SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
'1 r 
BEC -3 P 4:37 
__________ 
S._SBE_.~N_1\_i_l_8_5 _____ 
1:,_.:_,._;I'._:_' _.';_L_~"_ 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN BY AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 6770, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989," AND PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XI of the 1987 Constitution creates the Office of the Ombudsman and mandates it 
to act promptly on complaints filed in any form or malmer against public officials or employees 
of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-
owned or controlled corporations. As the champion of the people and the preserver of the 
integrity of the public service, its jurisdiction encompasses all kinds of malfeasance, 
misfeasance, and nonfeasance committed by any public officer or employee during hislher tenure 
of office. Republic Act (R.A.) No. 6770, otherwise known as "The Ombudsman Act of 1989", 
was enacted to enable the Office ofthe Ombudsman to function and organize itself in accordance 
with the constitutional provisions and to exercise powers for the effective deterrence of corrupt 
activities by public officials and employees. 
It is unfortunate that, at present, the powers provided under R.A. No. 6770 to the Office 
of the Ombudsman are not enough to efficiently combat corruption despite being the primary 
anti-corruption agency of the Government. To address this deficiency, its investigative and 
prosecutorial powers have to be broadened to enhance its ability to build solid cases against 
erring public officials and employees. 
It is also significant to note that the efficient performance of the prosecutors and 
investigators of the Office of the Ombudsman are being hampered by harassment suits filed by 
persons subject of their investigation before the courts or other government agencies, including 
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. To obviate any harassment against said prosecutors and 
investigators who are in the regular performance of their functions, they should be given legal 
protection and immunity from suits for acts done in1ine with their duties. 
Hence, due to the difficulties being experienced by the Office of the Ombudsman in the 
investigation and prosecution of crimes and offenses within its jurisdiction, there is a need to 
. grant additional investigative and, prosecutorial powers to the Office of the Ombudsman. These 
include the leeway to employ wiretapping in especially meritorious cases, the power to issue 
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to compel the compulsory attendance of any witness or the 
production of evidence, the authority to inquire into bank and non-bank accounts, records and 
transactions, and the power to punish for contempt. All these powers will enable the Office of the -
Ombudsman to effectively and efficiently fulfill its constitutionally-mandated duty. 


With the adoption of the proposed amendments to R.A. No. 6770, stronger anti-
corruption efforts could be exercised by the Office of the Ombudsman to effectively deter 
corruption in the government for the benefit of the public interest. These additional powers are 
being proposed in order to keep the Ombudsman from becoming a "toothless tiger" in the fight 
against increasingly sophisticated and advanced criminals in the government's ranks. 
~fR---7~ 
. y.CEPOE 


,-
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. 
2485 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
'14 
OEC-3 P4:37 
STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN BY AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 6770, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989," AND PROVIDING . 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Section 15 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
2 ' 
3 
4 
5 
"SEC. 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. -
The Office of the 
Ombudsman shall 
have the following powers, functions and duties: 
6 
(1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any 
person, 
7 
any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office 
or agency, when such 
8 
act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient; [It has primary 
9 
jurisdiction over cases 
cognizable by the Sandiganbayan and, in the exercise of 
10 
this primary 
jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage, from any investigatory agency 
11 
of Government, the investigation of such cases;] 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
(2) 
EMPLOY 
WIRETAPPING 
AS 
AN 
INVESTIGATIVE 
TECHNIQUE WHEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF A CASE SO 
WARRANT. FOR THIS PURPOSE, SECTION 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
4200, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTI-WIRETAPPING LAW, IS 
HEREBY AMENDED TO INCLUDE CASES INVOLVING PLUNDER, 
VIOLATIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3019, FORFEITURE OF ILL-
GOTTEN WEALTH UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379, CRIMES 
COMMITTED BY PUBLIC OFFICERS UNDER THE REVISED PENAL 
CODE AND OTHER GRAFT AND CORRUPTION OFFENSES IN THE 
CASES FOR WHICH WIRETAPPING MAY BE ALLOWED AFTER AN 
APPLICATION FOR AND GRANT OF A JUDICIAL AUTHORITY; 
(3) EXERCISE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER CASES 
COGNIZABLE BY THE SANDIGANBAYAN AND, PURSUANT TO 
SUCH EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION, TAKE OVER, AT ANY STAGE, 
FROM ANY INVESTIGATORY AGENCY OF GOVERNMENT, THE 
INVESTIGATION OF SUCH CASES, IF, IN ITS DETERMINATION, 
PUBLIC INTEREST WILL BE SERVED THEREBY; 
[(2)](4) Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, any officer or 
employee of the Government, or of any subdivision, agency or instrnmentality 
thereof, as well as any government-owned or controlled corporations [with 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
Ii 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57. 
