FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Hous€itNo. __700

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create the Code Commission of the Philippines to review
and codify all existing laws.

Laws are important elements in the promotion and protection of the rights
and interests of our people. However, while our country has sufficient laws, they
are not fully implemented, and are often violated because many of our fellowmen
are not aware of the existence of certain laws. The need for an orderly
arrangement, convenience of ascertainment and publicity of these laws cannot
be overemphasized. A perfect and complete compilation of all our laws should be
institutionalized. Hence, this bill.

The Code Commission being proposed under this Act shall be tasked to
codify all Philippine laws. It shall publish in systematic form the whole mass of
existing laws according to topic or subject. The laws shall be made easily
accessible to all, allowing everyone to consult the law any time.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regutar Se: 3
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

_700

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
CREATING THE CODE COMMISSION OF THE PHILIPPINES TO REVIEW
AND CODIFY PHILIPPINE LAWS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Code

Commission Act of the Philippines.”

SEC. 2. Dectaration of Policy. — \t is the declared policy of the State to
promote and protect the rights of the people. Towards this end, a code
commission shall be created to review and codify all laws to make them easily

accessible to everyone.

SEC. 3. Objective. — The main objective of this Act is to establish a
systematic form of arranging, compiling and publishing the whole mass of
existing laws that will enable everyone to consult the law easily and conveniently

any time.



SEC. 4. Creation. — The Code of Commission of the Philippines is hereby
created, hereinafter referred to as the Code Commission, to review and codify aii

Philippine laws.

SEC. 5. Composition. — The Code Commission shall be composed of the

following:

a) Chairman — representative of the Philippine Judicial Academy;
b) Vice Chairman — representative of the Department of Justice;
c) Members:
4) One (1) representative from the University of the Philippines
Law Center ;
2) One (1) representative from the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines;
3) Two 2) representatives from the Association of Law Deans of
the Philippines; and
4) Seven (7) reputable practicing lawyers or professors with
extensive knowledge, training or expertise, respectively, in Civil,
Corporation, Criminal, Labor, Political, Remedial, and Tax Laws.
With the exception of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and representative
from the University of the Philippines Law Center who shall be appointed by their
respective agencies in their ex-officio capacity, the other members shall be

appointed by the President of the Philippines.

SEC. 6. Functions. — The Commission shall have the following functions:



a

Compile all existing laws;

b)

Arrange the statutes relating to each subject in a logical sequence;

°)

Bring together statutes and parts of statutes which, because of
similarity of subject matter, properly belong together,

d) Recommend modification, amendment or repeal of a law when
necessary;

e

Codify the laws;

f) Publish the laws in the most convenient and usabie form, using such
aids as numbering, cross referencing, tabling, indexing and sub-
indexing consistently as will best facilitate locating the law on any
subject,

g) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the

objectives of this Act.

SEC. 7. Term of Office. - The Commission shall complete its work and
shall submit the drafts of the codes with its recommendations to the Congress of
the Philippines not later than five (5) years from its full organization.

SEC. 8. Compensation. - The Chairman shall received a compensation
equal to that of a Department Secretary while the members shall receive a

compensation equal to that of an official next in rank to a Department Secretary.

The Chairman and members of the Code Commission may receive per
diem for every meeting actually attended at such amount to be fixed by the

Commission but not to exceed Two Thousand Pesos (P2,000.00) per meeting


SEC. 9. Office. - The Code Commission shall have its office in Metro
Manila and may hold meetings at such time and place within the Philippines, as

the Chairman may order in writing.

SEC. 10. Appointment of Officiais, Employees, etc. — The Chairman
shall appoint the personnel and fix their salaries or compensation in accordance
with existing laws, as he may deem necessary in the exercise and performance
of his duties. The Chairman may contract consultants or local experts: Provided,
That may consultant or local expert whose services was contracted by the
Chairman to provide technical and necessary assistance or conduct seminar and
trainings relative to codification of laws shall be entitled to reasonable

emoluments for their services as may be determined by the Code Commission.

SEC. 11. Other Bureaus, Offices or Agencies. - The Code Commission
is empowered to call on officials or employees of any bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the government to assist or otherwise extend their cooperation
to the Commission in connection with the performance of its functions to carry

out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 12. Termination. — Upon completion of its work and the submission
of its report not later than five (5) years from the date of its organization, the
Code Commission shall cease to exist and the services of the Chairman and the

members of the same and alll of the employees working under it shall terminate.


SEC. 13. Records and Documents. - All records and documents and
proceedings of the Code Commission shall be delivered to the National Library
for preservation or disposition by the latter. The other properties of the Code
Commission shali be disposed of in accordance with existing auditing and

accounting rules and regulations.

SEC. 14. Appropriation. — The sum of Ten Million (P10,000,000.00)
Pesos is hereby appropriated for the initial organization and operation of the
Commission. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its continued

operation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation.

Approved.