Amending Executive Order No. 129, Entitled "Providing Rules and Regulations Governing Official Travel Abroad of Officers and Employees of the Government Both National and Local, Including Government Owned or Controlled Corporations and Prescribing Rates of Allowances and Other Expenses Therefor"

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 563

Amending Executive Order No. 129 on Rules and Regulations Governing Official Travel Abroad

- Approval of the President (Sec. 1)
• All official travels abroad, except those under Title I, require the President's approval.
• Heads of departments and bureaus must propose only urgent, necessary, and cost-effective trips that bring immediate benefit to the country. (Sec. 14)
• Covered purposes include attending conferences or seminars sponsored by foreign governments or international organizations, conducting examinations or investigations, and undertaking official missions that cannot be assigned to officials already abroad. (Sec. 14)

- Exceptions for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sec. 1)
• The Minister for Foreign Affairs can authorize travels without the President's approval for:
    • Assuming duties at a foreign service post (Sec. 14(a))
    • Conducting administrative and financial investigations involving foreign service officers and employees (Sec. 14(b))
    • Attending conferences or seminars sponsored by foreign governments or international organizations, not requiring the President's full powers, and servicing Philippine delegations (Sec. 14(c))

- Retroactive Authorization (Sec. 2)
• Travels made before this Order, which could have been authorized under the amended Section 14, are deemed duly authorized if made upon written instructions from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

- Inconsistent Orders Repealed or Modified (Sec. 3)
• All orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.

- Effectivity (Sec. 4)
• This Order takes effect upon approval.