NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
692
of tlie
*22 JUL18 A10 -12
RliCEIVP-D BV;
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMOM BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO PURSUE THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES MODERNIZATION 
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In line with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Strategic Framework 
to Ensure Security, Public Order, and Safety, which among others, aims to pursue 
and sustain programs for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
(AFP) and to enhance the capability of military, police, and other law enforcement 
units to address the internal security threats posed by local and transnational 
terrorists and criminal groups, and new and emerging security threats, the 
government proposes a specialized procurement process for defense assets.
Prior to this, the AFP leadership had already asked Congress to introduce 
amendments to the stringent requirements of the Government Procurement Reform 
Act to address the unique needs and demands of purchasing defense equipment and 
services, such as the need for confidentiality and reasonable extension on time 
frames with respect to supplies sourced overseas.
Recently, the Commission on Audit (COA) called out the AFP for delays and 
inefficiencies over the implementation of the AFP Modernization Program. Several 
projects were not completed within the specific contract time, suspended or 
terminated.
This bill seeks to provide the necessary authority, opportunity' and flexibility 
for the Department of National Defense and the AFP leadership to fast track its


implementation of the long-delayed modernization program. While this measure 
provides an expeditious and specialized procurement for the defense sector, it is still 
anchored on the basic principles of quality and reliability of purchases, and 
accountability and integrity.
It is hoped that with the help of this bill, significant gains will be accomplished 
in fully realizing the objectives of the AFP Modernization Program, particularly the 
development of a self-reliant and credible strategic armed force, such that it can fully 
perform its mandate to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the 
Republic and to secure the national territory from all forms of intrusion and 
encroachment.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
RAMON/BONG REVSLLA, JR.


CW/* ■■J'HVI.T,
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
es2
of titf ^rn,?rar]»
'22 JUL18 A10:12
RtCEIVtD BY:
S. No.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG RE VILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO PURSUE THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES MODERNIZATION 
PROGRAM, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9184, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 4 (Scope and Application), Article I of Republic Act No. 9184,
2 
otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, is hereby amended to
3 
read as follows:
4 
'Sec. 4. Scope and Application. - This Act shall apply to the
5 
Procurement of Infrastructure Projects, Goods, and Consulting Services,
6 
regardless of source of funds, whether local or foreign, by all branches and
7 
instrumentalities of government, its departments, offices and agencies,
8 
including government-owned and/or -controlled corporations and local
3 
government units, subject to the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 138.
10 
IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY, THE SECRETARY OF
n 
NATIONAL DEFENSE MAY PRESCRIBE RULES AND STANDARDS
12 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF THIS
13 
ACT TO GOVERN THE PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES,
14 
SERVICES, AND INFRASTRUCTURES, AND TO ENHANCE THE
15 
NATIONAL DEFENSE PROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT. Any treaty
16 
or international or executive agreement affecting the subject matter of this


1 
Act to which the Philippine government is a signatory shall LIKEWISE be
2 
observed."
3 
Sec. 2. Section 5 (Definition of Terms), Article I of the same Act is hereby
4 
amended to read as follows:
5 
"Sec. 5(k). Infrastructure Projects - include the construction,
6 
improvement, rehabilitation, demolition, repair, restoration or
7 
maintenance of roads and bridges, railways, airports, seaports,
8 
communication facilities, civil works components of information
9 
technology projects AND SHIP-BUILDING PROJECTS AND THE
10 
REPAIR^ RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE OF MILITARY
11 
SHIPS, AIRCRAFT AND OTHER MAJOR MILITARY EQUIPMENT,
12 
irrigation, flood control and drainage, water supply, sanitation, sewerage
13 
and solid waste management systems, shore protection, energy/power
14 
and electrification facilities, national buildings, school buildings, hospital
15 
buildings and other related construction projects of the government."
IS 
Sec. 3. Section 10 (Competitive Bidding), Article IV of the same Act is hereby
17 
amended to read as follows:
18 
"Sec. 10. Competitive Bidding. - All procurement shall be done
19 
through Competitive Bidding, except as provided for in Article XVI of this
20 
Act. HOWEVER, IN FURTHERANCE OF THE AFP MODERNIZATION
21 
PROGRAM PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7898, AS
22 
AMENDED, AND WHEN THE PROCUREMENT INVOLVES
23 
NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST, THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL
24 
DEFENSE, UPON APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT, MAY PRESCRIBE
25 
ANY OF THE METHODS OF PROCUREMENT PROVIDED FOR IN
26 
ARTICLE XVI, AS MAY BE APPLICABLE FOR THE PROCUREMENT
27 
OR DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES, SERVICES, AND
28 
INFRASTRUCTURES, WITHOUT RESORTING TO COMPETITIVE
29 
BIDDING."
30 
Sec. 4. Section 18 (Reference to Brand Names), Article VI of the same Act is
31 
hereby amended to read as follows:
32


