Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1523

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a principle of the State, it is the prime duty of the Government to serve
and protect the people. Further, it is declared, that the maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general
welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of
democracy

In furtherance of these principles, the government must exert all possible
efforts to repel any threats to its security and its people, or acts intended to usurp
the power and functions of duly constituted authorities. Negotiation should be
considered as a preliminary step in resolving conflicts or any form of crisis, to
avoid the use force against imminent threat or violence.

Crisis situations, such as the military mutiny, rebellion and coup defat in the
past, proved that a conflict may end through peaceful and negotiated means.

This proposed measure seeks to create the Office of the Government
Negotiator under the Office of the President, which shall act as the sole and
principal negotiating office of the government in crisis and conflict situations. The
Office shall represent the government in the settlement of conflicts involving armed
or hostile individuals or groups.

Hence, in view of the foregoing, immediate consideration and approval of
this bill is earnestly sought.

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AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO.
2” District, Province of lloilo


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.. 1523

Introduced by REP. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCO.

AN ACT
CREATING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATOR UNDER THE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Principle. - It is declared as the principle of
the State that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty,
and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. The prime duty of the
Government is to serve and protect the people.

SECTION 2. Creation of the Office of the Government Negotiator. —
The Office of the Government Negotiator is hereby created under the Office of the
President, which shall be the sole and principal negotiating office of the
government in crisis and conflict situations.

The Office shall be composed of a Government Negotiator and two (2)
Deputy Negotiators from the religious and military sector.
SECTION 3. Powers and Functions. - The Office shall have the following

powers and functions:

a. To represent the government in the settlement of conflicts involving
armed or hostile individuals or groups;

b. To negotiate and decide in behalf of the government;

¢. To formulate set of policies to be adopted by the government concerning
crisis situation and management, and its rules on engagement;

d. To recommend policies, solutions and courses of action to the
President;

e. To formulate and adopt rules and guidelines to govern the internal
affairs of the Office; and


f. To perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary to
achieve the objectives of this Act.

SECTION 4. Appropriation. - The amount needed to carry out the
provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. The publication shall not be
later than seven (7) days after approval hereof

Approved,