Republic of the Philippines 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The case of Carifio us. Commission on Human Rights (CHR) (GR No. 
96681, 02 December 1991) categorizes the CHR as a toothless tiger. It is neither a 
judicial nor a quasi-judicial body. It can only extend preventive measures, such as 
initiating applications in court for judicial writs and orders, conduct investigation 
and receive evidence of violations of human rights, among others. 
The above ruling is reiterated in the more recent case of Simon, Jr., et. a/. 
u. CHR, et. a/. (GR No. 100150,05 January 1994) which revisited the powers and 
functions of the CHR vis-&vis the implementation of Republic Act No. 7279, 
otherwise known as the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992. 
This case defined the parameters of the CHR's jurisdiction which is limited only 
to political and civil rights. It enumerated the cases over which the CHR can 
exercise jurisdiction without, however, regarding them as having preclusive effect 
but merely a matter of priority setting. 
Such ineffectiveness of the Commission to address the protection of 
human rights is blamed on the CHR's failure to prosecute reported cases of 
human rights violations due to the fact that it is tied up by existing law that 
provides the CHR only investigative and advocacy powers. However, Sections 18 
(11) and 19, Article XI11 of the 1987 Constitution reserves to Congress the 
authority and the power to give CHR "such other duties and functions" to 
perform and to provide "other cases of violations of human rights that should fall 
within the authority of the Commission", respectively. 
Hence, this bill basically seeks to strengthen the Commission by providing 
an effective and expanded structural and functional organization to meet the 
demands of human rights cases here and abroad. By providing the Commission 
with prosecutorial powers over delineated forms of human rights violations, it is 
hoped that the Commission will be able to meet the rising demands from victims 
of human rights violations and the general public for an effective and speedy 
resolution of all human rights cases filed with the CIIR. 
To make categorical the state policy that the CHR can exercise jurisdiction 
over cultural, economic and social rights ,is very important. It is to afford in 
general the CHR the unequivocal authority to step into cases involving rights 
excluded from the definition and scope of political and civil rights. It is meant in 
particular to erase all doubts brought about by the issue of whether or not the 
CHR can take cognizance of cases of demolition and resettlement pursuant to the 
UDHA. 


The prosecutorial power being sought to be granted is on the other hand 
meant to equip the CHR a significant power if only to realize its mandate under 
Article XI11 of the Constitution. It is unacceptable to forever regard CI-IR as a 
toothless or paper tiger if it is a State policy to secure, protect and guarantee the 
dignity of its citizens and to ensure the fulfillment of such citizens’ human rights. 
The grant of quasi-judicial powers will unclog the court dockets and 
further enhance specialization in the investigation and prosecution of human 
rights violation cases. 
Hence, on the basis of the foregoing and by virtue of Section 18, par. (111, 
and Section 19, Article XI11 of the Constitution, immediate passage of this 
proposed legislation is earnestly sought. 
FRANC6 G. ESCUDERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.No.' 2657 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION 
OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGNTS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Commission on Human 
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Rights Act." 
SEC. 2. State Policy on Human Rights. - The State values the dignity of every 
human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. 
SEC. 3. Dejinition of Term. - For purposes of this Act, unless the context 
indicates otherwise, the following terms shall mean as hereby defined 
Human Rights refers to the supreme, inherent, and inalienable right to life, 
dignity, and to self development. It is concerned with issues in areas of civil and 
political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, embodied in our 
Constitution and in conventions to which the Philippine Government is a state 
Party. 
Political Rights are those rights that enable the people to participate in sunning the 
affairs of the government either directly or indirectly. 
Civil Rights are those rights that the law enforces at the instance of private 
individuals for the purpose of securing to them the enjoyment of their means of 
happiness. 
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Economic and Social Rights are those rights that enable the people to achieve 
social and economic development, thereby ensuring h e m  their well-being, 
happiness and financial security. 
Cultural Rights are those rights that ensure the well-being of the individual and 
foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of national culture 
based on the principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and 
intellectual expression. 
SEC. 4. The Commission, composition and qualifications. - The Commission 
on Human Rights, also known as the Commission from hereon, is a collegial body and 
shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) Members who shall possess the following 
qualifications: 
a) Must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines; 
b) Must be holders of a college degree; 
c) Must be at least thirty five (35) years of age at the time of their 
appointment, with proven integrity and competence; 
d) Majority of whom, including the Chairman, must be members of 
the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for 
at least ten (10) years; 
e) Must have been involved in human rights protection and promotion 
activities; and 
f) Must not have been candidates for any elective position in the 
immediately preceding elections; 
SEC. 5. Appointnrent and Term of Office. - The Chairman and Commissioners 
shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments 
for a term of seven years without reappointment. The first appointees shall be subject to 
the transitory provisions provided hereunder. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only 
for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed or 
designated in a temporary or acting capacity. 
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SEC. 6. 
Prohibition and Disqualijication. 
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The Chairman and the 
Commissioners shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment. 
Neither shall they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active management or 
control of any business which in any way may be affected by the functions oftheir office, 
nor shall they be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or in 
any franchise or privilege, granted by the Government and its subdivisions, agencies or 
instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their 
subsidiaries. 
SEC. 7. 
Salary, Retirement and Other Privileges of the Chairman and 
Contmissioners. - The Chairman and Members of the Commission on Human Rights 
shall receive the same salary and privileges as the Chairman and Members, respectively, 
of the Constitutional Commissions, which shall not be decreased during their term of 
office. 
Likewise, they shall receive the same retirement benefits as that of the 
Constitutional Commissions as provided by law existing at the time of the expiration of 
their term of office. 
SEC. 8. 
The Chairman as Executive Officer - Powers and Duties. 
The 
Chairman shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, and shall: 
a) Execute and carry out the policies, decisions, orders and resolutions 
approved by the Commission; 
b) Direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the 
Commission; 
c) Sign appointments of subordinate officials and employees made by the 
Commission and enforce decisions on administrative discipline 
involving them; 
d) Make temporary assignments, rotate and transfer personnel in 
accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Law and the 
policies involving them; 
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Congress of the Philippines; 
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of the Commission; and 
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SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - The Commission on 
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human rights violations; 
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protection; 
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authority; 
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f) Monitor the Philippine government's compliance with international 
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obligations on human rights; 
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e) Submit an annual budget to the Commission for its approval and 
submission to the Department of Budget and Management and to the 
f) Delegate hidher authority, in whole or in part, to other officials of the 
Commission in accordance with Executive Order No. 292, otherwise 
known as the Administrative Code of 1987, and rules and regulations 
g) Perform such other functions as may be authorized by the Commission. 
Human Rights shall have the following powers and functions: 
a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of 
b) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights 
of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing 
abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal services to the 
underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need 
c) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office or agency in 
the performance of its duty; 
d) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or 
possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient 
to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its 
e) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities; 
g) Establish a continuing program of research, education and information 
to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights; 
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h) Issue clearances to members of the military, police and other law 
edorcement agencies for purposes of promotion andior appointment; 
and for such issuances, collect fees therefore, subject to government 
accounting and auditing rules and regulations; 
i) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights 
and lo provide for compensation to victims of violations of human 
rights, or their families; 
j) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedures and cite for 
contempt for violations thereof in accordance with Rules of Contempt; 
k) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and 
1) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. 
SEC. 10. Quasi-judicial Powers of the Commission. - In addition to the powers 
and functions conferred upon the Commission by the Constitution and pursuant to Section 
18 (11) and Section 19 of Article XI11 thereof, the Commission is hereby vested with 
primary original and exclusive jurisdiction to investigate the criminal and administrative 
aspects of human rights cases per se, involving civil, political, economic, social and 
cultural rights, except cases falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Department of 
Justice and the Ombudsman. 
Specifically, such jurisdiction shall extend over, but not be limited to, human rights 
cases where the violation of law or acts complained of is: 
a) Tantamount to summary and/or extrajudicial execution (salvaging), or 
cases of disappearances; 
b) A deprivation of a person's right to a fair and public trial; 
c) A willful disregard of the rights of a person under custodial 
investigation; 
d) A deprivation of the rights of political detainees; 
e) An illegal demolition, arbitrary eviction or disposition of residential 
houses or units; 
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f) A violation of international conventions and international instruments 
ratified by the Philippine government relating to human rights; 
g) Committed by any person or group of persons in the name of or for the 
advancement of the cause of an organization for political purposes, for 
religious beliefs or because of cullma1 or ethnic causes whereby a 
person or group of persons are duly injured or killed or deprived of 
liberty, property, and the free exercise oftheir civil and political rights. 
The offender shall also be liable for the injury and death caused by 
his/her or their acts as fined and punished under existing laws; 
h) Tantamount to a denial of the rights to return to one’s country; 
i) Tantamount to a denial of the rights to seek and enjoy asylum from 
persecution pursuant to Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights; and 
j) Tantamount to unlawful discrimination. Such discrimination shall 
cover, but not be limited to, cases where the violation of law or acts 
complained of is: 
i. Related to age, sex or disability; 
ii. Access by the public to places, vehicles and facilities; 
iii. Right to housing, land and other accommodation. 
Subject to the essential requirements of due process, it shall not be bound by 
technical rules of procedure and evidence but shall proceed to hear and decide human 
rights cases or controversies in a most expeditions manner, employing all reasonable 
means to ascertain the facts of every case in accordance with justice and equity and the 
merits of the case. Toward this end, it shall adopt uniform rules of procedure to achieve a 
just, expeditious and inexpensive determination of every action or proceeding before it. 
The Commission shall have the power to grant preliminary injunctions or 
restraining orders, upon verified motion or of so prayed for in the complaint, when it is 
established on the basis of sworn allegations that the acts complained of, if not enjoined, 
would cause some grave and irreparable damage or injury to any of the parties in interest. 
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No inferior Court in the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any restraining order or 
writ of preliminary injunction against the Commission or any of its duly authorized and/or 
duly designated officer(s) in any case or controversy pending before it in the exercise of 
its judicial function. 
It shall have the power to Summon the parties and witnesses to a controversy, 
administer oath, take testimony in any investigation or hearing before it, issue subpoena 
ad fesfiflcandum and subpoena duces tecum andlor delegate such power to any official of 
the Commission who shall be a member of the Philippine Bar. It has the power to require 
submission of reports in relation to cases before it, compel the production of books 
documents and answers to interrogations, to enforce and execute its decisions, directives, 
orders, writs, and instructions tlxongh sheriffs or other duly deputized officers which shall 
have precedence over those emanating from any other authority except the Supreme Court 
or the Court of Appeals and those issued in habeas corpus proceedings. 
It shall have the powers to punish direct and indirect contempt in the same manner 
and subject to the same penalties, as provided in the Rules of Court. Any violation of any 
final and executory decision, order or ruling of the Commission'shall constitute contempt 
thereof. 
Any controversy, matter andor case brought before the Commission shall, after 
compliance with the requirements of due process, he immediately heard and resolved 
within sixty (60) days from the date of its submission for decision q u o r  resolution. No 
decision or resolution shall be rendered by the Commission unless taken up in a formal 
session en bane properly convened for the purpose. 
The Commission shall ProTplgate its rules of pmcedure for the effective exercise 
or performance of its powers, fimctians, and duties. It shall provide for a mechanism for 
alternative dispute resolution in pertinent cases. The rules of procedure shall include a 
provision whereby the Rules of Court are made suppletory. The rules shall take effect 
after fifteen days following the completion of their publication in the Official Gazette or 
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in two (2) newspapers of national circulation in the Philippines, one ofwhich is printed in 
the national language. 
SEC. 1 1. Exception. in Relation to Etnploy~nent Mattem. - Nothing in Section IO 
of this Act shall prevent different treatment based on sex, age, religion or a political nature 
where: 
a) The work involves national security; 
b) The different treatment based on sex or age is a genuine occupational 
qualification for the position of employment; 
c) The position needs to be held by one sex to preserve reasonable 
standards of privacy; 
d) The different treatment is based on sex, race, ethnic or national origin 
where the position is that of a counselor or highly political or personal 
matter; and 
e) The different treatment is where the duties of the position are to be 
performed on the nature of those duties, or of some of them, i s  such 
that the person could perform those duties only wit6a risk of harm to 
that person or to others; 
f) Where the position required a particular age group as a genuine 
occupational qualification for the position. 
SEC. 12. Exceptions. - The Commission shall not conduct the necessary 
investigation of any act or omission coinplained of if it believes that: 
a) The complaint has an adequate remedy in another judicial or quasi-judicial 
body; 
b) The complaint pertains to a matter outside the jurisdiction ofthe CHR; 
C )  The complaint is trivial, frivolous, vexatious or made in bad faith; 
d) The complainant has no sufficient personal interest in the subject matter of 
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e) The complaint was filed after one (1) year from the act or occurrence of the act 
or omission complained of. 
f) The complainant is forum shopping 
SEC. 13. Preventive Suspension. -- The Commission may preventively suspend 
any government officer or government employee pending an investigation, if in its 
judgment: (a) the evideiice of guilt is strong; (b) the charges would warrant removal 
from the service, and (c) the respondent’s continued stay in office may prejudice the case 
filed against him. 
The preventive suspension shall continue until the case is terminated by the 
Commission but not more than three (3) months without pay, except when the delay in 
the disposition of the case by the Commission is due to the fault, negligence or petition 
of the respondent, in which case the period of such delay shall not be counted in 
computing the period or suspension herein provided. 
SEC. 14. Damages. - The Commission may award damages to complainant(s) 
chargeable against respondent(s) for breach of any of the provisions or this Act in 
respect to any one or more of the following: 
a) Pecuniary loss; 
b) Loss of any benefit, whether or not of monetary kind; 
c) Humiliation, loss of dignity, or injured feelings of the aggrieved person. 
The Commission may award damages to respondent($ chargeable against 
complainant(s) for complaints that are trivial, frivolous, vexations or made in bad faith. 
SEC. 15. Duty to Render Assistance to the Commission on Hnman Rights. - 
Any officer or employee of any department, bureau or ofice, subdivision, agency or 
instrumentality of the Government, including government-owned or controlled 
corporations and local government, when required by the Commission shall render 
assistance to the Commission on Human Rights. 
SEC. 16. Obstruction. - Any person who, after hearing, is found to have 
willfully obstructed or hindered the proper exercise of the functions of the Commission 
on Human Rights, or who willfully misleads or attempts to mislead the Chairman, the 
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Commissioner and the duly delegated Commission lawyers in replying to their queries 
shall be cited for contempt in accordance with the Rules of Court. In addition, he shall be 
penalized by a fine o€not exceeding Twenty Fivc Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00), at the 
discretion of the Commission. 
SEC. 17. Penalties. - Any person found guilty of any human rights violation shall 
be punished with suspension or removal from the office, disqualification from holding 
public office or public trust, if the offender is a public official, or by a fine of not 
exceeding Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00), or both at the discretion of the 
Commission. This is without prejudice to whatever liabilities he may have incurred under 
the Revised Penal Code or any other laws. 
SEC. 18. Transmittal/lPublication of Resolution. - Eveiy case to which the 
Commission has readied a resolution or recommendation adverse to a public official or 
agency shall be transmitted to the head of the department, agency or instrumentality, or of 
the province, city or municipality concerned for such immediate actions as may be 
necessary. 
SEC. 19. Judicial Review. - Any resolution, order and/or ruling of the 
Commission on all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights, as 
well as violations of economic, social and cultural rights as provided in this Act, may be 
brought to the Court of Appeals by certiorari within fifteen (15) days from receipt of a 
copy thereof. 
The findings of facts of the Commission shall be final and conclusive if based on 
substantial evidence. 
SEC. 20. Appeals. - An appeal from the resolution, order or ruling of the Court o€ 
Appeals shall be by petition for review with the Supreme Court within a non-extendible 
period of fifteen says from receipt of a copy of the said decision. 
SEC. 21. Monitoring Function. - The Commission, under its monitoring 
function, shall investigate motu proprio, the Philippine government's compliance with 
international treaty obligations on human rights. The Commission shall then remind the 
heads o€ departments, agencies or offices of said treaty obligations. 


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SEC. 22. Structural Organization. . - The Commission shall have the following 
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line offices and operating units: 
a) Office of the Chairman and Commissioners; 
h) Office of the Assistant Commissioners, OEce of the Executive Director and 
the Commission Secretariat; 
c) Clerk of the Commission; 
d) Legal Office; 
e) Field Operations Office; 
f, Public Information office; 
g) Education and Training Office; 
11) Information System Management Office; 
i) Assistance and Visitorial Office; 
j) Planning and Management Office; 
k) Financial Management Office; 
1) Forensic Office; 
m) Sectoral Rights Offices; 
n) General Administrative Service Office; and 
o) Regional Offices. 
Each of the above line offices and operating units, except for the O€fices of the 
Assistant Commissioners, Executive Director and Commission Secretary, shall be headed 
by an officer with an equivalent rank and salary and privileges of a Director IV. Each 
office may have such divisions as are necessary to carry out their respective functions. As 
an independent constitutional office, the Commission may effect changes in the 
organization as the need arises. 
All officers and employees of the Commission, unless otherwise provided herein, 
shall receive salaries and privileges that shall not be less than those given to comparable 
positions in any office in the government. 
SEC. 23. The Assistant Commissioners - There shall he ten (10) Assistant 
Commissioners, including the Executive Director and the Cornmission Secretary. Eight of 


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whom shall be responsible for sectoral concerns on human rights. The Assistant 
Conimissioners must be with proven integrity and competence, has been in the actual 
practice of human rights promotion and protection for five (5) years. Heishe shall have 
the rank and salary and privileges of a Director V. 
SEC. 24. The Executive Director - The Executive Director shall be responsible 
for managing the day-to-day affairs, activities and operations of the Commission, in 
accordance with its policies and instruction; she/he shall have general supervision over all 
line and staff offices, regional offices and personnel; and, shehe shall perform such other 
duties and functions as the Commission may assign to her/him. 
The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Commission and shall be a 
member of the Philippine Bar with proven integrity and competence, has been in ihe 
actual practice of law for five (5) years and/or has held any position in the government 
requiring the qualifications of a lawyer prior to her/his appointment, and has been 
involved in human rights promotion and protection activities. ShekIe shall have the rank 
and salary and privileges of an Assistant Commissioner. 
SEC. 25. The Commission Secretary. - A Commission Secretariat shall provide 
executive services to the Commission on its regular, special and executive meetings, 
assistance on policy review and coordination, review and appraisal of the programs and 
other project undertakings of the Commission and technical support on the formulation of 
guidelines, directives, mandates and executive summaries and reports of the Commission. 
In addition, this office shall assist in the establishment, promotion and coordination of 
inter-agency network with local and international private and public organizations 
concerned with human rights problems and also, undertake special studies and researches 
on the country’s human rights plans and international commitments. 
