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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 
J\JL -2 i';! 
First Regular Session 
1 
Senate Bill No. 
I I  
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In every day's news reports, a portion for missing persons has always 
been provided for. It seems that there is a ceaseless number of people missing, 
young and old alike. Although the media plays a big role in finding lost persons, 
it does not fully solve all cases of missing persons. 
It is for this reason that a Commission on Missing Persons is being 
recommended for creation. 
The Commission can focus in performing the 
functions that it is tasked to perform, thus, ensuring public safety for each and 
every member of the community. By the nature and character of the functions for 
which it is created, the Commission can guarantee to solve each and every case 
that will be brought to them because they can concentrate their time and effort in 
rendering their services in finding missing persons. 
The following are some of the notable functions of the Commission: 
1. 
to conduct investigation of missing persons whose whereabouts 
are unknown, upon its initiative or upon the request of an 
interested party; 
to evaluate and render corresponding reports on each of the 
cases and make recommendations to the party requesting the 
search, or to the DSWD for temporary shelter and assistance; 
to continuously review and evaluate Detective Operations to 
achieve specification of detective assignments as a measure of 
the accomplishment of investigation teams; 
4. 
to initiate policies and programs towards an effective 
communication system to aid the search of missing persons; 
and 
to devise a system 6f raising the consciousness of the people 
and for them to inform the Commission of persons who are 
found loitering about in public places, tramping or wandering 
about aimlessly. 
2. 
3. 
5. 
In view of the above, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
u e n a t o r  
I 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
1 
7 JU/. -2 1’7 i 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
CREATING A COMMISSION ON MISSING PERSONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Commission on Missing Persons. - In order to promote and 
ensure public safety of the community, there is hereby created a Commission to 
be known as the Commission on Missing Persons, hereinafter referred to as the 
“Commission”. 
SEC 2. Composition of the Commission. - The Commission shall be 
composed of the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission as Chairman, the 
Director General of the Philippine National Police, the Director of the National 
Bureau of Investigation, Chairman of National Police Commission and the 
Secretary of Social Welfare and Development as members and two (2) 
representatives from the private sector whose advocacy is on human rights. 
For actual attendance at regular meetings, the members of the 
Commission from the private sector shall receive a per diem of One Thousand 
Pesos (PI ,000.00) for every meeting actually attended. 
SEC 3. Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the 
following functions: 
1. 
to conduct investigation of missing persons whose whereabouts 
are unknown, upon its initiative or upon the request of an 
interested party; 
2. 
3. 
4. 
to evaluate and render corresponding reports on each of the 
cases and make recommendations to the party requesting the 
search or to the DSWD for temporary shelter and assistance; 
conduct research, before submitting the corresponding report or 
investigation, to support or back up the commendations; 
to monitor and supervise the investigation conducted by 
members of the police forces; 


5. 
to coordinate the activities of investigation teams with social 
workers of the DSWD in the case bf abandoned or maltreated I 
abused children and dependents; 
to continuously review and evaluate Detective Operations to 
achieve specification of detective assignments as a measure of 
the accomplishment of investigation teams; 
7. 
to call upon different agencies, government and non- 
governmental organizations, for assistance and service as it 
may require in the discharge of its responsibilities; 
6. 
8. 
to initiate policies and programs towards an effective 
communication system to aid the search of missing persons: 
and 
to devise a system of raising the consciousness of the people 
and for them to inform the Commission of persons who are 
found loitering about in public places, tramping or wandering 
about aimlessly. 
9. 
SEC 4. Composition of the Secretariat. - There shall be a Secretariat for 
the Commission headed by an Executive Director, to be appointed by the 
Chairman and approved by a majority of the members of the Commission. The 
Commission shall fix the compensation and allowances of the Secretariat in 
accordance with the Salary Standardization Law. 
SEC 5. Powers ofthe Commission. - The Commission shall have the 
power to make arrests, searches and seizures in accordance with existing laws 
and rules and shall likewise have the power to issue subpoena or subpoena 
duces tecum for the appearance of any persons for investigation. 
SEC 6. lrnplernenting Rules. - The Commission on Human Rights shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation 
of this Act. 
SEC 7. Appropriation. - The amount needed for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the Commission on Human 
Rights under the current annual General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such 
sum shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC 9. Separabilify Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such portions not effected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 


SEC 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,