FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
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SENATE 
S.B. No. 2724 
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Introduced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was created to investigate 
crimes and other offenses against the laws of the Philippines, The resolution of 
cases strongly depends on the degree of effectiveness of the country's 
investigative body. It is high time, therefore, to develop the NBI's potential to the 
fullest 
The proposed National Bureau of Investigation Reorganization and 
Modernization Act of 2011 seeks to reorganize the country's investigative body by 
strengthening its existing powers and functions and modernizing its investigative 
program through the acquisition of state-of-the-art intelligence equipment, 
making it attuned to the needs of the time. 
The measure likewise seeks to provide adequate compensation, benefits 
and privileges, trainings, free health insurance, accident insurance and scholarship 
grants to NBI agents and employees. All of these are geared towards promoting 
and maintaining a modern, competent and highly-trained investigative body. 
Under this bill, a special trust fund will be created for the purpose of 
providing legal assistance to NBI personnel who are criminally charged with 
violation of their official functions. Two percent (2%) of the annual collection from 
clearance fees shall be used to maintain and implement the said trust fund, 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.n. No. 2724 
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Introduced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT REORGANIZING AND MODERNIZING THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF 
INVESTIGATION, PROVIDING NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFORE, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted in the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The National Bureau of 
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Investigation Reorganization and Modernization Act of2011." 
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SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to promote and 
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maintain a modern, competent and highly trained investigative body, functionally 
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integrated and national in scope. 
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Toward this end, the State shall formulate plans and programs to enhance and 
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modernize the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), with expanded structure, capability 
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and manpower, responsive to the demands of the times. 
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II 
SEC. 3. 
Reorgallizatioll, MOllernizatioll alld Expansion of the National 
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Bureau of Illvestigatioll - The National Bureau of Investigation, hereinafter referred to as 
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the NBI, is hereby reorganized and modernized. 
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The NBI shall implement a modernization program geared towards the acquisition 
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of state-of-the-art investigative and intelligence equipment and establishment of advanced 
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and sophisticated forensic and scientific laboratories. 
The program shall include 
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provisions for the training of its personnel in this regard. 
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The investigative and non-investigative staff of the NBl shall be increased and their 
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positions upgraded to adequately meet the increasing demands of an expanded 
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investigative and detective work. 
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The present organizational structure of the NBI shall be reorganized into the Office 
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of the Director, Office of the Deputy Director for Administration and Office of the Deputy 
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Director for Operations, Office of the Assistant Directors for Investigation Service, 
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Intelligence Service, Comptroller Service, Internal Audit Service, Forensic and Scientific 
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Research Service, Legal Service, and Information and Communications Technology 
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Service. Each Service shall be composed of the necessary divisions and sections. 
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The NBI shall establish a Regional Office in every region and a Sub-office in every 
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province, to be headed by a Regional Director and Head Agent, respectively. Field offices 
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in Congressional Districts shall likewise be established/maintained. 
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The investigative and non-investigative staff of the NBI occupying the positions 
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affected by the changes embodied in this Act at the time of its approval shall thereafter 
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occupy the positions mandated by this Act, and discharge the duties and functions of their 
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new positions and receive the corresponding salary and benefits without the necessity of 
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any new appointment. 
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SEC. 4. 
Qualifications of NBI Agents. 
l. Citizen of the Philippines; 
2. Of good moral character; 
3. Member of the Philippine Bar or a Holder of a Baccalaureate Degree 
who passed the necessary Government licensure examination; and 
4. Other qualifications for appointment as may be required by the NBI. 
SEC. 5. 