original charter], to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law, or to 
stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties; 
[(3)] (5) Direct the [officer] concerned HEAD OF AGENCY OR 
OFFICIAL to take appropriate action against a public officer or employee at 
fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required by law, and 
[recommend], FOR SUCH PURPOSE, ORDER SAID HEAD OF AGENCY 
OR OFFICIAL TO IMPLEMENT AN ORDER FOR [his] THE SAID 
PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE'S removal, suspension, demotion, fine, 
censure, or prosecution [and ensure compliance therewith; or enforce] IN LINE 
WITH its disciplinary authority as provided in Section 21 of this Act: Provided, 
That the refusal by any officer without just cause to comply with an order of the 
Ombudsman to remove, suspend, demote, fine, censure, or prosecute an officer or 
employee who is at fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty 
required by law shall be a ground for disciplinary action against said officer; 
[(4)] (6) Direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject 
to such limitations as it may provide in its rules of procedure, to furnish it with 
copies of documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into by his office 
involving the disbursement or use of public funds or properties, and report any 
irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action; 
[(5)] (7) Request any government agency for assistance and information 
necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary, 
pertinent records and documents; 
[(6)] (8) Publicize matters covered by its investigation of the matters 
mentioned in paragraphs (I), (2), [(3) and] (4), (5), (6) AND (7) hereof, when 
circumstances so warrant and with due prudence: Provided, That the Ombudsman 
under its rules and regulations may determine what cases may not be made public: 
Provided, further, That any publicity issued by the Ombudsman shall be balanced, 
fair and true; 
[(7)] (9) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, 
fraud, and corruption in the Government, and make recommendations for their 
elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency; 
[(8)] (10) Administer oaths, issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum [,j 
TO COMPEL AND SECURE THE COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE OF 
ANY WITNESS OR THE PRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE WHEREVER 
THE SAME MAY BE FOUND, and take testimony AT ANY STAGE OF [ift] 
any investigation or inquiry, PROVIDED, THAT IN THE COURSE OF 
SUCH INVESTIGATION OR INQUIRY, THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL 
HAVE [including] the power to examine and have access to bank AND NON-
BANK accounts, records AND TRANSACTIONS, SUCH AS DEPOSITS, 
TRUSTS, INVESTMENTS, EVEN PRIOR TO THE FILING OF A CASE 
BEFORE 
A 
COURT 
OF 
COMPETENTJURISDICTION, 
NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 
1405, AS AMENDED; REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6426, AS AMENDED; 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8791 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9160, AS 
AMENDED, AND OTHER LAWS; 
(11) ENTER, VISIT, INSPECT, OR IF CIRCUMSTANCES 
REQUIRE, BREAK INTO, ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICE OR ANY 
PUBLIC PREMISES, STRUCTURE OR ESTABLISHMENT, IN THE 
LAWFUL 
COURSE 
OF 
AN 
ONGOING 
CRIMINAL 
OR 
ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATION, AND SEIZE ANY OBJECT OR 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
ARTICLE FOUND THEREIN WHICH MAYBE USED IN THE SAID 
INVESTIGATION, OR DIRECT ANY PUBLIC OFFICER TO DELIVER 
SUCH OBJECT OR ARTICLE, PURSUANT TO SUCH RULES AND 
REGULATIONS THAT THE OMBUDSMAN MUST PROMULGATE TO 
GOVERN THE EXERCISE OF THE FOREGOING POWER; 
[(9») (12) Punish for contempt in accordance with [the Rules of Court) 
ITS OWN RULES and [under the same procedure) with the [same) penalties 
provided [therein] UNDER SECTION 36 OF THIS ACT. 
[(10») (13) Delegate to the Deputies, or its investigators or representatives 
such authority or duty as shall ensure the effective exercise or performance of the 
powers, functions, and duties herein or hereinafter provided; 
15 
[(11») (14) Investigate and initiate the proper action for the recovery of ill-
16 
gotten and/or unexplained wealth amassed after February 25, 1986 and the 
17 
prosecution of the parties involved therein. IN THE FILING AND 
18 
PROSECUTION OF SUCH ACTIONS, THE REPUBLIC OF THE 
19 
PHILIPPINES SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE FILING OF ANY BOND 
20 
OR THE PAYMENT OF ANY FEES AND CHARGES. PROPERTIES 
21 
LIQUIDATED OR SOLD BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THOSE 
22 
RECOVERED, FORFEITED, SURRENDERED AND TRANSFERRED TO 
23 
THE GOVERNMENT, SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
24 
ANY NATIONAL OR LOCAL TAXES. 
25 
26 
SECTION 2. Inseli new paragraphs (15), (16) and (17) to Section 15 of R.A. No. 6770 
27 
to read as follows: 
28 
29 
(15) REPRESENT ITSELF, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, OR 
30 . 
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES IN ANY JUDICIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, 
31 
CIVIL OR OFFICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING CASES WITHIN ITS 
32 
JURISDICTION BEFORE ANY COURT, TRIBUNAL, AGENCY, OR OFFICE 
33 
WITHOUT NEED OF PRIOR CLEARANCE, AUTHORITY OR DEPUTATION 
34 
FROM ANY OTHER OFFICE OR AGENCY, INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF 
35 
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL; 
36 
37 
(16) DEPUTIZE PRIVATE LAWYERS TO ACT AS INVESTIGATORS 
38 
OR PROSECUTORS TO ACT UNDER THE DIRECT CONTROL AND 
39 
SUPERVISION OF THE OMBUDSMAN IN CASES BEING HANDLED BY THE 
40. 
OFFICE, WHEN SPECIAL AND MERITORIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES SO 
41 
WARRANT, SUBJECT TO SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING 
42 
PROVISIONS FOR REASONABLE COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT 
43 
FOR 
REASONABLE 
EXPENSES, 
AS 
THE 
OMBUDSMAN 
WILL 
44 
PROMULGATE; AND 
45 
46 
(17) CREATE AND ADMINISTER ITS OWN WITNESS PROTECTION 
47 
AND WHISTLEBLOWING PROGRAMS AND, FOR SUCH PURPOSES, 
48 
MAINTAIN ITS OWN INTELLIGENCE ENFORCEMENT OR PROTECTIVE 
49 
SERVICES UNIT FOR THE PROTECTION OF ITS WITNESSES AND 
50 
WHISTLEBLOWERS. 
51 
52 
The Ombudsman shall give priority to complaints filed against high ranking 
53 
government officials and/or those occupying supervisory positions, complaints involving 
54 
grave offenses as well as complaints involving large sums of money and/or properties. 
55 
56 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
1~ 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 . 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
SECTION 3. Section 17 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC 17. Immunities. - x x x 
Under such terms and conditions as it may determine, [taking into account 
the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court] the Ombudsman may grant 
immunity from criminal prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose 
possession and production of documents or other evidence may be necessary to 
determine the truth in any hearing, inquiry or proceeding being conducted by the 
Ombudsman or under its authority, in the performance or in the furtherance of its 
constitutional ftmctions and statutory objectives. The immunity granted under 
this and the immediately preceding paragraph shall not exempt the witness 
from 
criminal prosecution for perjury or false testimony nor shall he be exempt from 
demotion or removal from office. 
Any refusal to appear or testify pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall 
be subject to punishment for contempt and removal of the immunity from 
criminal prosecution. 
SECTION 4. Section 25 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"SEC. 25. Penalties-
(1) In administrative proceedings under [Presidential Decree No. 807] 
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292, THE OFFENSES DEFINED AND the 
penalties [ and rules] provided therein shall be applied. 
(2) In other administrative proceedings, the penalty ranging from 
suspension without pay for one (1) year to dismissal with forfeiture of benefits or 
a fine ranging from Five Thousand Pesos (p5, 000.00) to twice the amount 
mal versed, illegally taken or lost, or both at the discretion of the Ombudsman, 
taking into consideration circumstances that mitigate or aggravate the liability of 
the officer or employee found guilty ofthe complaint or charges. 
THESE 
PENAL TIES 
MAY 
BE 
IMPLEMENTED 
DURING 
ELECTION PERIOD, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTION 
261(X) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, OR THE OMNIBUS 
ELECTION CODE." 
SECTION 5. Section 27 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 27. Effectivity and Finality of Decisions. -
(1) All provisionary 
orders of the Office of the Ombudsman are immediately effective and executory. 
A motion for reconsideration of any order, directive or decision of the 
Office of the Ombudsman must be filed within five (5) days after receipt of 
written notice and shall be entertained only on any of the following grounds: 
(1) New evidence has been discovered which materially affects the order, 
directive or decision; 
(2) Errors of law or irregularities have been committed prejudicial to the 
interest 
of the movant. [The motion for reconsideration shall be resolved 
within three (3) days from filing: Provided, That] ONLY one motion for 
reconsideration shall be entertained. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8' 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
Findings of fact by the Office of the Ombudsman when supported by 
substantial evidence are conclusive, Any order, directive or decision imposing the 
penalty of public censure or reprimand, suspension of not more than one (1) 
MONTH AND FINE OF NOT MORE THAN ONE (1) MONTH'S SALARY 
shall be final and unappealable, 
In all administrative disciplinary cases, orders, directives, or decisions of 
the Office of the Ombudsman may be appealed to the COURT OF APPEALS 
ON A VERIFIED PETITION FOR REVIEW UNDER RULE 43 OF THE 
RULES OF, COURT. AN APPEAL SHALL NOT STOP THE DECISION 
FROM BEING EXECUTORY. 
The above rules may be amended or modified by the Office of the 
Ombudsman as the interest of justice may require." 
16 
SECTION 6. Insert a new Section 31-A to R.A. No. 6770 to read as follows: 
17 
18 
SEC. 31-A. IMMUNITY FROM SUIT OF OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGATORS 
19 
AND 
PROSECUTORS. 
OMBUDSMAN 
INVESTIGATORS 
AND 
20 
PROSECUTORS, INCLUDING THOSE DEPUTIZED BY THE OMBUDSMAN 
21 
PURSUANT TO SECTION 31 HEREOF, SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM 
22 
CRIMINAL, ADMINISTRATIVE OR CIVIL SUITS ARISING FROM THEIR 
23 
MANDATE AND THE REGULAR EXERCISE OF THEIR OFFICIAL 
24 
FUNCTIONS. 
25 
26 
27 
SECTION 7. Section 32, paragraph (3) ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby 
amended 
to 
28 
read as follows: 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
"SEC. 32. Rights and Duties of Witness. -
xxxx 
(3) If a person refuses to respond to the Ombudsman's or his 
Deputy's subpoena, or refuses to be examined, or engages in 
obstructive 
conduct, the Ombudsman or his Deputy shall issue an order directing the person 
to appear before him to show cause why he should not be punished for contempt. 
[The contempt proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of the 
Rules of Court.]" 
