Republic of the Dhilippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._1160

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 14 provides: The State recognizes the role of
women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women

and men.

The incidence of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault by strangers and non-strangers,
marital rape, and incest has steadily increased in the past few years. Unfortunately, law
enforcement agencies are not successful in protecting women against violent crimes because
of the inadequacy of existing laws and the underreporting of rape, sexual assault, and violent
crimes due to fear of reprisal. Hence, this bill seeks to establish a Task Force that shall develop
a uniform law enforcement strategy in order to protect women against violent crime, punish

persons who commit such crimes, and enhance the rights of victims of such crimes.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

tie Hew Mein


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 1160

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND A UNIFORM
STRATEGY TO PROTECT WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Violence Against Women
Research Act."

SECTION 2. National Task Force on Violence Against Women. - Not later than thirty
(30) days after the date of enactment of this Act, there shall be established a Task Force to be
known as the "National Task Force on Violence Against Women" (referred to in this Act as
the "Task Force"), which shall be created under the Office of the President.

SECTION 3. Duties. -

(A) General Purpose of Task Force. - The Task Force shall develop a uniform law
enforcement strategy aimed at protecting women against violent crime, punishing
persons who commit such crimes, and enhancing the rights of victims of such
crimes.

(B) Duties of Task Force. - The Task Force shall perform such functions as the President
deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Task Force, including:

(1) _ Considering the reports of the Commission on Human Rights, appropriate agencies,

and other non-government organizations,


Q)

@)

(4)

Developing strategies for law enforcement designated to protect women against
violent crime, and to prosecute and punish those responsible for such crime;
Evaluating the adequacy of sentencing, incarceration and release of violent
offenders against women, and making recommendations designated to ensure that
such offenders receive appropriate punishment; and

Evaluating the adequacy of the treatment of victims of violent crime against women
within the criminal justice system, and making recommendations designed to

improve such treatment.

SECTION 4. Membership. -

A)

(B)

In General. - The Task Force shall consist of up to nine (9) members, who shall be
appointed by the President not later than sixty (60) days after the date of enactment
of this Act. The President shall ensure that the Task Force includes representatives
of law enforcement and groups dedicated to protecting the rights of victims.

Per Diem. - While away from their homes or regular places of business in the
performance of duties for the Task Force, members of the Task Force shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates

authorized for employees of agencies under existing law.

SECTION 5. Executive Director and Staff —

(A)

(B)

Executive Director. - The Task Force shall be headed by an Executive Director who
shall be appointed by the President not later than thirty (30) days after the Task Foree
is fully constituted under Section 2. The Executive Director shall receive
compensation at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of the basic pay payable
under existing law.

Staff. - With the approval of the Task Force, the Executive Director may appoint not
more than twelve (12) individuals to serve as staff and fix the compensation of such
additional personnel as the Executive Director considers necessary to carry out the
duties of the Task Force.

SECTION 6. Power of the Task Force. -

(A)

Hearings. - For the purpose of carrying out this Section, the Task Force may conduct
such hearings, sit and act at such times and place, take such testimony, and receive
such evidence, as the Task Force considers appropriate. The Task Force may
administer oaths before the Task Force.


(B) _ Delegation. - Any number of employees of the Task Force may, if authorized by the
Task Force, take any action that the Task Force is authorized to take under this
section.

(C) Access to Information. - The Task Force may secure directly from any executive
department or agency such information as may be necessary to enable the Task
Force to carry out the provisions of this Act, to the extent access to such information
is permitted by law.

(D) Mail. - The Task Force may use the mails in the same manner and under the same

conditions as other departments and agencies of the government.

SECTION 7. Report. - Not later than one (1) year after the date on which the Task Force
is fully constituted under Section 2, the Executive Director shall submit a detailed report to the

Congress on the findings and recommendations of the Task Force.

SECTION 8. Authorization and Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated

such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting,

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,