Powers alld FUllctiolls. - The NBI shall have the following powers 
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and functions: 
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1) 
Undertake investigation and detection of crimes and other offenses against the 
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laws ofthe Philippines, upon its own initiative and as public interest may require; 
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2) 
Act as national clearing house of criminal records and other related 
information for the benefit of judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative bodies, all 
prosecuting and law enforcement entities, as well as, the Legislative and Executive 
branches of Government; 
3) 
Act as repository for the following: 
a) All derogatory and criminal records and civilian identification records; 
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b) Ballistic records of firearms inclnding bnt not limited to data ownership, 
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possession, and other related identifying circumstances; 
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c) Dental records pursuant to PD 1575; and 
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d) National deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) database; 
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For this purpose, a modern NBI Clearance and Identification Center shall be 
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established; 
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4) 
Render technical assistance to judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative 
bodies, all prosecuting and law enforcement entities of government, as well as, the 
Legislative and Executive branches of the Government, when so requested; 
5) 
Establish an NBI Academy which shall be responsible for the recruitment, 
training and development of all NBI agents and personnel; 
6) 
Establish and maintain an integrated, comprehensive and state-of~the-art 
network, equipment and facilities to be used by the NBI in its criminal 
investigation, detection and evidence gathering, and to provide the corresponding 
training in this regard; 
7) 
Establish and maintain a Cyber Investigation and Assessment Center which 
shall serve as the nerve center for computer, information technologies, data on 
cyber crime cases, computer intrusion, threats and other related crimes or activities; 
8) 
Establish and maintain a Forensic and Scientific Research Center which shall 
serve as the primary center for forensic and scientific research in furtherance of 
scientific knowledge in criminal 
investigation, detection and evidence collection 
and preservation; and provide the necessary training therefore; 
9) Establish, control, supervise and administer a National Deoxyribonucleic Acid 
(DNA) Databank System; 
10) Enlist the assistance of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the 
Philippines or any other agency of the Government, including government-owned-
and/or-controlled corporations, in its anti-crime drive. Such assistance may include 
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the use of the enlisted agency's persoU11el and facilities upon prior approval of the 
head of the agency concerned; 
11) 
Enter into any contract or transaction for the acquisition, ownership, 
possession, administration, lease, disposition or acceptance of real or personal 
property in its name; and 
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12) Perform such other related functions as the President or the Secretary of 
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Justice may assign. 
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SEC. 6. 
Jurisdiction. --The NBI shall have pnmary jurisdiction to 
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investigate the following cases: 
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I. Public Corruption 
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1. 
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019); 
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ii. 
Anti-Plunder Act (Republic Act 7080); and 
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lli. 
Anti-Red Tape Act of2007 (Republic Act 9485); 
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2. Organized/Syndicated Crimes 
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1. 
Violation of the "Anti- Money Laundering Act of 2001" (Republic 
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Act 9160 as amended by Republic Act 9194); 
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II. 
PyramidinglNetworking Scams (PD 1689 [Increasing the Penalty for 
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Certain Forms of Estafa]); 
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iii. 
Fake Land Titles; and 
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IV. 
Kidnap-for-Ransom; 
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3. Cyber Crimes 
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i. 
Computer Intrusions; 
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ll. 
On-line Sexual Predators (i.e. Child Pornography); 
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iii. 
Intellectual Property Theft; 
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IV. 
Internet Fraud; and 
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v. 
Identity Theft/Identity Fraud; 
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4. Offenses Involving Economic Sabotage 
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1. 
Syndicated/Large Scale Illegal Recruitment; 
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II. 
Unfair Trade Practices (i.e. Violation of Republic Act 7581 CPrice 
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Act"); 
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5. Post-Blast Investigation; 
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6. Human Trafficking (Republic Act 9208); 
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7. Illegal Interception of Communications ( i.e. Violation of the "Anti-Wire-
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Tapping Law" [Republic Act 4200 J); 
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8. Commercial Crimes 
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1. 
Anti-Dummy Law (Commonwealth Act No.1 08, as amended); 
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9. 
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Access Devices Regulation Act (Republic Act 8484); 
Ill. 
E-Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act 8792); and 
Kidnapping, assault and assassination of the President, Vice President, 
Members of Congress and the Cabinet, and Supreme Court Justices; 
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10. The NBI shall be primarily in charge of identitication of the dead/victims in 
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case of mass fatality incident caused by natural disasters. 
