TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. S54
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25 AUG -4 P5 38
Rl'CFf'.'ED BY: 
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Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION 
COMMISSION FOR THE BANGSAMORO, ESTABLISHING A TRANSITIONAL 
JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION PROGRAM FOR THE BANGSAMORO, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
After seventeen years of negotiations which began in 1997, the Comprehensive 
Agreement on the Bangsamoro was signed between the Government of the Philippines 
and the Moro Islamic Liberation (MILF) in March 2014. As contained therein, the 
Agreement ends the armed hostilities between the two Parties and promotes peace 
and stability on the region.
Integral to the Agreement is the Annex on Normalization signed on 25 January 
2014. Apart from the decommissioning of forces, disbanding of private armed groups 
and socio-economic development programs, it stipulates the institution of a program 
for transitional justice "to address the legitimate grievances of the Bangsamoro 
people, correct historical injustices and human rights violations." For this purpose, a 
Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) was created to undertake 
a study and recommend to the panels appropriate mechanisms.


Foremost among the TJRC recommendations is the establishment of a National 
Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission which shall have the following 
tasks1;
1) To listen to the victims of the conflict, to investigate serious violations of 
international human rights and international humanitarian law, and to 
inquire into specific events of the war;
2) To contribute to the resolution of outstanding land disputes in conflict- 
affected areas in the Bangsamoro and to address the legacy of land 
dispossession with concrete measures to provide redress;
3) To engage in the struggle against impunity, by promoting accountability 
and strengthening the rule of law in relation to past and present 
wrongdoings, including crimes identified under the Rome Statute and under 
international conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory; and
4) To promote healing and reconciliation among different communities 
affected by the conflict.
This legislation, which was reported out by the Senate Committee on Local 
Government during the 19th Congress, aims to give life to the proposed body in 
accordance with and towards the full implementation of the peace pact.
Notwithstanding the national government's manifestation of commitment with 
the issuance of Executive Order No. 79, s. 20192 which created the Inter-Cabinet 
Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) to ensure timely, appropriate and 
efficient delivery of the Normalization Program, an independent Commission focused 
on the specific aspect of transitional justice and reconciliation will be crucial to 
adequately and holistically look into and rectify systemic forms of injustice, neglect 
and marginalization.
1 Report of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission. 2016. Accessed through; 
https://cdn.viiworksdemo.com/download/zi56-TJRC%20Report%20-
%20second%20print%20(Mav%202016).pdf
2 Implementing the Annex on Normalization under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.


In view of sustaining the gains achieved since the signing of the CAB, forging 
a lasting peace for the country, and realizing national unity and inclusive development, 
the passage of this measure is recommended.
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
854
■ 
(il :i; • 2r
25 BUG -4 P5.38
a
RfCfclVtD BV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION 
COMMISSION FOR THE BANGSAMORO, ESTABLISHING A TRANSITIONAL 
JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION PROGRAM FOR THE BANGSAMORO, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " TransitionaUustice and
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Reconciliation Act for the Bangsamord'.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to
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actively seek and promote a long-lasting sustainable peace, reconciliation, and
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development in the Bangsamoro region. In view thereof, the State shall create and
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implement a comprehensive program that aims to address the rightful grievances of
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the Bangsamoro people, correct historical injustices, and redress human rights
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violations, including gender-based violence and marginalization related to land
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dispossession. The State shall likewise ensure the non-recurrence of such injustices
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and violations.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a) Historical Injustices - refer to acts committed, and transactions entered into
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by state and non-state actors with and against the Bangsamoro and other
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inhabitants of the Mindanao and Sulu archipelago that have placed the
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Bangsamoro people at a political and economic disadvantage and, while
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having occurred in the distant past, continue to impact their lives today.


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b) Land Dispossession - includes the dispossession by ostensibly lawful means,
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such as the implementation of public land laws, but may have been attended
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by force, duress, intimidation, stealth, and deception.
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c) Marginalization - refers to the political and economic disenfranchisement
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that the Bangsamoro people and other inhabitants of the Mindanao and Sulu
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archipelagos have suffered due to unjust national laws, programs, policies,
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as well as government neglect, and failure to address destructive and
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exploitative actions of non-state actors.
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d) Transitional Justice - refers to the full range of process and mechanisms
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associated with a society's attempts to come to terms with a legacy of past
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abuses, through the promotion of truth, justice, reparation, and the
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guarantee of non-recurrence in order to ensure accountability, serve justice
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and achieve reconciliation which include criminal prosecution, truth telling,
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reparation programs and institutional reform.
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e) Legitimate Grievances - refer to grievances that are rooted or grounded on
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objective conditions and circumstances like land dispossession, poverty,
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unemployment, widespread discrimination and abuses, ethnic dominance,
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inter-group hatred, political/economic exclusion, and gender violence or
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injustice.
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Sec. 4. Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Program for the Bangsamoro. -
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There is hereby established a Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Program for the
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Bangsamoro, hereinafter referred to as the "Program," which shall address legitimate
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grievances of the Bangsamoro and Indigenous Peoples, historical injustices and
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human rights violation, including gender-based violence, and marginalization through
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land dispossession. The Program aims to:
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a) Provide venues for the victims of conflict to be heard, and mechanisms for
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the investigation of serious violations of international human rights law and
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international humanitarian law, and enable inquiries into specific events of
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the armed conflict;
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b) Contribute to the resolution of outstanding land disputes in conflict-affected
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areas in the Bangsamoro, and address the legacy of land dispossession with
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concrete measures to provide redress;


