SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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*16 DEC 12 A9 59
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RECEIVED aV;
Introduced by Senator Richard “ Dick” J. Gordon
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1998, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Based on the recommendations formulated during the investigation on extra­
judicial killings heard jointly by the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and 
the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, there is a conclusion to 
strengthen the Internal Affairs Services of the Philippine National Police and the need 
for a creation of a legal defense service that will provide adequate legal service to police 
personnel charged with offenses in connection with the performance of their duties. The 
PNP will be mandated to report all killings to a Joint Congressional Oversight 
Committee which is also proposed in this bill. The strengthening of the Internal Affairs 
Service and the concomitant creation of a legal defense service and reportorial 
mechanism to Congress provide for a balanced mix for the prosecution of rogue police 
personnel as well as protection from suits intended to stymie police law enforcement 
efforts through legal maneuverings.
The following recommendations from resource persons are in order: (1) inclusion 
of a time frame for the conduct of motu propio investigations of the IAS (2) provision of 
legal assistance for police personnel who may be charged with administrative, civil and 
criminal cases in the discharge of their official functions; and, (3) creation of a Joint 
Congressional Oversight Committee which will receive reports and updates on killings 
from the PNP. Once these are in place, investigations will be expedited and monitored 
and eventually, the public will be able to restore its trust in the justice system and in the 
effectiveness of the police and the government in ensuring public order.
With the inclusion of these recommendations culled from the committee hearings 
on the investigation of extra-judicial killings, it is the intention of the undersigned that the 
police force will be adequately equipped to enforce the law within its bounds, that 
killings will be diminished and past killings will be solved so that justice is served, and 
that the right of the people to life, liberty and property shall always be upheld.
ICHA
DICK” J. GORDON
Senator


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.
*l tlif
*16 DEC 12 A9 59
RKEiVLD BV.,
Introduced by Senator Richard “ Dick” J. Gordon
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AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL POLICE REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1998, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
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 "Strengthening the IAS 
Act of 2016".
Sec. 2. Sec. 39 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8551 is hereby amended to read, as
follows:
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"Section 39. Creation, Powers, and Functions. -  An Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of
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the PNP is hereby created which shall:
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a) pro-actively conduct inspections and audits on PNP personnel and units;
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b) investigate complaints and gather evidence in support of an open 
investigation;
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c) conduct summary hearings on PNP members facing administrative charges;
d) submit a periodic report on the assessment, analysis, and evaluation of the 
character and behavior of PNP personnel and units to the Chief PNP and the 
Commission;
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e) file appropriate criminal cases against PNP members before the court as 
evidence warrants and assist in the prosecution of the case;
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f) provide assistance to the Office of the Ombudsman in cases involving the 
personnel of the PNP.
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The IAS shall also conduct, motu proprio, automatic investigation of the following cases:


a) incidents where a police personnel discharges a firearm;
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b) incidents where death, serious physical injury, or any violation of human rights 
occurred in the conduct of a police operation;
c) incidents where evidence was compromised, tampered with, obliterated, or 
lost while in the custody of police personnel;
d) incidents where a suspect in the custody of the police was seriously injured; 
and
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e) incidents where the established rules of engagement have been violated.
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[Finally, the IAS shall provide documents or recommendations as regards to the
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promotion of the members of the PNP or the assignment of PNP personnel to any key
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position).
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SECTION 39-A. CONDUCT OF IAS MOTU PROPRIO INVESTIGATIONS. THE IAS
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SHALL INVESTIGATE, ON ITS OWN OR UPON COMPLAINT, THE CONDUCT OF
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ALL POLICE OPERATIONS. IN CASES WHERE DEATH, PHYSICAL INJURY,
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ALLEGED VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OR VIOLATIONS OF ESTABLISHED
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RULES OF ENGAGEMENT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF POLICE OPERATIONS,
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THE IAS SHALL REPORT THE INCIDENT TO THE CHIEF AND TO THE
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COMMISSION WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS FROM ITS OCCURRENCE AND WITHIN
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FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FROM THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, CONDUCT AN
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INVESTIGATION, EVALUATE ALL EVIDENCE AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR
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NOT TO FILE AN ADMINISTRATIVE CASE AGAINST THE POLICE INVOLVED IN
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THE INCIDENT. THE RECOMMENDATION REPORT WHICH WILL DETAIL THE
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IRREGULARITIES COMMITTED IN THE CONDUCT OF THE POLICE OPERATIONS
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OR THE REASONS FOR DISMISSING THE CASE AGAINST THE POLICE SHALL BE
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RELEASED 
WITHIN 
FIFTEEN 
(15) 
DAYS 
FROM 
THE 
START 
OF 
THE
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INVESTIGATION.”
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SECTION 39-B. IAS RECOMMENDATION ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. THE
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IAS SHALL, WITH RESPECT TO THE PROMOTIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS OF PNP
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PERSONNEL AND FOR SUCH OTHER PURPOSES AS MAY THEREAFTER ARISE
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RELATED TO PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, SHALL PROVIDE THE LATEST
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STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS AND CASES FILED AGAINST A PNP
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PERSONNEL AND SUCH OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO


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THE ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTER AND BEHAVIOR OF PNP 
PERSONNEL AND UNITS TO THE CHIEF PNP AND THE COMMISSION.
Sec. 3. A new Section 70 shall be inserted to read as follows:
“SEC. 70. INFORMATION DISSEMINATION. -  THE DEPARTMENT OF 
INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG), IN COORDINATION WITH THE 
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION AND THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
UNITS, SHALL UNDERTAKE AN INFORMATION DISSEMINATION CAMPAIGN FOR 
PURPOSES OF ENRICHING PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ON PLEB, ITS FUNCTIONS 
AND POWERS. THEY SHALL UNDERTAKE TO HIGHLIGHT PLEB’S ROLE AS A 
DISCIPLINARY MECHANISM IN CITIZEN’S COMPLAINTS AGAINST MEMBERS OF 
THE PNP.
TO THIS END, THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSION SHALL HOLD 
SEMINARS, TRAININGS AND SUCH OTHER PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO 
ACHIEVE THIS PURPOSE."
Sec. 4. Sections 70 and 71 under RA 8551 shall be renumbered as Sections 71 
and 72 respectively.
Sec. 5. A new Title X shall be inserted to read as follows:
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"TITLE X
CREATION OF POLICE LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICE
SECTION 73. CREATION AND FUNCTIONS. -  THERE SHALL BE A POLICE LEGAL 
DEFENSE SERVICE (PLDS) THAT SHALL PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO 
MEMBERS OF THE PNP FACING ANY ADMINISTRATIVE, CRIMINAL AND CIVIL 
CASES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
SECTION 74. ORGANIZATION. -  NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND PROVINCIAL 
OFFICES OF THE POLICE LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED. 
POLICE LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICE SHALL BE HEADED BY A POLICE CHIEF 
COUNSEL WHO SHALL BE ASSISTED BY AN ASSISTANT POLICE COUNSEL. THE 
AREA OFFICES SHALL BE HEADED BY A REGIONAL POLICE COUNSEL WHILE 
THE PROVINCIAL OFFICES SHALL BE HEADED BY A PROVINCIAL POLICE 
COUNSEL.
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THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH A RATIONALIZED STAFFING PATTERN
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NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 2017 BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:


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(1) LEGAL EXPOSURE OF THE POLICE FORCE; AND (2) MANAGEABLE COUNSEL
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TO POLICE PERSONNEL RATIO.
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SECTION 75. APPOINTMENTS. -  THE POLICE CHIEF COUNSEL SHALL BE 
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 
DIRECTOR 
GENERAL 
AND 
DULY 
ENDORSED 
BY 
THE 
COMMISSION. 
APPOINTMENTS OF PERSONNEL WHO SHALL OCCUPY VARIOUS POSITIONS 
SHALL BE MADE BY THE POLICE CHIEF COUNSEL AND SHALL BE BASED ON AN 
ESTABLISHED CAREER PATTERN AND CRITERIA TO BE PROMULGATED BY THE 
COMMISSION.
SECTION 76. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE NATIONAL, DIRECTORIAL, AND 
PROVINCIAL INTERNAL AFFAIRS SERVICE OFFICES. -  INITIAL APPOINTMENTS 
OF THE HEADS OF THE OFFICES IN THE POLICE LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICE 
SHALL BE MADE BY THE PRESIDENT UPON RECOMMENDATION BY THE 
COMMISSION. THEREAFTER, APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS TO THE 
SERVICE 
SHALL 
FOLLOW 
THE 
ESTABLISHED 
REQUIREMENTS 
AND 
PROCEDURES.
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SECTION 77. PROMOTIONS. -  THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTABLISH THE
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PROMOTION SYSTEM WITHIN THE PLDS WHICH SHALL FOLLOW THE GENERAL
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PRINCIPLES OF THE PROMOTION SYSTEM IN THE PNP.
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SECTION 78. PROHIBITIONS. -  ANY PERSONNEL WHO JOINS THE PLDS MAY
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NOT THEREAFTER JOIN THE IAS.
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SECTION 79. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND INCENTIVES. -  (1) PERSONNEL OF 
THE POLICE LEGAL DEFENSE SERVICE SHALL IN ADDITION TO OTHER 
ALLOWANCES 
AUTHORIZED 
UNDER 
EXISTING 
LAWS 
BE 
GRANTED 
OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY PAY WHICH SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY PERCENT 
(50%) OF THEIR BASIC PAY. THIS PAY SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A 
FORFEITURE OF OTHER REMUNERATION AND ALLOWANCES WHICH ARE 
ALLOWED UNDER EXISTING LAWS.
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(2) PLDS MEMBERS SHALL ALSO HAVE PRIORITIES IN THE QUOTA ALLOCATION
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FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION.”
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Sec. 6. A new Title XI shall be inserted to read as follows:
“ TITLE XI
CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE


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SECTION 80. CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. -  THERE IS HEREBY
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CREATED A JOINT CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF
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SEVEN (7) MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE AND SEVEN (7) MEMBERS FROM THE
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE SHALL BE
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APPOINTED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT BASED ON THE PROPORTIONAL
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REPRESENTATION OF THE PARTIES OR COALITIONS THEREIN WITH AT LEAST
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TWO (2) SENATORS REPRESENTING THE MINORITY, PROVIDED THAT THE
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CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS SHALL BE AN
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AUTOMATIC 
MEMBER. 
THE 
MEMBERS 
FROM 
THE 
HOUSE 
OF
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REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER, ALSO BASED ON
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PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION OF THE PARTIES OR COALITIONS THEREIN
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WITH AT LEAST TWO (2) MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE MINORITY, PROVIDED
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THAT THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE SHALL BE AN AUTOMATIC
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MEMBER.
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THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE HEADED BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SENATE
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COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, AND CO-CHAIRED BY THE
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE.
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SECTION 81. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.-
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THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, SHALL PERFORM THE
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FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, AMONG OTHERS:
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(A) SET THE GUIDELINES AND OVERALL FRAMEWORK TO MONITOR AND 
ENSURE THE STRENGTHENING OF THE IAS AND PLEB UNDER RA 8551 
AND THIS ACT;
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(B) ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF 
REPORTS 
FROM 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED ON THE 
CONDUCT OF PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND POLICIES RELATING TO THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT AND REPORTS ON EXTRA-JUDICIAL 
KILLINGS;
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(D) SUBMIT 
PERIODIC 
REPORTS 
TO 
THE 
PRESIDENT 
OF 
THE 
PHILIPPINES AND CONGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT;
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(E) DETERMINE INHERENT WEAKNESSES IN THE LAW AND RECOMMEND 
THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL LEGISLATION OR EXECUTIVE MEASURES;


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(F) 
RECECIVE 
REPORTS 
OR 
COMPLAINTS 
FROM 
THE 
PUBLIC 
REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF THE POLICE RELATING TO THE 
PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES, EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS 
AND OTHER CRIMES COMMITTED BY THE POLICE; AND,
(G) PERFORM SUCH OTHER DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY ATTAIN THE OBJECTIVES OF 
THIS ACT.
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SECTION 82. ADOPTION OF COMMITTEE RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND 
FUNDING. -  THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON POLICE AND EXTRA-JUDICIAL 
KILLINGS SHALL ADOPT ITS INTERNAL RULES OF PROCEDURE, CONDUCT 
HEARINGS AND RECEIVE TESTIMONIES, REPORTS, AND TECHNICAL ADVICE, 
INVITE OR SUMMON BY SUBPOENA AD TESTIFICANDUM ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL, 
PRIVATE CITIZEN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO TESTIFY BEFORE IT, OR 
REQUIRE ANY PERSON BY SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM DOCUMENTS OR OTHER 
MATERIALS AS IT MAY REQUIRE CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS 
ACT.
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THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON POLICE AND EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS 
SHALL BE ASSISTED BY A SECRETARIAT TO BE COMPOSED BY PERSONNEL 
WHO MAY BE SECONDED FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF 
REPRESENTATIVES AND MAY RETAIN CONSULTANTS.
TO CARRY OUT THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OVERSIGHT 
COMMITTEE ON THE STRENGTHENING OF IAS AND PLEB, THE INITIAL SUM OF 
TWENTY-FIVE MILLION PESOS (P25,000,000.00) SHALL BE CHARGED AGAINST 
THE 
CURRENT APPROPRIATIONS 
OF 
BOTH 
HOUSES 
OF 
CONGRESS. 
THEREAFTER, SUCH AMOUNT NECESSARY FOR ITS CONTINUED OPERATIONS 
SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT.
THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON THE STRENGTHENING OF IAS AND PLEB 
SHALL EXIST FOR A PERIOD OF TEN (10) YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF 
THIS ACT AND MAY BE EXTENDED BY A JOINT CONCURRENT RESOLUTION.”
Sec. 7. All subsequent Sections of Republic Act No. 8551, otherwise known as 
the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, shall hereafter 
be renumbered accordingly.


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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec. 10. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,