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Republic of the Philippi pare _07 SEP 2016
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI 8 al 7

Constitution Hills, Quezon City
BY: _—
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS}

First Regular Session REGISTRATION UNIT

BILLS AND INDEX SP2v!

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HOUSE BILL NO. 3582)

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH STO. NINO B. BERNOS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Ina report by no less than the Chief of Philippine National Police himself, more than 11,000
crimes have been reported in July 2016, which is 31% less than the 17,000 crimes reported for July
2015. This is a sign of a drastic change in the peace and order situation in our country, yet the said
number is still undesirable. We aim for a very minimum crime rate, if not a crime-free Philippines.

There is a need to involve the public in crime prevention, particularly in large ones like
terrorism and illegal drugs. After all, people in communities know their area better, for they have
created cordial relationships with their neighbors. Pieces of information are every now and then
shared as a means to update their friends on what is currently happening in their area. We seek to
harness these amicable relations to establish a localized network of information to benefit them
through tangible incentives and through intangible rewards like peace of mind and public safety

We are also invoking the continuously increasing online presence of many Filipinos to report
possible threats to national security and well-being of the people. We will rely on their social media
presence to help our law enforcement operatives arrest those who wish to harm innocent people
through criminal activities like terrorism and illegal drugs.

To this end, the Community Informant Reward Program secks to incentivize public
involvement in crime prevention by asking for the vital information that will lead to the capture of
these criminals. In light of the said explanation, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BIL

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPH STO. NINO B. BERNOS

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY INFORMANT REWARD PROGRAM AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 "COMMUNITY INFORMANT REWARD ACT

OF 2016".

See. 2. Declaration of Policy. Section 5 of Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution enunciates
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.

It shall be the policy of the State to engage its citizens in its initiatives and efforts to combat criminal
activities that hamper social development and threaten the national security, and accord incentives

to their involvement in dismantling these activities.

See. 3. Establishment of the Community Informant Reward Program. The Community
Informant Reward Program, herein referred to as the Program, shall be established for the purpose
of paying rewards, incentives, and other benefits to informants of certain crimes committed under the

Revised Penal Code and other special laws. It is designed to encourage the public to assist law


enforcement agencies by sharing vital information necessary for the prevention and resolution of

crimes.

Sec. 4. Scope of the Program. The Program shall give rewards, incentives, and other benefits to

individuals who furnishes information leading to:

a, The arrest or conviction of any person for the commission of an act of terrorism against the
Republic of the Philippines as defined under Section 3 of Republic Act 9372, otherwise known
as the “Human Security Act of 2002”;
b. The arrest or conviction of any person committing any of the unlawful acts enumerated in
Section 4, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002”;
¢. The identification or location of any person who holds a key leadership position in any terrorist
organization or narcotic syndicate, and the disruption of their financial transactions, including
the use by such organization or syndicate of the following, but not limited to, means to launder
money;
i. To finance terrorist activities or narcotics production or distribution;
ii, To finance acts of international terrorism or transnational narcotic trafficking; and
iii. To sustain or support any terrorist organization or transnational narcotic syndicate;
and
d. The arrest or conviction of any person for the commission of any crime punishable by life
imprisonment or higher.
Sec. 5. Coordination with Law Enforcement Agencies. The implementing agency of this Act
shall coordinate with the heads of different law enforcement agencies and shall promulgate the
necessary procedures that there shall be no duplication in obtaining information or evidence from
informants and in the payment of rewards. Henceforth, the implementing agency shall promulgate

procedures on the following:

a. Identifying persons, organizations, and offenses with respect to which reward will be offered;

‘b. Publication of rewards;


¢. Offering joint rewards with a foreign government
4d. Receipt and analysis of data; and
e. Approval of payment and disbursement of rewards
Sec, 6. Protection Measures. Upon determination of the sufficiency of the information supplied

and the identity of the recipient of the reward under this Act and of the members of immediate family

of the recipient, necessary steps shall be taken to protect them any harm brought by supplying such
information, including, but not limited to, protection under the Witness Protection Program of the

government.

Sec. 7. Forms of Rewards. Rewards to be given by the Program may be in the form of cash, and/or
any assistance in the form of educational, livelihood, medical and/or legal assistance. The Program
may also provide immunity from criminal prosecution related to the reported crime, without

prejudice to the Constitution and to the existing laws.

See. 8. Limitations. The reward to be paid under this Act, subject to certain parameters, shall not
exceed five million pesos (Php 5,000,000.00), except as authorized by the President, upon the
recommendation of the implementing agency that the offer or payment of a reward of a larger amount
is necessary to combat terrorism or to defend the nation against terrorist attacks. Furthermore, any
reward granted under this Act shall be approved and certified for payment by the implementing

agency.

Sec. 9. Ineligibility. An officer of law enforcement agencies or an employee of the Philippine
government or of a foreign government, who, while in the performance of official duties, furnishes
information described in Section 4 of this Act shall not be eligible to receive a reward from the

Program.

Sec. 10. Reports on Payment of Rewards. Within thirty (30) days after the payment of any
reward under this Act, the implementing agency shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees with respect to the payment of such reward. The report, which may be

rendered “CLASSIFIED” if necessary, shall specify the amount of the reward, the recipient thereof,


and the acts for which the reward was paid. The report shall also discuss the significance of the

information for which the reward was paid.

See. 11, Annual Reports. Within sixty (60) days after the end of the fiscal year, the implementing
agency shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees with respect to the
operation of the Program, The report shall provide information on the total amount expended during
the fiscal year to carry out and achieve the purpose of this Act, including amounts expended to

publicize the availability of rewards.

Sec. 12. Implementing Agency. The Department of Justice shall be the agency which shall take
care of planning, implementing, coordinating, and monitoring this Program. To aid in the creation of
the program, the DND shall enlist the assistance of the Philippine National Police, National Bureau
of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Immigration, and Anti-Money

Laundering Council. The Department shall prepare the annual report for the program.

Sec. 13. Appropriations. The funding necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be

included in the yearly budget allocation for the Department of Justice under the General

Appropriations Act.

Sec, 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of,

this act, the Secretary of the Justice shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the

implementation of this act.

See. 15. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid,

the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. Any law, decree, ordinance or administrative circular not consistent

with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

See, 17, Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication

in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,