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Provided, however, that the President, Secretary of Justice or NBI Director may 
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direct investigation of any crime where public interest so requires; and Provided further, 
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that the NBI shall have authority to investigate all crimes not assigned exclusively to other 
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law enforcement agency. 
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The NBI may, likewise, extend its services, whenever properly requested, in the 
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investigation of cases of administrative or civil nature in which the government is 
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interested. 
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SEC. 7. 
Tlte NBl Director, Otlter Officials and tfte Personnel Selection 
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Board (PSB). '.-The NBI shall be headed by a Director and assisted by two (2) Deputy 
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Directors, one Deputy Director for Administration and another Deputy Director for 
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Operations, and an Assistant Director for each of thc following seven (7) Services: 
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Investigation Service, Intelligence Service, Comptroller Service, Internal Audit Service, 
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Forensic and Scientific Research Service, Legal Service, and Information and 
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Communications Technology Service. 
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Rank/Classification of NBI Officials and Members of the Investigative Staff shall 
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be as follows: 
a. 
b. 
c. 
d. 
e. 
f. 
g. 
h. 
I. 
J. 
k. 
Director 
Deputy Director 
Assistant Director 
Regional Director 
Assistant Regional Director 
Head Agent 
Supervising Agent 
Senior Agent 
Agent III 
Agent II 
Agent I 
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No person shall be appointed Director unless he is a natural-born citizen of the 
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Philippines, a member of the Philippine Bar and should come from the ranks of Deputy 
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Directors and Assistant Directors. He shall serve for a term of three (3) years without 
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reappointment. 
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Bureau otlicials, from Director I to Bureau Director, shall be appointed by the 
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President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Personnel Selection Board 
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(PSB) as approved by the NBI Director. 
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Forensic Doctors, Chemists and other experts shall be called Special Agents. Their 
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ranks shall be equal to regular agents (Agent I to Head Agent). 
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The Personnel Selection Board (PSB) shall be composed of the Deputy Directors 
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and Assistant Directors and such other members as may be required by law. It shall be 
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chaired by the Deputy Director for Administration. The PSB shall have the power to 
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recommend, for approval, by the NBI Director, all promotions and selections. 
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SEC. 8. 
Compensation. --The Director, for purposes of salary and benefits, 
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shall have the equivalent rank of a Department Secretary. 
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Salaries and benefits of other Bureau officials and personnel shall be reckoned from 
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the salary level of the Director. 
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Subject to availability of funds, salaries and privileges of NBI personnel may be 
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further increased in amounts to be determined by the Department of Budget and 
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Management (DBM) and the NBI Director. 
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SEC. 9. 
Powers and Functions of the Director. - The Director shall have the 
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following powers and functions: 
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1) 
Formulate policies, guidelines and programs to effectively carry out the 
purposes of this Act; 
2) 
Direct, control and supervise the administration and operations of the NBI; 
3) 
Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary or proper for the 
effective exercise of the powers and functions as well as the discharge of the 
duties and responsibilities of the NBI, its officials and personnel; 
4) 
Remove, suspend or otherwise discipline NBI Personnel for cause 111 
accordance with existing Civil Service Rules and Regulations and other 
peltinent laws; 
5) 
Determine, from time to time, subject to availability of funds, the limits to 
which, in terms of amount and period covered, reasonable allowances, 
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incentives, bonuses, privileges and other benefits may be given to Bureau 
employees; 
6) 
Deploy any of its official or personnel for out-of-country missions including, 
but not limited to, assignments as flUlctionaries attached to any Philippine 
Embassy, consulate or any other diplomatic office abroad in coordination 
with the Department of Foreign Affairs; 
7) 
Issue mission orders and permits to carry firearms outside residence; 
8) 
Create or abolish any division/unit as may be required by the exigencies of 
the service; 
9) 
Designate NBI informants; 
10) Perform any and all acts necessary, proper or incidental to the attainment of 
the purposes and objectives of this Act; and 
11) Perform such other related functions as may be provided by law or authorized 
by the Secretary of Justice. 
