and Service.

Foreign Service Posts (FSP)

The overseas offices of the DFA consisting of 67 Embassies (PE), 27 Consulates General (PCG), and 4 Missions (PM).

Permanent Missions

The four specific posts located in Geneva (PM and WTO), Jakarta (PM), and New York (PM).

Principal Offices of the Department

Regional and functional offices including American Affairs, Asia and Pacific Affairs, European Affairs, Middle East and African Affairs, ASEAN Affairs, and Consular Affairs among others.

One Country Team Approach (OCTA)

The framework under which the DFA works with 209 overseas offices from partner government agencies to implement foreign policy.