TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JUL-2 P5:35
P. : '
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENT COMMISSION 
AGAINST CORRUPTION (NICAC), APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Good governance serves as the foundation for development. It ensures 
transparency, demands accountability, and upholds the rule of law across all levels of 
government. However, it cannot be denied that in the work to foster growth, there is 
also the perennial fight against systemic and endemic corruption which remains one 
of the most pervasive issues affecting the country's political, social, and economic 
progress, eroding public trust, and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable 
sectors of our society.
While the government's efforts to address corruption has made some inroads, 
much is still needed to be done. According to the 2024 Transparency International 
Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Philippines ranks 114th out of 180 countries, 
with a score of just 33 out of 100, reflecting a serious perceived level of public sector 
corruption.1 Moreover, in the 2020 Global Corruption Barometer, it was found that 
19% of Filipinos who used public services in the previous 12 months paid a bribe.2 
This underscores the challenges that the country is facing in implementing anti­
corruption measures, often attributable to political interference and weak enforcement 
mechanisms.
Indeed, the effects of corruption are far-reaching. It diverts public resources 
away from essential services, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure and
1 
Transparency 
International. 
Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 - 
Phiiippines.
https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024/index/phl (Accessed on 23 June 2025).
2 
Transparency 
International. 
Giobai Corruption Barometer 
2020 - 
Phiiippines.
https://www.transparency.org/en/gcb/asia/asia-2020/results/phl (Accessed on 23 June 2025).
Available at
Available at


into the pockets of unscrupulous government officials. It also discourages businesses 
from making substantial investments in the Philippines.
Recognizing the need to strengthen the anti-corruption framework in the 
Philippines, this bill creates the National Independent Commission Against Corruption 
(NICAC) as an attached agency of the Office of the Ombudsman. The NICAC is largely 
patterned after Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption which 
successfully eradicated syndicated corruption in Hong Kong and helped transform it 
into one of the most transparent and well-governed regions in Asia.
Under this measure, the NICAC would be the dedicated body tasked to 
implement and coordinate anti-corruption policies, conduct investigations, and 
promote transparency across all levels of government. A National Anti-Corruption Plan 
(NACP) would also be formulated to ensure a strategic and comprehensive approach 
to eliminating corruption.
Ultimately, the creation of NICAC would mark a significant step towards 
promoting integrity in public service and fostering a culture of accountability and 
transparency. With enhanced public confidence in the government's commitment to 
fighting corruption, the Philippines could also attract more foreign investments and 
improve its global reputation. Most importantly, beyond being an essential tool to stop 
corruption, the NICAC would be a long-term investment for the country's future and 
for the wellbeing of all Filipinos.
For these reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
joei^illanueva9k


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
25
-2 P5 35
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
50
Ri-
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENT COMMISSION 
AGAINST CORRUPTION (NICAC), APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National
2 
Independent Commission Against Corruption Act"
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to
4 
maintain honesty and integrity in public service and to take effective and efficient
5 
measures in the battle against graft and corruption. Towards this end, the State shall
6 
continuously institute reforms to ensure that graft and corruption is eliminated in all
7 
levels of the government.
8 
SEC. 3. Organization. - There is hereby created the National Independent
9 
Commission Against Corruption, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to
10 
implement and coordinate policies for the prevention, control, and ultimately, the
11 
elimination of graft and corrupt practices as defined under relevant laws at all levels
12 
of the government.
13 
The Commission shall be attached to the Office of the Ombudsman for policy
14 
coordination.
15 
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall
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have the following powers and functions:


1 
a) Formulate and implement a National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) and action
2 
agenda, and reinforce program strategies in accordance with the NACP;
3 
b) Examine the bidding, negotiation, execution, and implementation of public
4 
contracts in pursuit of the objectives of the NACP;
5 
c) Verify if the award of public works and supply contracts are conducted properly
6 
in accordance with the law, pursuant to the goals provided for in the NACP;
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d) Undertake a comprehensive audit, which shall include, but not be limited to,
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lifestyle checks on any public officer/employee;
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e) Endorse to the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate action findings of a
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prima fade case of violation of anti-corruption laws in the exercise of its powers
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under items (b) to (d) above, upon complaint by any person or motuproprio)
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f) Conduct sustained information and education drives aimed at preventing
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corruption and public misconduct;
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g) Organize specialized training of personnel of the government and representatives
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from the private sector and civil society in the prevention, investigation, and
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prosecution of graft and corrupt practices; and
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h) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of
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this Act.
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SEC. 5. National Anti-Corruption Rian. - Within ninety (90) days from the
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approval of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Office of the Ombudsman and
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to Congress a five (5)-year plan and study containing detailed policy proposals for the
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elimination of graft and corruption in all branches, offices, agencies, and
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instrumentalities of the government.
24 
The NACP shall also be disseminated to all government agencies.
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SEC. 6. Composition of the Commission. - The Commission shall be headed
26 
by the Ombudsman as its Chairperson. He/she shall be assisted by two (2)
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Commissioners who shall serve on a full-time basis.
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a) The Commissioners shall include at least one (1) lawyer, accountant, or member
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of the academe who is in the field of public administration. Each Commissioner
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shall be selected and appointed by the President, without the requirement of
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confirmation, from a pool of candidates to be nominated by peak professional
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organizations of accountants or lawyers or by the university or college