The Commission Secretary, appointed by the Commission, shall be a holder of any 
master’s degree, with proven integrity and competence, must have at least three ( 3 )  years 
experience in management services and technical assistance work or its equivalent 
position in the government aid has consistently been involved in human rights promotion 
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activities. He/She shall have the rank and salary and privileges of an Assistant 
Commissioner. 
SEC. 26, Clerk of the Commission. - The Clerk of the Commission shall be 
appointed by the Commission who shall be a member,of the Philippine Bar, and who shall 
have been in actual practice of law for five (5) years, or has held during the same period 
any position in the government requiring the qualifications of a lawyer. He shall receive 
the rank and salary of a Director IV. 
The Clerk of the Commission shall take charge of the case docket of the 
Commission as a quasi judicial body and supervises the administration of and records of 
cases related to human rights violations. 
SEC. 27. Duties and Functions of the Offices of the Commission. - The 
different offices of the Commission provided in Section 15 of this Act shall operate in 
accordance with their respective duties and functions assigned them by the Commission 
subject to requirements of efficiency, economy and effectiveness, and pertinent budget 
and civil service laws, rules and regulations. 
SEC. 28. Regional Offices. 
- The Commission shall have seventeen (17) 
regional offices established by law, with two regional offices for Region IV and including 
the National Capital Region (NCR), the Caraga Administrative Region, Cordillera 
Administrative Region (CAR) and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 
Each Regional Office shall be headed by a Regional Human Rights Director, who 
must he a lawyer, assisted by an Assistant Regional Human Rights Director, and such 
other subordinate officers or employees as the Commission may appoint. The Assistant 
Regional Human Rights Director shall carry the rank and receive the same salary and 
privileges of Director 111. 
The Commission may delegate its powers and functions or order the 
implementation or enforcement of its orders, rulings or decisions through the heads of its 
regional offices in accordance with rules and regulations to he promulgated by the 
Cornmission. 
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SEC. 29. hpZementing Rides arrdXegul~t~otcs. - The Commission, shall, within 
sixty (60) days from the approval of this act formulate the implementing rules and 
procedures which shall include, hut not limited to, the functions and duties of the assistant 
commissioners, the executive director, the commission secretary and the heads of the line 
offices, the procedure for investigation and such other matters necessary for the 
implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 30. Franking Privilege. - All official mail matters and telegrams of the 
Commission addressed €or delivery within the Philippines shall be received, transmitted 
and delivered free of charge by the Philippine Postal Corporation, Provided, that such 
mail matters when addressed to private persons or non-government offices shall not 
exceed one tlionsaud and twenty (1,020) grams. All mail matters and telegrams sent 
through government telegraph iacilities containing complaints to the Commission on 
Human Rights shall be transmitted free of charge, Provided, that the telegram shall 
contain not more than one hundred and fifty (150) words. 
SEC. 31. Appropriations. - Such sums as may he necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act for 
the year following the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 32. Fiscal Autonomy. - The Commission on Hman Rights shall be 
independent and shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Commission may 
not he reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the previous years 
and after approval shall be automatically and regularly released. 
Fines, penalties, fees, charges and other collections made by the Commission shaII 
form part of its funds. 
SEC. 33. Transitory Provisions. - In order to properly implement the provisions 
of this Act, the terms of office of the Chairman and the members shall be as follows: of 
those first appointed, the Chairman shall hold office for seven (7) years, two (2) Members 
for five (5) years and the other two (2) Members for three (3) years without 
reappointment. Thereafter, all Members of the Commission will hold office for seven (7) 
years without reappointment. 
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Provided that, nothing in this Act shall prejudice the positions, emoluments, 
security of tenure and other privileges enjoyed by the incumbent officers and employees 
of the Commission before the implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 34. S e p a r a k y  Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and binding. 
SEC. 35. 
Repealing Clause. - 
All laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
instructions, executive orders, rules and reidations insofar as they are inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed or amended, as the case may be. 
SEC. 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation or in the Official 
Gazette. 
Approved, 
15