41 
SECTION 8. Section 36 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 ' 
47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
"SEC. 36. Penalties for Obstruction. - Any person who willfully obstructs 
or hinders the proper exercise of the functions of the Office of the Ombudsman, 
or who willfully misleads or attempts to mislead the Ombudsman, his Deputies, 
and the Special Prosecutor in replying to their inquiries shall be punished by a 
fine of not exceeding Five thousand pesos (PS, 000.00). 
ANY PERSON GUILTY OF MISBEHAVIOR IN THE PRESENCE 
OF OR SO NEAR AN 
OFFICER 
OF 
THE 
OFFICE 
OF 
THE 
OMBUDSMAN 
AS 
TO 
OBSTRUCT 
OR 
INTERRUPT 
THE 
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE SAME, INCLUDING DISRESPECT 
TOWARD THE HEARING OFFICER, OFFENSIVE PERSONALITIES 
TOWARD OTHERS, OR REFUSAL TO BE SWORN OR TO ANSWER AS 
A WITNESS, OR TO SUBSCRIBE AN AFFIDAVIT OR DEPOSITION 
WHEN LAWFULLY REQUIRED TO DO SO, MAY BE SUMMARILY 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 . 
20 
21 
22 
ADJUDGED IN CONTEMPT BY SUCH HEARING OFFICER, SUBJECT 
TO THE APPROVAL OF THE OMBUDSMAN, AND PUNISHED BY A 
FINE NOT EXCEEDING FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) OR 
IMPRISONMENT NOT EXCEEDING TEN (10) DAYS WITHOUT 
PREJUDICE TO THE FILING OF A CRIMINAL CASE UNDER 
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1829. 
ANY 
IMPROPER 
CONDUCT 
TENDING, 
DIRECTLY 
OR 
INDIRECTLY, TO IMPEDE, 
OBSTRUCT, OR DEGRADE 
THE 
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, OR ANY INVESTIGATION BEING 
CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL 
CONSTITUTE AS INDIRECT CONTEMPT, AND SHALL, AFTER 
NOTICE AND. HEARING, 
BE PUNISHED 
WITH THE SAME 
PENALTIES AS DIRECT CONTEMPT. 
TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE 
OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN MAY, IF NECESSARY, REQUEST THE 
ASSISTANCE OF ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE OR DEPUTIZE 
ANY 
LAW 
ENFORCEMENT 
OFFICER TO 
ASSIST 
IN 
THE 
EXECUTION OF ANY ORDER ISSUED FOR SAID PURPOSE." 
23 
SECTION 9. Insert a new Section 36-A to R.A. No. 6770 to read as follows: 
24 
25 
Sec. 36-A. Illegal Disclosure of Information. - IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL 
26 
FOR ANY PERSON WHO RECEIVES A SUBPOENA, OTHER ORDERS, OR 
27 
REQUESTS 
FOR 
INFORMATION 
FROM 
THE 
OFFICE 
OF 
THE 
28 
OMBUDSMAN PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF THE LATTER'S POWERS 
29 
UNDER SECTION 15 HEREOF TO DISCLOSE TO ANY PERSON ANY 
30' 
INFORMATION CONCERNING SAID ORDERS OR REQUESTS, AND THE 
31 
PROCEEDINGS RELATING THERETO. ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION 
32 
WILL SUBJECT THE OFFENDER TO IMPRISONMENT RANGING FROM SIX 
33 
(6) MONTHS AND ONE (1) DAY TO THREE (3) YEARS, AND A FINE OF NOT 
34 
LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN 
35 
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00). 
36 
37 
38 
SECTION 10. Rules and Regulations. - The Ombudsman shall issue, within ninety (90) 
39 
days after the approval of this Act, the necessary rules and regulation relating to the 
40 
administrative aspects of the provisions of this Act. 
41 
42 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. -
If for any reason, any section or provision of this 
43 
Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are 
44 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
45 
46 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders or rules and regulations, 
47 
and other issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
48 
amended or modified accordingly. 
49 
50 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
51 
. publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
52 
53 
Approved,