b)
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c)
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d)
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e)
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f)
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to
administration if the nominee is a member of the academe. A "peak professional 
organization" refers to an organization duly recognized by members as 
representative of, and having the largest active membership in their profession, 
and has been in existence for at least ten (10) years. The mechanics of the 
nomination process shall be provided for in the implementing rules and 
regulations of this Act.
The Commissioners shall be citizens of the Philippines, at least thirty-five (35) 
years of age, known, and recognized for moral uprightness and patriotism, of 
unquestionable integrity, and recognized experts in any of the fields of law, 
accounting, or public administration. They must not have been candidates for 
any elective national or local office in the immediately preceding election, 
whether regular or special.
The Commissioners shall serve for three (3) years and may be reappointed as 
such for another term of three (3) years; Provided, That the reappointment of a 
Commissioner shall follow the nomination process outlined in this Section.
The President of the Philippines may remove any member of the Commission, 
upon compliance with due process, for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
The member suffers from physical or mental incapacity that renders him or 
her incapable of properly discharging the duties and responsibilities of the 
Commission, and such incapacity has lasted for more than six (6) months;
(2) 
The member has committed acts that are shown prima facie to be 
fraudulent or illegal or manifestly opposed to the aims and interests of the 
Commission and/or the government; or
(3) 
The member ceases to possess the qualifications required under this Act or 
its implementing rules and regulations.
The Commissioners shall not hold any public office or employment during their 
tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, in no case shall any member of the 
Commission appoint representatives to act on his/her behalf.
The Commissioners shall have the same rank and emoluments as that of a 
Deputy Ombudsman.
SEC. 7. The Secretariat. - The Commission shall be assisted by a Secretariat 
be headed by an Executive Director.


1 
The Secretariat shall be composed of individuals of known moral probity and
2 
dedication to public service. It shall provide technical and administrative support to
3 
the Commission and shall oversee all its operational activities.
4 
The Secretariat's Executive Director shall be appointed by the Chairperson with
5 
the concurrence of the Commissioners. The Executive Director shall attend the
6 
Commission's deliberations, monitor the implementation of the programs of the
7 
Commission, and manage its day-to-day operations.
8 
SEC. 8. Organizational Structure. - The Commission shall be composed of
9 
three departments:
10 
a) 
The Operations Department, which shall carry out the investigation and
11 
endorsement to the proper agency of cases investigated for the prosecution of
12 
offenses;
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b) 
The Corruption Prevention Department, which shall carry out assessment of
14 
areas in government offices where corruption would be most likely and make
15 
recommendations on how opportunities for corruption can be eliminated or
16 
reduced; and
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c) 
The Community Relations Department, which shall gather support and
18 
information from the public and work towards changing the public attitude
19 
regarding corruption.
20 
SEC. 9. Transparency and Availability of Records. - The Commission shall
21 
maintain and preserve its records, documents, and papers, and shall make the same
22 
available to the public, except when disclosure will pose serious damage to the
23 
Commission's case or when a party would be deprived of his/her right to a fair and
24 
impartial trial.
25 
SEC. 10. Malicious Prosecution. - Any complaint found to have been initiated
26 
with malice shall be dealt with in accordance with relevant laws.
27 
SEC. 11. Restrictions. - No writ of injunction shall be issued by any court to
28 
delay an investigation being conducted by the Commission.
29 
SEC. 12. Franking Privilege. - All official mail letters and telegrams of the
30 
Commission addressed for delivery within the Philippines shall be received,
31 
transmitted, and delivered free of charge: Provided, That such mail matters when


1 
addressed to private persons or non-government offices shall not exceed one hundred
2 
twenty (120) grams.
3 
SEC. 13. Support of Other Government Units. - The Commission may
4 
require any government agency to make available their personnel and facilities to
5 
attain the objectives of this Act.
6 
SEC. 14. Annual Report. - The Commission shall, on or before June 30 of each
7 
year, submit to the President and to Congress a report on its performance in
8 
combatting graft and corruption. The Commission shall furnish a copy of such report
9 
to the Office of the Ombudsman and shall also make available a copy of the report to
10 
the general public.
11 
SEC. 15. Appropriations. - For the first year of the implementation of this Act,
12 
an initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the
13 
implementation of this Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary to carry out the
14 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
15 
SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
16 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall, in consultation with the head of
17 
the Development Academy of the Philippines, the chairperson of the Civil Service
18 
Commission, the chairperson of the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, a
19 
representative from the Sandiganbayan, and other relevant government agencies and
20 
stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the proper
21 
implementation of this Act.
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SEC. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
23 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby
24 
shall remain in force and effect.
25 
SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
26 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
27 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
28 
SEC. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
29 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,