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c) Provide effective counteractions to impunity, by promoting accountability
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and strengthening the rule of law in relation to past and present
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wrongdoings, including crimes identified under international conventions to
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which the Philippines is a signatory; and
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d) Promote healing and reconciliation among the different communities
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affected by the conflict.
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Sec. 5. National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission on the
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Bangsamoro. - There is hereby created a National Transitional Justice and
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Reconciliation Commission on the Bangsamoro, hereinafter referred to as the
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"Commission" under the Office of the President. The Commission shall design its
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strategy, program, and mechanisms, and iead the implementation thereof. The
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Commission shall adopt its own operational guidelines, internal organizations, and
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rules of procedure. In formulating its strategy, the program, and its mechanisms, the
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Commission shall be guided by a framework of dealing with the past that respects,
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protects, and fulfills the right to truth, right to justice, and right to reparation of the
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victims and ensure the non-recurrence of any violation. For this purpose, the
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Commission shall adopt its own operational guidelines and rules of procedure.
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Sec. 6. Composition. -The Commission shall be composed of five (5) regular
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members headed by a Chairperson, at least two (2) of whom shall be women, and
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two (2) ex-officio representatives from civii society organizations, of whom one (1)
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shall be a woman, who shall sit as non-voting members of the Commission. The
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President shail appoint all members of the Commission: Provided, That the two (2)
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ex-officio representatives shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the civil
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society organizations.
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Sec. 7. Qualifications of the Regular Members of the Commission. - The
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members of the Commission shail possess professional and ethical competence, and
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shall have the following qualifications:
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a) A naturai-born citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;
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b) Of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence; and
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c) Has distinguished himself/herself in the field of conflict resolution,
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peacebuilding, human rights, and other related heads of expertise.


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Sec. 8. Powers and Functions. - The Commission shall have the following
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powers and functions:
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a) Conduct nationwide information, education, and dissemination program for
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the popularization of the rationale and principles of transitional justice and
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reconciliation, as well as its implementing mechanisms;
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b) Investigate, study, and recommend measures for the resolution of cases of
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individuals and communities adversely affected by armed conflict, serious
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violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including
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gender-based violence and outstanding land disputes in the conflict-affected
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areas, generally and as provided in the mandates of the sub-commission.
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Pursuant to this, the Commission and its sub-commission may take the
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testimony or receive evidence, administer oath, summon witnesses, and
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require the production of documents by subpoena duces tecum;
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c) Determine the factors that contribute to impunity in relation to past and
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present wrongdoings, including their differential effects on men and women;
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and recommend appropriate actions to dismantle impunity, promote
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accountability, and strengthen the rule of law;
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d) Coordinate with the public and private sectors in the formulation of short,
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medium, and long-term programs under a comprehensive approach to
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transitional justice and reconciliation;
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e) Call upon civil society and other citizens' organizations for their assistance
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in promoting awareness of transitional justice and reconciliation, in reporting
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cases of violations and injustice, in contributing to an agenda towards
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peacebuilding and normalization, and in developing a robust monitoring and
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feedback mechanism for transitional justice and reconciliation programs;
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f) Call upon other government agencies, including government-owned and
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controlled corporations and government financial institutions, for any
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support it needs to carry out its mandate;
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g) Submit to the President recommendations for further action, including
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proposed bills on matters requiring legislative actions, when necessary, to
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fully implement its proposals and programs; and


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h) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the effective
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discharge of its mandate.
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Sec. 9. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - Within three (3) months
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from the creation of the Commission, the organizational structure and staffing pattern
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shall be formulated and finalized in coordination with the Department of Budget and
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Management. To assist the Commission in the performance of its duties, four (4) sub-
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commissions are hereby created, which shall deal with specific aspects of transitional
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justice for the Bangsamoro:
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a) Sub-Commission on Bangsamoro Historical Memory which shall have the
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following specific functions:
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1) To contribute to confidence building in communities affected by the
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conflict through fact finding and truth seeking, while ensuring their
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protection, safety and dignity. In particular, the sub-commission shall
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listen to the testimony of victims in closed or public hearings, in order to
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collect witness statements and evidence related to specific violent
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events, with sensitivity to accounts of women who have been victims of
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gender-based and sexual violence;
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2) To investigate serious violations of international human rights and
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international humanitarian law, focusing, among others, on specific
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emblematic cases of mass atrocity crimes, of land dispossession, and of
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conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence to determine whether
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such forms of violence were practiced as a deliberate strategy of war in
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the Bangsamoro conflict;
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3) To publish series of reports on the results of its investigation and cases
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of international human rights violations, which include an analysis of the
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findings and recommendations related to individual, collective and
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symbolic forms of reparations, accountability for crimes committed,
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institutional reforms, and reconciliation; and
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4) To establish archives and databases on violations of international human
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rights and international humanitarian law in the Bangsamoro from 1948
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until the present, particularly a database of conflict-related human
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casualties.


