FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
52 
SEN 
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 5 provides: 
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. 
Millions of Filipinos live and work overseas while continuing to vote and pay taxes in the 
Philippines. They help in the economy and serve as economic, political and cultural 
"ambassadors" of the country. 
Hence, the National Statistics Office should undertake a census of all Filipinos residing 
abroad in a special census and eventually in regular censuses as they, albeit living abroad, 
deserve to receive the same benefits and privileges local residents get. 
This bill seeks to provide for an interim census of Filipinos residing abroad for the 
purpose of eventually including them in regular censuses.* 
* This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 .1111. 24 
j- 2 .> 1 
First Regular Session 
1 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM CENSUS OF FILIPINOS RESIDING ABROAD AND TO 
REQUJRE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS BE INCLUDED IN REGULAR CENSUSES 
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 “Census of Filipinos Abroad 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Census of Filipinos Residing Abroad. - 
(A) In General. - The National Statistics Office shall- 
(1) Take a special census of all Filipinos residing abroad on March within three 
hundred and sixty (360) days after the passage of this Act. 
(2) Submit the final tabulations under the special census to the President and 
Congress within nine (9) months after the date specified in paragraph (1), broken down 
into all appropriate categories, including - 
(a) Filipinos residing abroad affiliated with the Government, and their 
dependents; and 
(b) Filipinos residing abroad not affiliated with the Government, and their 
dependents. 
(3) The office, for purposes of facilitating the census scheme, shall: 
(a) Develop counting methodologies; 
(b) Define the purposes for which any information could or should be use; 
and 
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(c) Whether Filipinos residing abroad can be included in the regular 
census for purposes of the appointment of Representatives in Congress and, if so 
how that should be done. 
(4) Take appropriate measures- 
(a) To provide for the inclusion of Filipinos residing abroad in the next 
regular census and censuses thereafter; and 
(b) To make use of the information obtained from such censuses for such 
purposes as, and to maximum extent that, the office considers feasible and 
appropriate. 
(B) Interim Report on Special Census. - Not later than ninety (90) days after the 
enactment of this Act, the National Statistics Office shall submit to the committees of Congress 
having legislative jurisdiction over the census a report which shall include- 
(1) A summary of how the plans and preparations for carrying out the special 
census are proceeding; 
(2) A brief description or outline of how the tabulations in the special census are 
to be carried out; and 
(3) Information identifying any experts, consultants, interest groups, or other 
persons outside the office who were consulted in connection with the special census. 
(C) Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 5. Efsectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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