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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4215
___________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 
___________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CHARTER OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE-
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS 
AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Explanatory Note 
In the ever-evolving landscape of governance, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) 
of the Philippines stands as a vital component of our democratic framework. This is a 
bill which intends to create a charter for the OVP, seeking to establish a robust 
foundation that elevates the role beyond ceremonial duties, ensuring that Vice 
Presidents can fulfill their mandate with clarity, purpose, and efficacy. 
The mandate of the OVP must encompass substantive responsibilities that resonate 
with the aspirations of Filipinos. The charter will delineate specific roles, including 
formulating and recommending programs to ensure effective and efficient delivery of 
social services, as well as implementing socio-economic and advocacy programs 
towards nation-building, representing the government in international gatherings, and 
assuming leadership role in addressing key issues. By defining these responsibilities, 
we empower Vice Presidents to lead with purpose, fostering an environment where 
proactive solutions can flourish.  A clear mandate for the OVP creates a solid 
foundation for effective governance that reflects its commitment to progress for the 
general welfare. 
In the creation of the OVP’s charter, it is essential to include several critical provisions. 
Firstly, there is a need for the establishment of a permanent office that will serve as a 
dedicated space for operations and strengthen the identity of the Office of the Vice 
President. Secondly, the OVP must have the necessary administrative structure, 
personnel, and budgetary support to guarantee the successful execution of the 
functions of the office, thereby enabling a Vice President to perform effectively and 
efficiently. Additionally, a security team should be formed to implement protocols aimed 
at safeguarding both current and former Vice Presidents, thereby ensuring continuity 
of leadership within the governance framework. 
This proposal aligns with the constitutional provisions outlined in the 1987 Constitution 
of the Philippines, specifically Article VII, Section 3, which recognizes the Vice 
President as the second highest official of the land. This charter seeks to clarify and 
September 1, 2025
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expand upon these constitutional duties, ensuring that the Vice President is equipped 
to meet the challenges of governance with clarity and resolve, thus reinforcing the 
latter’s role as a significant figure in the country’s democratic process. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
       GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO        
 Representative 2nd District of Pampanga 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Philippines 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4215
Introduced by Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CHARTER OF THE OFFICE OF THE VICE-
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
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 “The OVP Charter.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State declares that the Office of the 
Vice President, the second highest public office in the land, is a vital agency of the 
government that delivers efficient, accessible, and responsive public service for the 
good of all Filipinos.  
 It is hereby declared the policy of the State to continuously provide the Filipino 
people with excellent public service through the concerted efforts of all its elected and 
appointed officials. The State shall endeavor to maximize all its human and financial 
resources for the benefit and welfare of its people.  
Towards this end, the State shall define, through legislation, the mandate, 
powers and functions of the Vice-President, the second highest official in the land, in 
order to uphold the role beyond ceremonial duties, ensuring that Vice Presidents can 
fulfill their mandate with clarity, purpose, and efficacy. By doing so, this will provide 
the Office of the Vice-President with appropriate and adequate mechanisms through 
which it may serve and ensure effective governance that reflects its commitment to 
the general welfare of Filipinos.  
SEC. 3. Powers and Functions of the Office of the Vice-President. - The 
Office of the Vice-President shall have the following powers and functions: 


