WHEREAS, sound principles of organization require that the President be able to concentrate her attention upon larger and more important matters of governance;

WHEREAS, the multifarious functions and responsibilities of the President may be exercised and performed through members of the cabinet, save those which by law require personal presidential action;

WHEREAS, one area where delegation of authority may be effected without minimizing in any way its importance is in the matter of granting Agr ment;

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

SECTION 1. In addition to his powers and responsibilities defined under existing statutes, Vice President and concurrent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teofisto T. Guingona, Jr. is hereby authorized to directly act on and approve requests of foreign governments for the Agr ment of the Philippine Government to the nomination of their designated ambassador or chief of mission to the Republic of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. All executive orders and similar issuances and authorizations inconsistent with this Administrative Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of August in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand One.


By the President:
(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary