NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2440
^eiw;.r
of tlip « cretin-p
23 SEP 13 PI :21
RECEIVED BY: 
—
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
DEFINING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN 
RIGHTS AS A NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION (NHRI) AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is an independent office created 
under the 1987 Constitution to protect and promote the human rights of all persons 
within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad.
On 5 May 1987, under the Executive Order No. 163, s. 1987, CHR was created 
as the country's National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), to give effect to the State 
policy that "the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full 
respect for human rights." Its functions and powers are set forth in Article XVIII on 
Social Justice and Human Rights.
Over the course of 36 years, the CHR has carried out its fair share of wins and 
challenges through numerous legislations and judicial interpretations of its mandate. 
Persistent concerns and impediments on human rights in the country have constrained 
CHR in fully fulfilling its potential, particularly, in compliance with the Paris Principles 
on national institutions or the "Principles Relating to the Status of National Human 
Rights Institutions."
Regarded as a "toothless tiger,"1 the Commission has endured its limitations in
1 Hon, Isidro Carino & Erlinda Lolarga v. The Commission on Human Rights, et ai., R.A. No. 96681 
(1991).


rightfully carrying out its mandate within its jurisdiction. Hence, it is imperative to 
further strengthen its mandates, powers, and functions and clearly establish its 
cardinal role in cultivating a culture of human rights culture in the country.
This bill seeks to strengthen the CHR by providing an effective and expanded 
structural, operational, and functional independence, in order to meet the minimum 
requirement under the Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights 
Institutions. It also guarantees the CHR's full fiscal autonomy to ensure prompt, 
immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its functions. It defines the general powers 
and functions of the Commission, with full authority to act on a complaint or motu 
proprio, in all cases of human rights violations. In addition, it vests the CHR with the 
power to issue injunctive reliefs and legal measures.
A just and democratic country cannot be attained without a truly independent 
national human rights institution. Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, 
one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or cannot recognize violations of 
human rights other than those involving civil and political rights. We need a CHR that 
can address the challenge of protecting and promoting the human rights of all, 
especially the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized sectors of society.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
HOOD PADILLA
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 2440
Of tilf e ci'i' I
23 SEP 13 PI :21
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
DEFINING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN 
RIGHTS AS A NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION (NHRI) AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Commission on Human
2 
Rights (CHR) Charter."
3 
Sec. 2. State Policy on Human Rights. — The State values the dignity of every
4 
human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. It shall give the highest
5 
priority to the enactment of measures that respect, protect, and fulfill the right of all
6 
people to human dignity at all stages of human life.
7 
Sec. 3. Definition of Human Rights. — Human rights are the supreme,
8 
universal, inherent, and inalienable rights to life, dignity, and self-development of
9 
every person regardless of race, sex, gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion,
10 
or any other status. These rights include those guaranteed by the Philippine
11 
Constitution, domestic laws, and international human rights instruments such as, but
12 
not limited to, the international bill of rights, i.e., the Universal Declaration of Human
13 
Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International
14 
Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights; and all other existing and future
15 
human rights instruments to which the Philippines is a State Party.
16 
Sec. 4. The Commission as an Independent Office. — The independence of the


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Commission on Human Rights, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, shall always
2 
be respected and upheld. The Commission shall enjoy full fiscal autonomy.
3 
Appropriations for the Commission shall not be reduced and shall be automatically
4 
and regularly released.
5 
Sec. 5. The Commission as a Nationai Human Rights Institution. — The
6 
Commission is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of the Philippines in
7 
accordance with the Principies Reiating to the Status of Nationai Institutions (Paris
8 
Principles) and other United Nations (UN) Resolutions and Instruments pertaining to
9 
the effective functioning of NHRIs. As such, the State and all its agents shall ensure
10 
and respect the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles.
11 
Sec. 6. The Commission En Banc as a Collegial Body. — The Commission en
12 
banc, as a collegial body, is responsible for the promulgation of policies, decisions,
13 
orders, and resolutions necessary for the efficient administration of the Commission
14 
and for the proper execution of its constitutional mandate. Every policy, decision,
15 
order, or resolution of the Commission must bear the concurrence and signature of a
16 
majority of the Members.
17 
In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Commission shall sit and render
18 
its decision en banc, unless otherwise provided in an internal resolution, adopted by
19 
the Commission en banc. The Commission shall meet regularly. A majority of the
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Members shall constitute a quorum.
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Sec. 7. The Commission, Composition, and Qualifications. — The Commission
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shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) Members who must be:
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(a) Natural-born citizens of the Philippines;
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(b) At least thirty-five years of age at the time of their appointment;
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(c) With proven probity, integrity, and competence in the field of human
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rights work;
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(d) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving
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moral turpitude, and
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(e) Must not have been candidates for any elective position in the elections
30 
immediately preceding their appointment.
31 
A majority thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar, who have been
32 
engaged in the practice of law for at least ten (10) years. The composition must


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observe gender-balanced and pluralist representation, which shall be in accordance
2 
with the Paris Principles.
3 
Sec. 8. Appointment and Term of Office of the Chairperson and Members of
4 
the Commission. — The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall be
5 
appointed by the President for a term of seven years without reappointment.
6 
Of those first appointed under the enactment of this Charter, the Chairperson
7 
shall hold office for seven (7) years, two Members for five (5) years and the other two
8 
Members for three (3) years. The term of the Chairperson and Members shall start on
9 
the day immediately after the end of the previous one, regardless of the date of
10 
appointment. In no case shall any Chairperson or Member be appointed, reappointed,
11 
or designated in a temporary or part-time capacity. Appointment to any vacancy
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occurring during the term shail be oniy for the unexpired portion of the term of the
13 
predecessor.
14 
Vacancies in the offices of the Chairperson and of the Commissioners shall be
15 
filled within ninety (90) days from its occurrence.
16 
Sec. 9. Prohibition and Disquaiification. — The Chairperson and Members of
17 
the Commission shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment.
18 
Neither shall they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active
19 
management or control of any business, which in any way may be affected by the
20 
functions of their office, nor shall they be financially interested, directly or indirectly,
21 
in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the Government and
22 
its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or
23 
controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
24 
They shall avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. They shail not
25 
be allowed to appear or practice before the Commission within one year following the
26 
completion of their term of office, resignation, or any other manner of separation from
27 
office.
28 
Sec. 10. Structurai Organization. — The Commission shall have the following
29 
offices in the Central Office: Office of the Chairperson, Offices of the Commissioners,
30 
Office of the Executive Director, Office of the Commission Secretary, Planning and
31 
Management Office, General Administration Office, Financial Management Office,
32 
separate offices for the performance of its powers and functions, which shall include


1 
but not limited to offices for human rights protection services, human rights education
2 
and training services, human rights prevention and visitorial services, human rights
3 
policy advisory services, as well as regional offices and such other offices as the
4 
Commission may establish in accordance with its functions.
5 
The Commission shall have regional offices in every region, each of which shali
6 
be headed by a Regional Director and each shall have their own office building. The
7 
regional offices will include the geographically grouped regional offices and the
8 
Cordillera Administrative Region.
9 
The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the
10 
Commission and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the
11 
Commission En Banc, who shall have supervision and control of the said office.
12 
The Commission may affect changes in the organization as the need arises,
13 
Provided, that such reorganization shall be funded out of the personnel services
14 
appropriation of the Commission.
15 
Sec. 11. Powers and Functions of die Commission. — The Commission shall
16 
promote and protect all human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and
17 
cultural rights, and shall have the following general powers and functions:
18 
(a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, ail forms of
19 
violations of human rights;
20 
(b) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for
21 
contempt any person for vioiations thereof or its lawful orders and, for
22 
this purpose, the Rules of Court shall have suppletory application;
23 
(c) Provide appropriate legal and preventive measures, which include but
24 
not limited to the following:
25 
(1) Legal assistance and counseling to victims;
26 
(2) Directing concerned government agencies in giving
27 
protection to victims of human rights violations;
28 
(3) Issuing cease and desist orders; and
29 
(4) Petition the Court for Writ of habeas corpus, Writ of
30 
Amparo, Writ of Habeas Data, Writ of Kaiikasan, and any
31 
other protective writs, in behalf of the victims of human
32 
rights vioiations.


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(d) 
Provide legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights 
have been violated or need protection. Clients needing legal 
assistance/representation may also be referred to the Public Attorney's 
Office or Legal Aid Offices, as may be necessary and appropriate;
(e) 
Exercise unannounced, unhampered, unrestricted visits over jails, 
prisons, camps, custodial/detention or confinement facilities, safe 
houses, and similar places of deprivation of liberty as stated under Sec. 
16 of this Act;
(f) 
Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information 
to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights. The Commission 
shall coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Legal Education Board 
(LEB), Philippine Judicial Academy (PHIUA), and other State Colleges 
and Universities to ensure the objective of above stated;
(g) 
Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote and protect 
human rights;
(h) 
Recommend effective measures to provide compensation to victims of 
violations of human rights, or their families;
(i) 
Monitor the Philippine government's adherence to international treaty 
obligations regarding human rights, and actively oversee the 
compliance of government departments, bureaus, offices, and 
agencies to their international human rights commitments;
(j) 
Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or 
possession of documents or other evidence is necessary oi^nvenient 
to determine the truth in any investigation conducted byWor under 
its authority;
(k) 
Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency 
in the performance of its functions;
(l) 
Perform its Gender and Child Ombudsman roles, as well as to ensure 
that the status, rights, and interests of the marginalized and 
vulnerable sectors, are upheld in accordance with the Constitution, 
laws, and international instruments on human rights;


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(m) Issue human rights advisories, positions papers/opinions on all matters
2 
affecting the human rights of all persons, directed to concerned
3 
agencies of government for their consideration and implementation;
4 
(n) 
Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and
5 
(o) 
Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.
6 
Sec. 12. Investigative Powers and Functions. — The Commission shall
7 
investigate, on complaint or on its own, cases of human rights violations. In the
8 
exercise of its investigative function, the Commission shall:
9 
(a) Act promptly on reports or complaints, filed in any form, by any
10 
individual or organization. Findings of human rights violations shall
11 
include recommendations for appropriate remedies, and referral to
12 
proper government agencies for the filing of administrative, criminal,
13 
or civil actions. The recommendations may include proposals for
14 
legislative, administrative, or judicial reforms. The investigation and
15 
other proceedings conducted by any administrative, judicial, or quasi-
16 
judicial bodies shall not bar the investigation of the Commission on
17 
allegations of human rights violations;
18 
(b) Investigate alleged violations of human rights, international
19 
humanitarian law, and anti-terrorism law violations, as provided in
20 
pertinent laws;
21 
(c) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence,
22 
to place the witness under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas, and
23 
take testimony in any investigation or inquiry conducted by the
24 
Commission or any of its offices;
25 
(d) Employ forensic and medical sciences in making findings of human
26 
rights violations, including but not the limited to: collection of physical
27 
evidence from locations relevant to its investigation; assessment of
28 
living victims of human rights violations to determine their physical and
29 
mental well-being; and conduct independent examination of the
30 
remains of alleged victims to document any injury and to determine
31 
cause and manner of death. Pursuant thereto, the Commission shall
32 
have the authority to exhume and conduct autopsy on the aforesaid


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human remains, subject to the consent of the family of the deceased, 
if applicable;
(e) Provide psychosocial support, which includes but not limited to referral 
to primary health care centers with existing mental health programs to 
victims of human rights violations as well as human rights defenders 
under threat;
(0 Ensure provision of compensation for victims of human rights violations 
or their families, as appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the 
violation and the circumstances of each case, resulting from gross 
violations of international human rights law and serious violations of 
international humanitarian law;
(g) 
Provide safety to witnesses, as well as human rights defenders under 
threat. For this purpose, the Commission shall implement and manage 
a Witness Protection Service, which will provide security, shelter, 
relocation, and livelihood assistance to witnesses and their families, 
until such time the threat ceases, or when the case can be endorsed 
to the Depart of Justice and the witness, or person under threat 
qualifies for the latter's protection service.
The funding for the provision of compensation and for the Witness 
Protection Service shall be taken from the current year's appropriation 
of the Commission. Thereafter, the funding requirement shall be 
included in the annual GAA.
(h) 
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 authority;
(i) 
Cite for contempt of any person for violating the Commission's Rules 
of Procedures and lawful orders. In matters concerning contempt, the 
Rules of Court shall apply suppletory to the Rules of Procedures of the 
Commission; and
0) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary or 
incidental for the effective exercise or conduct of its investigative


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powers.
Sec. 13. Visitoria! powers. — The Commission or its duiy authorized 
representatives are hereby mandated and authorized to conduct regular, 
independent, unannounced, unhampered, and unrestricted visits to or inspection of 
all places of detention and confinement at any hour.
Places of deprivation of liberty refer to any place of detention, imprisonment, 
confinement, or the placement of a person in a public or private custodial or 
rehabilitative setting under or within the jurisdiction and control of the Philippines 
where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty by virtue of an order given by 
a public authority, at his/her instigation, or with his/her consent or acquiescence.
Sec. 14. Scope of Legal Measures. — In order to strengthen the exercise of its 
investigatory power, the Commission, including its Regional Offices, may issue the 
following legal measures as well as provisional remedies, which shall include, but not 
limited to:
(a) 
Mandatory Protection Orders (MPOs) directing government security 
forces and other government agencies or private institutions to provide 
specific protection to victims of and witnesses to human rights 
violations;
(b) 
Petition for the protection of the rights of persons, such as:
(1) Temporary liberty for medical examination especially for sick 
and/or pregnant persons deprived of liberty; and
(2) Such other legal remedies to correct government actions that 
encroach on or have the threat to violate human rights, such as 
petitionsAr certiorari, mandamus, and declaratory relief;
(c) 
Other remedies* relation to the protection of the rights of children 
such as, but not limited to:
(1) Actions for protective custody of minor-victims of violation of 
children's rights;
(2) Petitions for involuntary commitment, in coordination with the 
concerned social work and development office; and
(3) Petitions, motions, or pleadings to correct an error in the 
commitment, detention, and/or taking of custody of children in
8


1 
conflict with the law (CICL);
2 
(d) Mediation between parties on issues that are and can be subject to
3 
settlement.
4 
Sec. 15. Monitoring Functions. — In the exercise of its mandate to monitor the
5 
Government's compliance with its international human rights obligations, the
6 
Commission shall:
7 
(a) Monitor and advise government on its responsibilities and obligations
8 
under international human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a
9 
signatory;
10 
(b) Prepare its own independent reports to the UN, human rights treaty
11 
bodies, and other international human rights mechanisms, including
12 
the Universal Periodic Review and special procedures mechanisms, in
13 
relation to its monitoring of government's compliance with its
14 
international human rights obligation;
15 
(c) Make the appropriate recommendations to the concerned government
16 
agency with regard to requests for official visits of Special Procedures
17 
mandate-holders and other treaty and charter-based mechanisms;
18 
(d) Recommend ratification of, or accession to, international human rights
19 
instruments, and ensure their implementation;
20 
(e) 
Conduct inquiries on the manner of implementation by the
21 
Government of specific human rights obligations;
22 
(f) Request the cooperation of any public official on the measures
23 
undertaken by his or her agency to comply with the State's
24 
international human rights obligations;
25 
(g) 
Coordinate with relevant government agencies in terms of its
26 
compliance with international human rights obligations; and
27 
(h) Undertake other activities as may be necessary in the conduct of its
28 
monitoring and reporting function as an NHRI.
29 
Sec. 16. Other Monitoring Functions. — The Commission shall also monitor
30 
observance by non-state actors of human rights obligations arising from international
31 
and domestic laws or agreements entered into with the government, as well as
32 
unilateral declarations and simiiar undertakings.


1 
Violations of human rights committed by non-state actors that may be subject
2 
to the Commission's monitoring functions shall include, but not limited to:
3 
(a) Those committed by rebel groups in relation to international
4 
humanitarian law;
5 
(b) Those committed by persons, both natural and juridical, in relation to
6 
economic, social, and cultural rights, such as but not limited to labor,
7 
environment, and demolition of houses; and
8 
(c) Those committed by individuals in relation to violations of rights and
9 
protections of marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors.
10 
Sec. 17. Human Rights Education and Information. — The Commission shall
11 
establish a continuing program of education and information to enhance respect for
12 
the primacy of human rights through its education and promotion office, in line with
13 
the 1987 Constitution, domestic laws, applicable treaty obligations of the Philippines,
14 
and the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training.
15 
The Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Education and
16 
Training Program for law enforcement officers, education and training institutions, and
17 
other government agencies in coordination with the Department of the Interior and
18 
Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of
19 
National Defense (DND), the DepEd, CHED, LEB, PHIUA, and the Professional
20 
Regulation Commission (PRC) and all other concerned agencies.
21 
Likewise, the Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights
22 
Information Campaign Program for civil society and the general public.
23 
Sec. 18. Human Rights Institute. — The Commission shall establish a Human
24 
Rights Institute (HRI). It is an educational and training institute responsible for the
25 
promotion and education of human rights and related fields, with in-house capability
26 
in these areas of specialization. The Institute shall focus on formal education programs
27 
and shall offer certificate courses on human rights and related fields.
28 
Sec. 19. Functions of the Human Rights Institute. — The Institute shall have
29 
the following functions:
30 
(a) Serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices,
31 
judges, lawyers, and other human rights workers in government and
32 
civil society human rights organizations on human rights and related
10