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SEC. 10. 
Powers and Functions of the Investigative Staff. -
The 
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Investigative Staff of the NBI shall have the following powers and functions: 
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1) Conduct searches, arrests and seizures in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
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regulations; 
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2) Issue subpoena or subpoena duces lecum for the appearance of any person for 
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investigation; Deliberate and unjustified failure to obey the subpoena herein mentioned 
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shall render the person concerned liable for Obstruction of Justice under I'D 1829; 
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3) Take and reqUIre sworn statements of any person or persons so summoned m 
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relation to cases under investigation; 
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4) Administer oaths in cases under investigation; 
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5) Own, possess and carry, outside their office and residence, suitable and adequate 
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firearms for their personal protection in connection with their duties and for the proper 
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protection of witnesses and persons in custody; Provided, that no previous special 
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pennit for such possession shall be required; 
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6) Have access, examine, secure, take custody of and photocopy public records: 
Provided, That as regards public and/or bank records such access need not be upon 
prior approval of the court in cases involving verified complaint for Malversation of 
Public Funds or Property, as defined and penalized under the Revised Penal Code, as 
amended, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), the Anti-
Money Laundering Law of2001 (RA 9160 as amended by RA 9194), Code of Conduct 
and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), Comprehensive 
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165), Anti-Plunder Act (RA 7080, as anlended), 
and The Human Security Act of2007 (RA 9372); 
The refusal to allow NBI access to and/or to examine/handle records mentioned in this 
paragraph shall render the person concemed liable for Obstruction of Justice under PD 
1829. 
SEC. 11. 
Benefits and Privileges. - The NBI shall provide its employees with 
the following benefits: 
(I) 
Health care services through a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). 
Expenses for the mandatOlY annual executive check-up of all regular employees 
shall be for the account of the NBI; 
(2) 
Accident insurance policies for all employees, procured by the NBI at its own 
expense, while in the performance of their official duties and fimctions; and 
(3) 
Without prejudice to efficiency in the service, grant trainings, scholarships 
and seminars to deserving employees, on official time and at the expense of the 
NBI, to upgrade their knowledge and skills; Provided that: grantees under this 
provision shall be selected on the basis of merit as determined by competitive 
examination; 
(4) 
Longevity Pay subject to guidelines that shall hereafter be issued the NBI 
Director; Provided, That: such pay shall, for retirement purposes, be an integral 
part of an NBI retiree's basic salary; and 
(5) 
A provident fund which shall consist of contributions made by both the 
management and member-employees to a common fund to provide additional 
benefits to NBI employees. The Fund shall be provided with a capital to be 
sourced [rom, among others, retained collection from clearance fees. Said Fund 
shall be augmented by counterpart contributions of NBI personnel at an amount 
to be agreed upon by the Management and member-employees. 
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SEC. 12. 
Retirement Benefits. -- Upon attaining sixty (60) years of age 
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with at least fifteen (15) years of continnous government service, or upon accumulation of 
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thirty (30) years of satisfactory continuous service, whichever is earlier, an NBI personnel 
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shall be compulsorily retired and shall be entitled to receive benefits provided by law. 
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Monetary incentives/special allowances shall, for retirement purposes, be an integral part 
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ofa retiree's basic salary. 
SEC. 13. 
Legal Assistance. - A special trust fund shall be established to 
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assist NBI personnel who are criminally charged in connection with the performance of 
their official functions. 
SEC. 14. 
Seminar and Other Professional Fees. - Subject to availability of 
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funds, fees for releva.nt seminars, as well as professional membership fees for lawyers, 
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registration fees, and related miscellaneous expenses inculTed in completing the Mandatory 
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Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) course shall be borne by the NBI. Moreover, 
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professional membership, registration fees, 
including the mandatory continuing 
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professional education (ePE), and related miscellaneous expenses of other employees 
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holding positions for which a professional license is required by the NBI, shall be borne by 
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the NBl. 
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SEC. 15. Transportation Benefits. -
Subject to the availability of funds, 
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employees shall be provided with contracted transportation services until such time that the 
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office can procure additional motor vehicles for this plllpose. 
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SEC. 16. 
Franking Privilege. -- All official mail matters of the NBI 
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addressed for delivery within the Philippines shall be received, transmitted, and delivered 
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free of charge: Provided, That such mail matters when addressed to private persons or non-
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government offices shall not exceed one hundred and twenty (120) grams; Provided 
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further, That use of this privilege for non-official purposes shall be a ground for 
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disciplinary action. 
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SEC. 17. 
Grant of Special Allowances. - The investigative and non-
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investigative personnel of the NBI shall be granted special allowances in amounts to be 
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determined by the NBI Director and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 
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The grant of special allowances shall be implemented uniformly in such sums and 
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amounts and to the extent that can be supported by the funding source as specified in 
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Section 19 hereof: Provided, That said special allowance shall not exceed One Hundred 
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percent (100%) of the basic salary of the NBI personnel concerned as provided for in 
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Republic Act No. 6758 otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law of 1989, as 
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amended. 
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SEC. 18. 
Retention of Fifty Percent (50%) of NflI Clearance Fees.--
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The NBI shall be authorized to retain fifty percent (50%) of its collections from clearance 
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fees to augment its operational expenses including capital outlay, expenses for health care 
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services, career advancement and professionalization, legal assistance, seminars and other 
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professional fees, among others. 
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SEC. 19. 
Funding Source. -- The funds required for the implementation 
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of this Act including employee benefits shall be taken from: 
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I) Collections from NBI clearance and certification fees; 
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2) Service incomes from trainings, DNA, Drug tests, Confirmatory and 
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'Neuro tests and the like; and 
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3) Other miscellaneous incomes. 
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SEC. 20. 
Effect of Subsequent Salary Increases. -- Upon implementation 
of any subsequent increases in the salary rates provided under Republic Act No. 6758, as 
amended, all special allowances granted under Section 17 hereof shall be considered as an 
implementation of said salary increases as provided by law. 
The special allowances 
equivalent to the increase in the basic salary as may be provided by law shall be converted 
as part of the basic salary: Provided, That the amounts converted as basic salary shall be 
funded from the regular appropriations of the NBI. Any excess in the allowances granted 
under this Ac( not converted to basic salary shall continue to be granted as such and shall 
continue (0 be funded utider the immediately preceding Section. 
SEC. 21. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days 
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from the approval of this Act, the NBI Director in coordination with the Secretary of 
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Budget and Management shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary 
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to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 22. 
Transitory Provisions. -- All unexpended appropriations, real 
and personal property, contracts, records and documents relating to the existing NBI shall 
be transferred to the reorganized NBI. 
All rights, obligations and liabilities of the existing NBI shall likewise be deemed 
to be rights, obligations and liabilities of the reorganized NBI. 
All incumbent personnel of the NBI shall continue in office and perform their 
duties as such; Provided, that the incumbent Assistant Director shall continue in Office as 
Deputy Director and the incumbent Deputy Directors shall continue in office as Assistant 
Directors of their respective or equivalent Services. 
Incumbent Special Investigators shall be deemed Regular Agents provided they 
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meet the qualifications set forth under Section 4 hereof within two (2) years from 
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effectivity of this Act. 
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SEC. 23. 
Repealing Clause. - Pertinent provisions of Executive Order 292 
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(Revised Administrative Code of 1987, as amended), Republic Act No. 157 dated June 19, 
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1947, Republic Acts numbered 2389 and 2678 and all laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
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regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
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Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 24. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full 
force and effect. 
SEC. 25. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
in the Philippines. 
Approved, 
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