HOUSE F ENT AR VES
RECEIVED

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 14 provides: The State
recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure
the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

The incidence of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault by
strangers and non-strangers, marital rape, and incest has steadily
increased in the past few years. Unfortunately, law enforcement
agencies are not successful in protecting women against violent
crimes because of the inadequacy of existing laws and the
underreporting of rape, sexual assault, and violent crimes due to
fear of reprisal. Hence, this bill seeks to establish a Task Force that
shall develop a uniform law enforcement strategy in order to
protect women against violent crime, punish persons who commit
such crimes, and enhance the rights of victims of such crimes."

Mi ISA Fe CUARESMA


SEVENTTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _ )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B.No.__ 2859

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO
RECOMMEND A UNIFORM STRATEGY TO PROTECT
WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME
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

"Violence Against Women Research Act."

SECTION 2. National Task Force on Violence Against Women. -
Not later than thirty (30) days after the date of enactment of this
Act, there shall be established a Task Force to be known as the
"National Task Force on Violence Against Women" (referred to in

this Act as the "Task Force"), which shall be created under the

Office of the President.


SECTION 3. Duties. -

(A)

(B)

a)

(2)

(3)

General Purpose of Task Force. - The Task Force shall
develop a uniform law enforcement strategy aimed at
protecting women against violent crime, punishing
persons who commit such crimes, and enhancing the
rights of victims of such crimes.

Duties of Task Force. - The Task Force shall perform such
functions as the President deems appropriate to carry out
the purposes of the Task Force, including:

Considering the reports of the Commission on Human
Rights, appropriate agencies, and other non-government
organizations;

Developing strategies for law enforcement designated to
protect women against violent crime, and to prosecute and
punish those responsible for such crime;

Evaluating the adequacy of sentencing, incarceration and
release of violent offenders against women, and making
recommendations designated to ensure that such offenders

receive appropriate punishment; and


(4) Evaluating the adequacy of the treatment of victims of violent
crime against women within the criminal justice system, and
making recommendations designed to improve such treatment.
SECTION 4. Membership. -

(A) In General. - The Task Force shall consist of up to nine (9)
members, who shall be appointed by the President not
later than sixty (60) days after the date of enactment of
this Act. The President shall ensure that the Task Force
includes representatives of law enforcement and groups
dedicated to protecting the rights of victims.

(B) Per Diem. - While away from their homes or regular
places of business in the performance of duties for the
Task Force, members of the Task Force shall be allowed
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
at rates authorized for employees of agencies under

existing law.


SECTION 5. Executive Director and Staff —

(A)

(B)

Executive Director. - The Task Force shall be headed by
an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the
President not later than thirty (30) days after the Task
Force is fully constituted under Section 2. The Executive
Director shall receive compensation at a rate not to exceed
the maximum rate of the basic pay payable under existing
law.

Staff. - With the approval of the Task Force, the Executive
Director may appoint not more than twelve (12)
individuals to serve as staff and fix the compensation of
such additional personnel as the Executive Director
considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Task

Force.

SECTION 6. Power of the Task Force. -

(A)

Hearings. - For the purpose of carrying out this Section,
the Task Force may conduct such hearings, sit and act at
such times and place, take such testimony, and receive

such evidence, as the Task Force considers appropriate.


The Task Force may administer oaths before the Task
Force.

(B) Delegation. - Any number of employees of the Task Force
may, if authorized by the Task Force, take any action that
the Task Force is authorized to take under this section.

(C) Access to Information. - The Task Force may secure
directly from any executive department or agency such
information as may be necessary to enable the Task Force
to carry out the provisions of this Act, to the extent access
to such information is permitted by law.

(D) Mail. - The Task Force may use the mails in the same
manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the government.

SECTION 7. Report. - Not later than one (1) year after the date
on which the Task Force is fully constituted under Section 2, the
Executive Director shall submit a detailed report to the Congress
on the findings and recommendations of the Task Force.

SECTION 8. Authorization and Appropriations. - There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to

carry out the purposes of this Act.


SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision 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 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative
order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,

modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect
fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers

of general circulation.

Approved,