1 
"Sec. 18. Reference to Brand Names. - Specifications for the
2 
Procurement of Goods shall be based on relevant characteristics and/or
3 
performance requirements. Reference to brand names shall not be allowed
4 
[.] EXCEPT AS MAY BE OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS ACT."
5 
Sec. 5. Section 43 (Procurement of Domestic and Foreign Goods), Article XII of
6 
the same Act is hereby amended to read as foHows:
7 
"Sec. 43. Procurement of Domestic and Foreign Goods. - Consistent
8 
with the country's obligations under international treaties or agreements,
9 
Goods may be obtained from domestic or foreign sources and the
10 
procurement thereof shall be open to all eligible suppliers, manufacturers
11 
and distributors. HOWEVER, IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL
12 
SECURITY AND TO ENSURE HIGH-QUALITY DEFENSE ITEMS, THE
13 
SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, UPON APPROVAL OF THE
14 
PRESIDENT, MAY LIMIT THE PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE
15 
ARTICLES FROM KNOWN DIRECT MANUFACTURERS OF THE
16 
ITEMS. [However] FURTHER, in the interest of availability, efficiency,
17 
and timely delivery of Goods, the Procuring Entity may give preference to
18 
the purchase of domestically-produced and manufactured goods, supplies,
19 
and materials that meet the specified or desired quality."
20 
Sec. 6. The last paragraph of Section 48 (Alternative Methods), Article XVI of
21 
the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
22 
"In all instances NOT INVOLVING THE PROCUREMENT OF
23 
DEFENSE ARTICLES, SERVICES, AND INFRASTRUCTURES, the
24 
Procuring Entity shall ensure that the most advantageous price for the
25 
government is obtained. IN THE PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE
26 
ARTICLES, SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, THE SECRETARY
27 
OF NATIONAL DEFENSE SHALL ENSURE THAT THE NATIONAL
28 
SECURITY INTEREST IS PROTECTED IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY,
29 
ECONOMY AND QUALITY OF THE DEFENSE ITEMS TO BE
30 
PROCURED."
31


1 
Sec. 7. Section 49 (Limited Source Bidding), Article XVI of the same Act is
2 
hereby amended, by adding new provisions which shall read as follows:
3 
'(C) PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES WHERE IT IS
4 
DEEMED OF NATIONAL SECURITY INTEREST AS DETERMINED BY
5 
THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND APPROVED BY THE
5 
PRESIDENT, TO LIMIT THE BIDDING TO KNOWN LEGITIMATE
7 
BIDDERS AND SUPPLIERS OF DEFENSE ARTICLES IN ORDER TO
8 
OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN THE DESIRED STANDARDIZATION AND
9 
INTEROPERABILITY OF MILITARY ARTICLES INVENTORY, AND
10 
TO PROTECT THE PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES
11 
AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS SUPPLIERS.
12 
(D) THE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT POLICY BOARD SHALL
13 
DESIGNATE THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY THAT
14 
SHALL FORMULATE AND MAINTAIN THE LIST OF PRE-SELECTED
15 
SUPPLIERS OR CONSULTANTS WITH KNOWN EXPERIENCE AND
16 
PROVEN CAPABILITY IN THE REQUIREMENT FOR A PARTICULAR
17 
PROCUREMENT CONTRACT."
18 
Sec. 8. Section 50. (Direct Contracting), Article XVI of the same Act is hereby
19 
amended, by adding a new provision which shall read as follows:
20 
"(D). SUBSEQUENT PROCUREMENT OF THE SAME TYPE OR
21 
MODEL OF DEFENSE ARTICLES, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING
22 
CONDITIONS:
23 
1) 
THE DEFENSE ITEMS SHALL BE OF UNIFORM, INTER-
24 
OPERABLE AND COMPATIBLE, AND HAVE THE SAME
25 
OR BETTER PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS WITH
26 
THE SIMILAR TYPES OR MODELS OF DEFENSE ITEMS
27 
CURRENTLY IN USE BY THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
28 
PHILIPPINES;
29 
2) 
THE SUBSEQUENT PROCUREMENT WAS PREVIOUSLY
30 
PROGRAMMED OR PLANNED FOR BUT NOT AFFECTED
31 
DUE TO RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS AND OTHER
32 
REASONABLE CAUSES; AND


