Republic of the Phitippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.8498

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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

The Constitution, Article II, 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.

Li, prkr

LUIS RAYMUN; RAY” UERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Queson City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No8498

introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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

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 “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 tobe
known as the “National Task Force on Violence Against Women” (ref
as the “Task Force"), which shall be created under the office of the President.

SECTION 3. Duties. —

(A) 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.

(B) 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 —

(1) Considering the reports of the Commission on Human Rights, appropriate

agencies and other non-governmental organizations;

(2) Developing strategies for law enforcement designated to protect omen against

violent crime, and to prosecute and punish those responsible for such crime;

(3) Evaluating the adequacy of sentencing, incarceration and release of violent
dations designated to ensure th:
such offenders receive appropriate punishment; and



(4) Devatuating 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 ten (10) 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, the judiciary, 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) Executive Director. - The Task Force shall be headed by an Executive Director who
shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Justice not later than thirty (30)
days after the Task Force is fully constituted under Section 2. He or she shall be
compensation at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of the basic pay payable under
existing law.

(B) 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.

(C) Applicability of Civil Service Laws. — The Executive Director and the additional
personnel of the Task Force appointed under paragraph (B) may be appointed and paid
without regard to the provisions of applicable civil service laws.

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 or employee 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 Secretary of Justice shal
to the Congress on the findings and recommendations of the Task Force.

SECTION 8. Authorization of 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 of 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,