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a. Implement laws, policies, rules and regulations of the National Government;
b. Formulate, develop, recommend and implement programs to ensure
effective and efficient delivery of social services to the Filipino people;
c. Coordinate and partner with appropriate government and non-government
agencies, financial institutions, socio-economic groups and people’s
organizations in supporting local government units and their constituents,
in identifying and implementing socio-economic development and advocacy
programs towards nation-building;
d. Perform ceremonial and diplomatic functions, and represent the Philippine
government in official gatherings and occasions;
e. Own, hold, acquire, or lease real and personal properties as may be required
in the discharge of its functions;
f.
Maintain a Provident Fund which consists of contributions made by both the
Office of the Vice-President and its officials and employees and their
earnings, for the payment of benefits to such officials and employees or
their heirs under such terms and conditions as it may prescribe;
g. Confer awards upon individual Filipinos in recognition of their heroic deeds
and service to the nation or for honoring the country through their scientific,
cultural, or artistic accomplishment; and
h. Exercise such other powers as may be vested in the Vice-President of the
Republic of the Philippines by other laws.
SEC. 4. The Vice-President. - The authority and responsibility for the 
exercise of mandate, powers and functions of the Office of the Vice-President shall be 
vested in the Vice-President, who shall exercise supervision and control over the said 
office.  
For such purposes, the Vice-President shall have the following functions: 
a. Provide executive direction, supervision and control over the entire
operations of the Office of the Vice-President;
b. Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical
operations of Office of the Vice-President, consistent with the programs of
the government;
c.
Issue order, directives, rules, regulations and other issuances, to carry out
policies, plans, programs, or projects pursuant to the provisions of this Act,
and such other powers as may be required to implement and realize the
objectives of this Act;
d. Provide advice to the President on the promulgation of executive and
administrative orders and on the formulation of necessary regulatory and
legislative proposals on matters pertaining to the programs implemented by
Office of the Vice-President; and
e. Perform such other functions as may be provided for by law.
SEC. 5.  Structural Organization. – The Vice-President shall be assisted by 
one (1) Chief of Staff who shall directly assist the President in the management of the 
affairs pertaining to the Office of the Vice-President, and four (4) Assistant Chiefs of 


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Staff who shall provide comprehensive support pertaining to a functional area of the 
Office. The Vice-President shall have the authority to assess and evaluate, and on the 
basis of which, transfer, delineate, reassign, or reorganize the functional areas of 
responsibilities of each office as he or she may deem necessary for the effective 
discharge of its functions. 
The Chief of Staff and Assistant Chiefs of Staff shall possess the rank, salary 
and benefits appurtenant to a cabinet secretary and undersecretary, respectively, all 
of whom shall be selected and appointed by the Vice-President. Their appointment 
shall be coterminous with the Vice-President. 
There shall be six (6) directors who shall assist the Chief of Staff and Assistant 
Chiefs of Staff, and who shall perform management functions and supervise the 
divisions and units under their offices. Four (4) director positions shall be coterminous 
with the appointing authority while two (2) shall be permanent positions. 
Whenever necessary, additional director positions may be requested by the 
Office of the Vice-President, subject to approval from the Office of the President.   
SEC. 6.  Office of the Chief of Staff. – The Office of the Chief of Staff shall 
have the following functions: 
a. Exercise general supervision and control on the daily operations of the Office
of the Vice-President;
b. Represent the Vice-President in official functions and meetings; and
c. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the
Vice-President.
SEC. 7.  Offices of the Assistant Chief of Staff. –The following offices are 
hereby created, each to be headed by an Assistant Chief of Staff and assisted by other 
officers and staff:  
a. Administrative and Financial Services Office
b. Operations Office
c. Strategy Management Office
d. Corporate Communications Office
Two (2) permanent positions for director mentioned in Section 9 of this Act 
shall each be designated as the Director for Administrative Services and Director for 
Financial Services, respectively. The other four (4) coterminous director positions shall 
be assigned to other various functional areas of the organization, as the Vice-President 
may deem necessary. 
SEC. 8.  Administrative and Financial Services Office. – The Office shall 
have the following functions:  
a.
Provide the Office with advice and assistance on budgetary, financial and
management matters;


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b. Ensure efficient, effective, and economical services relating to records 
management, supplies, equipment, collections, disbursements, building 
administration and maintenance, and security; 
c. 
Administer personnel programs including selection and placement 
development, performance evaluation, employee relations and welfare; 
and 
d. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Vice-President.  
 
SEC. 9.  Operations Office. – The Office shall have the following functions: 
 
a. Conceptualize, develop and enhance the programs and services of the 
Office; 
b. Ensure the efficient and effective delivery of programs and services of the 
Office; 
c. 
Supervise and control all operations activity, including disaster relief 
operations; and 
d. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Vice-President. 
 
SEC. 10.  Strategy Management Office. – The Office shall have the 
following functions: 
 
a. Ensure the alignment of performance target and measures, with the 
resources and strategic objectives of the Office;  
b. Develop, review and implement strategic plan; 
c. 
Coordinate and monitor the implementation of various directives, programs 
and services of the Office, among others;  
d. Formulate policies that ensure the accomplishment of organizational goals;  
e. Undertake research to contribute to policy advocacy of the Office; and 
f. 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Vice-President. 
 
SEC. 11.  Corporate Communications Office. – The Office shall have the 
following functions: 
 
a. Formulate communications plan that will disseminate the programs and 
services of the Office; 
b. Engage and communicate with the media and public the OVP’s targets, 
activities and accomplishments; 
c. 
Develop, promote and maintain the OVP brand of public service; and 
d. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by 
the Vice-President. 
 
SEC. 12.  Technical and Staff Offices. – Division chiefs shall be appointed 
in accordance with the qualifications set by the Civil Service Commission and shall 
head the divisions within the Office of the Vice-President including, but not limited to: 
 


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a. Accounting 
b. Budget 
c. Cash 
d. Ceremonial and Diplomatic Affairs 
e. General Services 
f. Human Resource Development 
g. Internal Audit 
h. Knowledge Management 
i. Legal Affairs 
j. Local Affairs and Special Projects 
k. Planning 
l. Public Assistance 
m. Management Information Service 
n. Media and Public Relations 
o. Research and Policy 
p. Security Bureau 
 
The position structure and staffing pattern of the Office of the Vice-President, 
including the Museum of the Vice-Presidents of the Philippines as provided in Section 
22 herein, shall be approved and prescribed by the Vice-President.  
 
The Vice-President shall establish professionalism and exemplary public service 
at all levels of the organization. 
 
The Office of the Vice-President may be reorganized by the Vice-President to 
suit the operations of the Office. There shall be no mandatory separation of any 
employee as a result of the reorganization. Whenever practicable, the affected 
employees shall be reassigned to similar positions, taking into consideration their skills 
and experience without loss of seniority or other rights and privileges attached. In any 
case, all relevant laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations concerning 
the rights of government employees in the reorganization of an office shall be 
respected. 
 
SEC. 13. Qualifications. – No person shall be appointed Chief of Staff or 
Assistant Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice-President unless he or she is a citizen 
and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, and proven integrity. 
 
The power to select and appoint the Chief of Staff and all Assistant Chiefs of 
Staff shall be vested solely in the Vice-President. The Vice-President shall appoint all 
officers and employees of the Office of the Vice-President, in accordance with the Civil 
Service Law, rules and regulations.  
 
SEC. 14. Satellite Offices. -  The Vice-President is hereby authorized to 
establish, operate and maintain Satellite Offices in various parts of the country to 
enhance the delivery of its services to the people, as the need arises. Each Satellite 
Office shall be headed by a Satellite Chief, who may be assisted by an Assistant 
Satellite Chief. The Satellite Chief and Assistant Satellite Chief shall be appointed by 


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the Vice-President. The Satellite Offices shall be under the general supervision and 
control of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. 
 
SEC. 15.  Assistance to Filipinos - The Office of the Vice-President is hereby 
authorized to provide the following assistance to Filipino households and individuals 
in need: 
 
a. Financial assistance in the form of outright cash, check, vouchers, tickets,  
guarantee letters and other similar devices to be issued in favor of qualified 
beneficiaries for medical, funeral, transportation, educational, food and 
other essential needs. The amount of financial assistance shall be 
determined by the OVP, taking into account the current needs and cost of 
medical, funeral and transport services, education, food and other essential 
needs: Provided, That the amount of financial assistance may be adjusted 
by the OVP based on their assessment criteria: Provided, further, That the 
OVP may adopt mechanisms to ensure swift and efficient grant of financial 
assistance by requesting the services of national government agencies or 
local government units (LGUs),  or by engaging the services of authorized 
government depository banks, rural banks, thrift banks, cooperative banks, 
and institutions engaged in money remittances duly registered with and 
licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas;  
 
b. Material assistance in the form of food packs, ready-to-eat meals, food stubs 
or vouchers, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, assistive devices and technologies, 
and other similar implements: Provided, That the procurement of goods and 
commodities shall be in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise 
known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”; 
 
c. Psychosocial support in the form of psychological first aid, social work 
counseling, and other necessary psychological and emotional interventions: 
Provided, That the provision of psychosocial support shall be in accordance 
with Republic Act No. 11036, otherwise known as the “Mental Health Act”; 
 
d. Referral services in the form of coordination or endorsement of clients to 
other government agencies that provide other services including, but not 
limited to: legal, psychiatric, protective, treatment, and rehabilitative 
services; 
 
e. Peace-building assistance in the form of sustainable livelihood, micro-
enterprise capital, employment facilitation and skills development for 
Filipinos in poverty-stricken or conflict areas to prevent local residents from 
being targeted or recruited by terrorist or communist insurgents; and 
 
f. Other forms of assistance as may be deemed necessary by the Office of the 
Vice-President. 


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It shall also work with other government agencies, entities or government-
owned or controlled corporation, or non-government organizations to address the 
needs of individuals in crisis. 
 
SEC. 16. Authority to accept donations. Notwithstanding any law to the 
contrary, the Vice-President shall be authorized to accept local and foreign donations 
in cash or in kind for purposes relevant to the performance of the functions of the 
Vice-President. Provided, That receipts from donations, whether in cash or in kind, 
shall be properly accounted in its books in accordance with existing accounting and 
auditing rules and regulations.   
 
The Office of the Vice-President is likewise authorized to facilitate the 
distribution of donations it has received for relief aid in times of disaster, calamities, 
public health emergencies, and other humanitarian reasons.  
 
SEC. 17. The Coat-of-Arms, Seal, and Flag of the Vice-President of the 
Philippines. 
 
a. The Coat-of-Arms of the Vice-President of the Philippines shall be of the 
following design: 
 
A circular white shield with an eight-rayed golden-yellow Philippine sun 
at the center. Overlapping the Philippine sun is a red equilateral triangle. 
Inside and at the center of the equilateral triangle is the traditional 
golden-yellow sea lion (Ultramar) of the Coat-of-Arms granted to the 
City of Manila in 1596, on guard with a sword on its right paw, at hilt. 
Inside and at the corner of each of the three (3) angles of the equilateral 
triangle, a five-pointed golden-yellow star to represent Luzon, Visayas, 
and Mindanao, respectively. 
 
b. The Seal of the Vice-President of the Philippines shall consist of the Coat-
of-Arms of the Vice-President of the Philippines, and a blue circle around 
the Coat-of-Arms. The blue circle shall contain the words “Sagisag ng 
Pangalawang Pangulo ng Pilipinas” in white letters on the upper arc, the 
lower arc divided by one (1) five-pointed white star. 
 
c. The Flag of the Vice-President of the Philippines shall consist of the Coat-
of-Arms of the Vice-President in proper colors, with a rectangular white 
background (instead of the circular white shield). The fringe shall be of 
knotted yellow silk. The ratio of the Flag shall be 1:2: Provided, That when 
the Flag of the Vice-President is used with the PH flag, it shall be hoisted, 
flown and displayed in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic 
Act No. 8491, as amended. 
 
SEC. 18. The Seal, Flag, and Hymn of the Office of the Vice-President 
of the Philippines. 
 


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a. The Seal of the Office of the Vice-President of the Philippines shall consist 
of the Coat-of-Arms of the Philippines, and a blue circle around the Coat-of-
Arms. The blue circle shall contain the words “Tanggapan ng Pangalawang 
Pangulo” in white letters on the upper arc, the lower arc divided by one (1) 
five-pointed white star. 
 
b. The Flag of the Office of the Vice-President of the Philippines shall consist 
of the Coat-of-Arms of the Office of the Vice-President in proper colors, with 
a rectangular white background. The fringe shall be of knotted yellow silk. 
The ratio of the Flag shall be 1:2: Provided, That when the Flag of the Office 
Vice-President is used with the PH flag, it shall be hoisted, flown and 
displayed in accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 
8491, as amended. 
 
c. The Official Hymn for the Office of the Vice-President is adopted and 
institutionalized, as follows: 
 
