THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
'04 AUT 1 O P 4  :?LI 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13, provides: 
The State recognizes the vita1 role of the youth in nation building and shall 
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well- 
being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage 
their involvement in public and civil affairs. 
The potential of the youth to make lasting contributions to freedom's cause is 
unparalleled. 
Yet, some serious flaws have appeared in our social and cultural fabric, 
characterized by destructive behaviors among some of our youth, that are damaging our country 
and the ability of this generation to achieve its full potential. 
The purpose of this bill is to establish a National Commission on the impact of Filipino 
culture on the youth in order to investigate and make findings and recommendations with respect 
to - 
(I) the condition and status of contemporary youth compared to prior generations, with 
particular attention to family, neighborhood, school, scholastic attainment, work, and community 
involvement; 
(2) the nature, origin, and trends of antisocial and violent behavior among the youth; 
(3) the impact of western culture on the youth, through the pervasive influence of media; 
(4) recommendations for averting and reducing violence among the youth; and 
(5) recommendations for parents, families, non-governmental and private sector 
organizations, and local authorities in building positive developmental experiences among the 
youth. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILPPlNES 
) 
'04 Ail', 10 f4:"34 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE IMPACT OF FILIPINO 
CULTURE ON THE YOUTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Youth Commission Act." 
SECTION 2. Establishment. - There is established a commission to be known as the 
"National Commission on the Impact of Filipino Culture on the Youth" (hereinafter referred to 
as the "Commission"). 
SECTION 3. Duty of the Commission. - The Commission shall investigate and make 
findings and recommendations with respect to - 
(1) the condition and status of contemporary youth compared to prior generations, with 
particular attention to family, neighborhood, school, scholastic attainment, work, and community 
involvement; 
(2) the nature, origin, and trends of anti-social and violent behavior among the youth, 
including - 
(A) an analysis of the trends in violent acts in families, neighborhoods, and 
schools; and 
(B) the influence of organizations, other cultural elements, and individuals 
contributing to the incitement or encouragement of violent behaviors; 
(3) identification of successful initiatives that involve the youth in positive development 
and experiences that curb anti-social behavior among the youth; 


(4) the impact of western culture on the youth, including both its positive and negative 
effects on them; 
(5) recommendations for averting and reducing violence among the youth; and 
(6) recommendations for parents, families, non-governmental and private sector 
organizations, and local authorities in building positive developmental experiences among the 
youth. 
SECTION 4. Membership. - 
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT - The Commission shall be composed of eleven 
(1 1) members appointed as follows: 
(A) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(B) Two (2) members appointed by the Senate President. 
(C) Six (6) members appointed by the President. The members shall be specially 
qualified to serve on the Commission by reason of education, training, or experience. 
(D) The Chairperson of the National Youth Commission shall automatically sit as 
member in an ex officio capacity. 
(2) TERMS - 
(A) IN GENERAL - Each member shall be appointed for the life of the 
Commission. 
(B) VACANCIES - A vacancy in the Commission shalI be filed in the manner in 
which the original appointment was made. 
(3) BASIC PAY - Members shall serve without pay. 
(4) TRAVEL EXPENSES - Each member shall receive travel expenses, and 
reimbursement for actual expenses made pursuant to the discharge of his function as member of 
the Commission. 
( 5 )  QUORUM - Seven (7) members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 
lesser number may hold hearings. 
(6) CHAIR - The Chairperson of the National Youth Commission shall automatically be 
the Chair of the Commission. 


SECTION 5. Powers of the Cornmission. - (1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS - The 
Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and 
places, tale testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The 
Commission shall ensure that its hearings and sessions are open to the public, with significant 
opportunities for testimony from members of the general public. 
(2) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS - Any member or agent of the 
Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which the Commission is 
authorized to take by this section. 
(3) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA - The Commission may secure directly from any 
department or agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of 
the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall cooperate with 
the Commission in providing that information. 
(4) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES - Upon determination of the 
Commission, the National Youth Commission shall provide the administrative support services 
necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. 
SECTION 6. Report. - ( 1 )  INTERIM REPORT - The Commission shall transmit an 
interim report to the President and the Congress not later than one hundred eighty (180) days 
after the date the Commission is duly organized. 
(2) FlXTAL RI3PORT - The Commission shall transmit a final report to the President and 
the Congress not later than one (1) year after the date the Commission is duly organized. The 
final report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, 
together with its recommendation for legislation. 
SECTION 7. Termination. - The Commission shall terminate thirty (30) days after 
transmitting its final report pursuant to Section 6(2). 


SECTION 8. Authorization of Appropriations. - There is authorized to be appropriated 
such sum as may be tiecessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder o f  the law of 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 o f  general circulation. 
Approved, 
1905