1 
3) THE ORIGINAL PROCUREMENT OF THE SAME TYPE OR
2 
MODEL OF THE DEFENSE ITEM WAS UNDERTAKEN
3 
THROUGH THE LEGITIMATE PROCESS PRESCRIBED
a 
UNDER THIS ACT, AND THAT SIMILAR TERMS AND
5 
CONDITIONS, OR BETTER, ARE OBTAINED, EXCEPT
6 
FOR CHANGES THEREOF FOR REASONS OF
7 
IMPROVEMENT OR UPGRADE, 'FORCE MAJEURE' OR
8 
SUCH OTHER CAUSES AS THE SECRETARY OF
9 
NATIONAL DEFENSE MAY DEEM ACCEPTABLE."
10 
Sec. 9. Section 51(c) (Repeat Order), Article XVI of the same Act is hereby
11 
amended to read as follows:
12 
"Sec. 51(c) Except In special circumstances defined in the IRR, the
13 
repeat order shall be availed of only within six (6) months from the date
14 
of the Notice to Proceed arising from the original contract [^-andy]. IN
15 
THE CASE OF PROCUREMENT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES, SERVICES
16 
AND INFRASTRUCTURES, A REPEAT ORDER NOT EXCEEDING
17 
FIFTY PERCENTUM (50%) OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT VALUE
18 
MAY BE AVAILED OF WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE DATE OF
19 
THE LAST DELIVERY OF THE DEFENSE ARTICLES, SERVICES, AND
20 
INFRASTRUCTURE ARISING FROM THE SAID CONTRACT."
21 
Sec. 10. Section 53 (Negotiated Procurement), Article XVI of the same Act is
22 
hereby amended, by adding new provisions which shall read as follows:
23 
"(F) WHEN THE PRESIDENT, AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, CALLS
24 
UPON THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, TO SUPPRESS
25 
LAWLESS VIOLENCE, INVASION OR REBELLION, OR THE
26 
IMMINENT DANGER THEREOF, OR IN TIME OF EMERGENCY AS
27 
MAY BE DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT OR CONGRESS, AND FOR
28 
THE DURATION OF SUCH LAWLESS VIOLENCE, INVASION,
29 
REBELLION OR EMERGENCY, OR TO ATTAIN OR UNDERTAKE
30 
PROJECTS FOR SPECIFIC NATIONAL SECURITY OBJECTIVES.
31 
(G) IN THE CASE OF PROCUREMENT INVOLVING MAJOR
32 
DEFENSE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL, WHEN THE CAPABILITY


1 
REQUIRED IS NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY, AND WHEN THE
2 
SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, UPON APPROVAL OF THE
3 
PRESIDENT, HAS DETERMINED THAT IN VIEW OF SECURITY AND
4 
OTHER STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING
5 
CONFIDENTIALITY, INTEROPERABILITY, AND/OR THE
6 
EXISTENCE OF DEFENSE PARTNERSHIPS, THE PROCUREMENT OF
7 
THE ABOVEMENTIONED EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE EXEMPTED
8 
FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF PUBLIC BIDDING UNDER THIS
9 
ACT; PROVIDED, THAT THE PERFORMANCE BY THE SUPPLIER OF
10 
ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE PROCUREMENT CONTRACT SHALL
11 
BE COVERED BY SECTION 39 OF THIS ACT: PROVIDED, FURTHER
12 
THAT MAJOR DEFENSE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIEL SHALL REFER
13 
TO AIRCRAFT, VESSELS, TANKS, ARMORED VEHICLES, HIGH
14 
TECH COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, RADAR SYSTEMS,
15 
SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS SYSTEMS AND HIGH-POWERED
16 
FIREARMS NOT OTHERWISE LOCALLY AVAILABLE.
17 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
18 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
19 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
20 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
21 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
22 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
23 
accordingly.
24 
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its
25 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 691
o( ll;t
*22 JUL18 A10:11
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NEW PASSPORT LAW, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8239, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE 
PASSPORT ACT OF 1996"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article III Section 6 of the Constitution provides that the right to travel shall 
not be impaired, except In the interest of national security, public safety or public 
health.
Republic Act No. 8239 or the "Philippine Passport Act of 1996" was enacted 
twenty-six years ago, pursuant to that Constitutional guarantee. It affirmed the 
inviolability of the people's right to travel. As defined in the said law, the passport is 
a "document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens and requesting other 
governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, and in case of need to 
give him/her all lawful aid and protection."
In 2017, RA 8239 was later amended by RA 10928 to extend the validity of 
regular passports from five (5) years to ten (10) years.
This bill provides a new passport law that is updated with recent measures 
enacted by Congress, and that recognizes the advancement of technology to ensure 
accessibility and convenience in the application process. It also institutes safeguards 
against unauthorized access and disclosure of personal information, and prohibits 
unfair and discriminatory practices, such as submission of extraneous and 
unnecessary documents, as experienced by some applicants. Lastly, this proposed 
legislation introduces accommodations such as special lanes for the vulnerable


sectors and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), fifty percent (50%) discount rates for 
senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), and expedited processing for 
Muslim Filipinos who are intending pilgrims to the annual hajj pilgrimage.
A similar bill was approved by the House of Representatives on Third and 
Final Reading during the Eighteenth Congress, and became the subject of public 
hearings of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
In this light, the passage of this bill is recommended.
RAMO^ONG REVILLA, JR.