Creation of an ASEAN Charter Task Force

June 18, 2008

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 229

CREATING THE INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE FOR THE SENATE CONCURRENCE ON THE RATIFICATION OF THE CHARTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN CHARTER)

WHEREAS, the ASEAN Charter was signed by Heads of States of the ASEAN Member States on 20 November 2007 in Singapore;

WHEREAS, Chapter XIII, Article 47 (2) of the ASEAN Charter provides that it shall be subject to ratification by all ASEAN Member States in accordance with their respective internal procedures;

WHEREAS, Chapter XIII, Article 47 (4) further provides that the Charter shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of ASEAN; acEHCD

WHEREAS, the ASEAN Charter has been determined to be a treaty and, therefore, requires Senate concurrence after executive ratification, pursuant to Executive Order No. 459, series of 1997, providing for the guidelines in the negotiation of international agreements and its ratification; DcCHTa

WHEREFORE, there is a need to create a Task Force composed of different government agencies, which will be tasked to put forward to the Senate the benefits, advantages and opportunities to the Philippines of an ASEAN Charter.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creation of an ASEAN Charter Task Force. — An ASEAN Charter Task Force (ACTF) is hereby created to act with resolve and urgency for the concurrence in the ratification of the Treaty by the Senate.

SECTION 2. Composition. — The Task Force shall be composed of representatives from the following government agencies:

1. Department of Foreign Affairs CAIaHS

2. Department of Trade and Industry

3. Department of Justice

4. Department of National Defense

5. Department of Labor and Employment

6. Office of the Solicitor General

7. National Economic and Development Authority

8. National Security Council

9. National Anti-Poverty Commission

Each government agency enumerated above shall have one (1) representative who shall at least be a third ranking official of the concerned agency. Other government offices, private groups or resource persons may be invited to join the Task Force as may be necessary. DCSTAH

The Department of Foreign Affairs shall act as the Task Force Chair.

SECTION 3. Functions. — The Task Force shall have, among others, the following functions:

1. To coordinate with other agencies of government the necessary information required for Senate concurrence in the ratification of the ASEAN Charter;

2. To organize the resource documents pertinent to the Senate hearings on the ASEAN Charter;

3. To attend the hearings on the ASEAN Charter in the Philippine Senate, and

4. To perform such other functions as may be directed by the President.

SECTION 4. Secretariat and Technical Support. — The Department of Foreign Affairs shall provide secretariat support to the Task Force. Each agency shall designate a team to act as technical arm of the Task Force. ICacDE

SECTION 5. Funding. — Financial requirements that may be needed by the Task Force shall be sourced out by the Department of Budget and Management from available funds of the concerned agencies forming part of the Task Force, subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. — This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 18th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.