EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
( W itf ot ti)f ^ rc rftn r?
•If MOV-5 f3 5l
SENATE
No. 1148
Introduced bv SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
.VMENDING SECTION 58 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, 
OTHERWTSE KNOWN AS “THE PH ILIPPIN E NATIONAL POLICE 
REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1998”, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 14, Article II of the 1987 Constitution acknowledges the role of women 
in nation-building.
In 2009, Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, was enacted 
into law which seeks to eliminate discrimination against women by recognizing, 
protecting, fulfilling and promoting the rights of Filipino women. One of the rights 
spelled out was the right of a woman to equal treatment of the law.
To date, there are still a number of laws discriminatory to women.
One example is Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8551, or the Philippine National 
Police Reform and Reorganization Act, which mandates that “[t]he PNP shall reser\ e 
ten percent (10%) of its annual recruitment, training, and education quota for women 
[wrho shall serve in the women’s desks]”.
This provision is inconsistent with Section 9 (a) of the Magna Carta of Women 
w'hich expressly states:
Section 9. P rotection from  Violence. -  xxx
a. W ithin the next five (5) years, there shall be an increm ental increase in 
the recruitm ent and training of w om en in the p o lic e  fo rc e , forensics and 
m edico-legal, legal services, and social w ork services availed o f by 
w om en w ho are victim s of gender-related offenses u n til fifty  p e rc e n t


(50% ) o f th e  p e rs o n n e l th e re o f s h a ll 
be w o m e n ... (Em phasis 
supplied).
To address this gap, we should rectify that pro\ision of R.A. No. 8551 and align 
it with our commitments in the Magna Carta of Women.
Especially in the w^ake of recent reports of abuses by male officers against 
women and children in police custody, there is urgency to increase women’s 
representation in the police force which hopefully will result in a more responsive and 
committed police force tow ards preventing \iolations and abuses of women’s rights.
As a signatory to the Con\ention on the Elimination of All Forms of 
Discrimination Against Women, the Philippines is obliged to take appropriate 
measures, including legislation, so that every Filipina can enjoy her human rights and 
fundamental freedoms, without discrimination.
For the above reasons, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
—^JLy/yr-
LEILA M. DE LIMA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
^cuau'
ot 1(Jf ^ rcrC(arp
*19 NQV-5 f 3 SI
SENATE
S. No. 1148
RECE!" -D B Y .
Introduced bv SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 5 8  OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, 
OTHERW ISE KNOWN AS “THE PH ILIPPIN E NATIONAL POLICE 
REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1 9 9 8 ” , 
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. Section 58 of Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as the
2 
“Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998”, is amended to
3 
read as follows:
4 
“SEC. 58. Within the next five (5) years, the PNP shall prioritize the
5 
recruitment and training of women who shall ser\;e in the women's desk.
6 
Pursuant to this requirement, the PNP shall [reserv e ten percent (10%)
7 
of its] IMPLEMENT AN INCREMENTAL INCREASE IN THE annual
8 
recruitment, training, and education quota for women UNTIL FIFTY
9 
PERCENT (50%) OF THE PERSONNEL THEREOF SHALL BE
10 
WOMEN.”
11 
Sec. 2. Mandatory Evaluation and Reporting. -  Every four (4) years, the PNP
12 
shall conduct a mandatory review of the implementation of this Act and submit a
13 
report of its findings to Congress.
14 
Sec. 3. All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and regulations
15 
contrary7 or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and
16 
modified accordingly.
17 
Sec. 4. If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the
18 
other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.


1 
Sec. 5. This Act shall take fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in
2 
the Official Gazette or in tw'o (2) new'spapers of general circulation.
Approved,