1 
issues. For this purpose, it shall provide and implement curricula on
2 
human rights and shall conduct seminars, workshops, and other
3 
training programs designed to develop human rights knowledge, skills,
4 
attitudes, and behaviors;
5 
(b) Receive income, legacies, and donations for the benefit of the Human
6 
Rights Institute or for its support or maintenance, which shall be
7 
exempt from the payment of taxes and other fees and charges of the
8 
government, its branches and subdivision, and which shall constitute
9 
a special fund to be administered and disbursed exclusively for the
10 
Institute;
11 
(c) Enter into consortiums agreements with other educational and training
12 
institutes for the development and implementation of its programs on
13 
human rights education; and
14 
(d) Advise basic and higher education institutions and regulators on the
15 
teaching of human rights and related issues including recommending
16 
effective measures to promote human rights.
17 
Sec. 20. Annual Report. — The Commission shall prepare and make public an
18 
annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities with regard to the status of
19 
the government's compliance with its international human rights treaty obligations.
20 
The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
21 
(a) Recommendations for legal, legislative, and institutional reforms for
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the greater promotion and protection of human rights; and
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(b) Adoption and implementation by the concerned government agency of
24 
the recommendations on the protection and promotion of human
25 
rights contained in the Commission's policy issuances and case and
26 
investigation resolutions.
27 
The Commission shall directly submit its annual report to the Office of the
28 
President, the House of Representatives, and the Senate for consideration of the
29 
corresponding recommendations and if necessary conduct pubiic hearings pursuant
30 
to said report.
31 
Sec. 21. Legal Assistance Program. — The Commission shall maintain a Legal
32 
Assistance Program to benefit underprivileged victims of human rights violations,
11


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which may be in coordination with human rights organizations and lawyers' groups,
2 
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Public Attorney's Office, and the Philippine
3 
Association of Law Schools.
4 
Sec. 22. Protection of Filipinos Abroad. — The Commission shall undertake
5 
measures for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos living abroad
6 
in coordination and cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department
7 
of Migrant Workers, or deputize Philippine Embassy or Consulate officers, resident
8 
private individuals of known probity and active involvement in human rights, or
9 
foreign-based human rights and migrant workers' non-government organizations in
10 
countries where the incidence of human rights violations against Filipinos is
11 
widespread and commonplace, including traditional host countries of overseas Filipino
12 
workers.
13 
The Commission may establish multilateral relationships with other national
14 
human rights institutions for the protection of the human rights of Filipinos.
15 
Sec. 23. Security of Data. — All documentation and information collected by
16 
the Commission shall be kept strictly confidential unless the Commission decides
17 
otherwise in relation to a particular document: Provided, That no sensitive information,
18 
whether personal or otherwise, shall be published without the express consent of the
19 
individual or authority concerned: Provided further, That this provision shall be in
20 
accordance with all applicable existing and future laws, particularly, but not limited to,
21 
the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Publication of sensitive information without the express
22 
consent of the individual or authority concerned will be dealt with accordingly, which
23 
may include, but will not be limited to, being penalized under the Data Privacy Act of
24 
2012.
25 
Sec. 24. Franking Privilege. — The Commission may transmit through ordinary
26 
mail and/or registered mail with a return card, free of charge, all official
27 
communications and papers directly connected with the conduct of its duties,
28 
functions, or the exercise of administrative supervision over its personnel.
29 
Sec. 25. Financial Report. — The Commission shall make available to the public
30 
its annual financial statements and related financial reports as required by governing
31 
oversight agencies.
12


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Sec. 26. Appropriations. — The amount needed for the initial implementation
2 
of this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriations of the Commission.
3 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
4 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
5 
Sec. 27. Transitory Provisions. — Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the
6 
positions, emoluments, security of tenure, qualifications, privileges, and benefits of
7 
the incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Commission, and the officers and
8 
employees of the Commission upon its effectivity. However, officials and employees
9 
of the Commission, in aid of its reorganization upon the effectivity of this Act, may
10 
avail of an early retirement program as may be provided for by the Commission.
11 
Sec. 28. Impiementing Rules and Regulation. — The Commission shall, within
12 
sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, formuiate the impiementing rules and
13 
regulations in the exercise of its general, investigative, monitoring, education, and
14 
advocacy powers and functions in consultation with other concerned government
15 
agencies and stakeholders.
16 
Sec. 29. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
17 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall
18 
remain in force and effect.
19 
Sec. 30. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
20 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions
21 
of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
22 
Sec. 31. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
23 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general
24 
circulation.
Approved,
13