Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Sweden

January 22, 2018

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 081

RESOLUTION CONCURRING IN THE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN

 

WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, Article VII, Section 21, states: "No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate";

WHEREAS, the Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Sweden (Agreement) was signed on 15 October 2015 in Stockholm;

WHEREAS, the Agreement is similar to Social Security Agreements of the Philippines with other countries, and contains standard provisions that are consistent with International Labor Organization Convention No. 118 (Equality of Treatment) and Convention No. 157 (Maintenance of Social Security Rights);

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides for equality of treatment which entitles a covered person in one State, including his/her family members and survivors, to social security benefits under the same conditions as nationals of the other State;

WHEREAS, Article 26 of the Agreement provides that it shall enter into force on the first day of the fourth month following the month in which each Contracting State shall have received from the other Contracting State written notification that it has complied with all the requirements for the entry into force of the Agreement;

WHEREAS, the President of the Philippines ratified the Agreement on the 21st day of February 2017 and has submitted it to the Senate for concurrence, in accordance with the Constitution;

WHEREAS, in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on 7 December 2017, the following government agencies endorsed the concurrence to the ratification of the Agreement: AScHCD

1) Department of Foreign Affairs;

2) Department of Justice;

3) Department of Labor and Employment;

4) Social Security System;

5) Government Service Insurance System; and

6) Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Philippine Senate concur, as it hereby concurs, in the Philippine ratification of the Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Sweden.

Resolved, finally, That the President of the Philippines, may, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate, withdraw from the Agreement.

Adopted,

(SGD.) AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL IIIPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 22, 2018.

(SGD.) LUTGARDO B. BARBOSecretary of the Senate