SULONG, TANGGAPAN NG PANGALAWANG PANGULO 
 
Sing tamis ng sinag ng umaga  
Puso mo’y daluyan ng Pag-asa  
Sagisag mo’y araw ng pagkakaisa  
  
Dala ang katapatan sa serbisyo  
Pag-ibig sa mamamayang Pilipino  
Sa paglinang ng kultura ika’y kasama ko  
  
Sulong, Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo  
Ikaw ay sandigan ng bawat Pilipino  
Sulong, hawak kamay ika’y aming gabay  
Tungo sa ninanais naming tagumpay  
  
Sulong, Tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo  
Ikaw ay sandigan ng bawat Pilipino  
Sulong, hawak kamay ika’y aming gabay  
Tungo sa ninanais nating tagumpay  
  
Tungo sa ninanais nating tagumpay 
 
 
SEC. 19. Permitted and Prohibited Uses of the Heraldic Items and 
Devices of the Vice-President of the Philippines and the Office of the Vice-
President. –The Coat-of-Arms, Seal, and Flag of the Vice-President of the Philippines 
and the Office of the Vice-President shall be exclusively used to represent the Vice-


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President of the Philippines and the Office of the Vice-President, unless otherwise 
provided by law. 
 
Except as used by the Vice-President of the Philippines and the Office of the 
Vice-President or as may otherwise be provided by law, the manufacture, 
reproduction, sale, purchase for sale, use, display, or possession in commercial 
quantity of the Coat-of-Arms, Seal, and/or Flag of the Vice-President of the Philippines 
and the Office of the Vice-President, respectively, or any likeness or substantial part 
thereof, shall be permitted only for the following uses: 
 
a. Use in encyclopedias, dictionaries, books, journals, pamphlets, periodicals, 
or magazines incident to a description or history of coats-of-arms, seals, 
flags, heraldry, or the Philippine Vice-Presidency; 
 
b. Use in libraries, museums, or educational facilities incident to descriptions 
or exhibits relating to coats-of-arms, seals, flags, heraldry, or the Philippine 
Vice-Presidency; 
 
c. Use as an architectural embellishment in libraries, museums, monuments or 
archives established to house the papers or effects of former or incumbent 
Vice-Presidents of the Philippines; 
 
d. Use by way of photographic or electronic visual reproduction in pictures, 
moving pictures, telecasts, or otherwise of bona fide news content; 
 
e. Such other uses for exceptional historical, educational, or newsworthy 
purposes as may be authorized in writing by the Office of the Vice-President. 
 
Furthermore, the use of stationery, business cards, identification cards, or any 
other items containing the Coat-of-Arms, Seal and/or Flag of the Vice-President of the 
Philippines, or any likeness or substantial part thereof, by person other the Vice-
President of the Philippines is strictly prohibited. 
 
SEC. 20. Permanent Office and Official Residence. - The Office of the 
Vice-President shall establish a permanent office, including an official residence for the 
Vice-President. It shall be adequately staffed and provided with appropriate security, 
equipment, furnishings, dining facilities, services, and other provisions to enable 
him/her to appropriately perform and discharge the Vice-President’s executive, 
ceremonial, and other functions.  
 
SEC. 21. Museum of the Vice-Presidents of the Philippines. - There shall 
be an official Museum of the Vice-Presidents of the Philippines that shall acquire, 
preserve, exhibit, and foster appreciation of the history of the Office of the Vice-
President. The Museum shall house memorabilia of all Vice-Presidents of the Republic 
of the Philippines.  
  
SEC. 22. Appropriations. - The amount needed to carry out the 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current appropriations of the 


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Office of the Vice-President. Succeeding funding requirements shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. Such appropriations must enable the Office of the 
Vice-President to achieve its mandate and exercise its powers and functions under this 
Act.  Appropriations for the Office of the Vice-President shall not be reduced below 
the amount appropriated for the previous fiscal year, and after approval, shall be 
automatically and regularly released. 
SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Office of the Vice-
President, the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service 
Commission shall promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations within seventy-
five (75) days upon the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this 
Act. 
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 26. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.