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b) Sub-Commission against Impunity and on the Promotion of Accountability 
and Rule of Law in the Bangsamoro, which shall be responsible for the 
following:
1) To identify, investigate, and recommend policies, operational means, 
and concrete measures to address and overcome practices of impunity 
at all levels, whether of a technical, political or financial nature and 
whether related to past or present wrongdoings; and
2) To initiate and coordinate with relevant government agencies on 
disciplinary procedures against public officials who fail to cooperate or 
who obstruct justice and the rule of law.
c) Sub-Commission on Land Dispossession in the Bangsamoro, which is 
tasked:
1) To address issues related to land dispossession, use, and tenure in the 
conflict-affected areas in the Bangsamoro by developing or 
implementing a dispute resolution mechanism for land conflicts, 
including indigenous peoples' (IPs) claims on ancestral domains, and for 
identifying lands where there are competing claimants;
2) To create a database on actual land ownership in the Bangsamoro and 
on land dispossession that may be used to support legal proceedings 
and restitution or reparation programs, including public land application 
geospatial information database, cadastral, geo-tagged and community- 
based participatory mapping sets; and
3) To support the overall redesign of land services in the Bangsamoro by 
recommending changes in the legal framework and all procedures 
related to land titling, registration, taxation, and management, including 
claims of IPs on ancestral domains, for legislation.
d) Sub-Commission on Bangsamoro Healing and Reconciliation, which is 
responsible:
1) To identify and support traditional practices of reconciliation at the 
community level;
2) To develop and promote a meaningful process for national reconciliation 
with a view to encouraging cultural and attitudinal change;


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3) To support the other three (3) sub-commissions in the implementation
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of their mandate by shaping and promoting a reconciliatory vision for
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each of them.
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Each sub-commission shall cooperate with relevant national, regional, and local
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institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, in the exercise of its mandate.
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Moreover, each sub-commission shall ensure the meaningful participation of women
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in the processes that will be undertaken, taking into consideration their experiences
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relevant to the objectives of transitional justice.
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The sub-commissions shall ensure the involvement and participation of the
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Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) offices in its initiatives
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for transitional justice.
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Sec. 10. National Consultation Process. -The Office of the Presidential Adviser
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on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity shall propose to the President a selection and
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appointment process for the members of the Commission. This selection and
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appointment process shall include the appointment of a selection committee
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composed of representatives from the Bangsamoro Government, and the national,
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regional and local sectoral stakeholders. The selection committee, after its convention,
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shall select, from the pool of nominees, the persons who shall be included in the short
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lists of nominees from which the President shall appoint the members of the
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Commission. The selection committee and the Commission shall ensure the inclusion
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of women and people of Bangsamoro origin, including indigenous peoples in its
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membership, corresponding to representatives of national, regional and local
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stakeholders.
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The Commission, as it deems appropriate, shall likewise conduct national public
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consultations in the formulation of the implementing mechanisms of the Program.
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Sec. 11. Secretariat - The Commission shall organize its Secretariat that shall
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assist the performance of its functions and shall provide administrative and technical
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support. It shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the
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President. The Executive Director shall execute the policies and programs of the
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Commission and shall be responsible for the efficient and effective day-to-day
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management of the operations of the Commission.


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The Executive Director shall recommend to the Chairperson, for the approval 
of the Commission, the budget of the Secretariat, its staffing pattern, position 
classification and compensation scheme, and the appointment of its personnel subject 
to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
Sec. 12. TransitionaUustice and Reconciliation Forum. -The Commission shall 
actively engage with stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of its projects 
and programs. For this purpose, it shall convene a Transitional Justice and 
Reconciliation Forum which shall serve as the platform for stakeholders to monitor and 
support the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Program for the Bangsamoro.
Sec. 13. Duration. -The Commission shall operate for a period of six (6) years 
from the effectivity of this Act or upon completion of the purpose for which it was 
created, whichever comes first. However, it may continue to operate for additional 
three (3) years upon the approval of the President.
Sec. 14. Appropriations. - For the initial operating expenses of the Commission 
to carry out the mandate of this Act, the amount of One hundred million pesos 
(P100,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated to be charged against the unexpended 
contingency funds of the Office of the President. Thereafter, the amount needed for 
the operation and maintenance of the Commission shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
The Commission is likewise authorized to accept donations, contributions, 
grants, bequests, or gifts from domestic or foreign sources for purposes relevant to 
its mandate and functions, in accordance with applicable laws and rules and 
regulations subject to government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,