Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8587

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution provides that, “The prime duty of the Government
is to serve and protect the people.” As such, the Philippine National Police, to which this duty is
entrusted must be a highly efficient and competent police force.

Recent reports on incidents of police killings, physical abuse, abuse of authority, and other
incidences, however, does not reflect the paradigm of serving and protecting the public. Such is
the case of Police Senior Master Sgt. Jonel Nuezca, who shot two defenseless civilians point blank,
while he was off duty. It was later reported that Nuezca has had prior administrative cases and
two cases of grave misconduct involving homicide.

While there are standards in place regarding the conduct of regular firearms proficiency training,
re-training of police personnel in the use of non-lethal tools and techniques, and periodic neuro-
psychiatric examinations; still an alarming number of incidents of police personnel using
unnecessary lethal force with civilians. It is equally alarming that Nuezca remained in service and
was allowed to carry firearms, despite his dangerous behavior, as evidenced by his previous
cases.

This measure seeks to ensure and promote the psychiatric and psychological fitness of its officers
and members. This measure provides for the mandatory conduct of annual psychiatric,
psychological drug and physical tests. Under this measure, members and officers whose
operational work expose them to traumatic situations should also be subjected to stress debriefing
for the purpose of preventing mental health disorders.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino peopie, the approvai of the said measure is earnestiy sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No. 858?

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
MANDATING ANNUAL PSYCHIATRIC, PSYCHOLOGICAL DRUG AND PHYSICAL TESTS
FOR POLICE OFFICERS, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975,
AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 30 of Republic Act No. 6975, as amended, is hereby further amended to
read as follows:

"SEC. 30. General Qualifications for Appointment - No person shall be appointed
as officer or member of the PNP unless he or she possesses the following minimum
qualifications:

"a) A citizen of the Philippines;
"b) A person of good moral conduct;

“c) Must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests to
be administered by the PNP or by any NAPOLCOM accredited government
hospital for the purpose of determining physical and mental health;

"d) Must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution
of learning;

"e) Must be eligible in accordance with the standards set by the Commission;

"f) Must not have been dishonorably discharged from military employment or
dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the Government;

"g) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime
involving moral turpitude;

h) Must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62 m,) in height
for male and one meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for female;


i) Must weigh not more or less than five kilograms (5 kgs.) from the standard
weight corresponding to his or her height, age, and sex; and

") For a new applicant, must not be less than twenty-one (21) nor more than
thirty (30) years of age: except for the last qualification, the above-enumerated
qualifications shall be continuing in character and an absence of any one of
them at any given time shall be a ground for separation or retirement from the
service: Provided, That PNP members who are already in the service upon the
effectivity of this Act shall be given at least two (2) more years to obtain the
minimum educational qualification and one (1) year to satisfy the weight
requirement.

For the purpose of determining compliance with the requirements on physical
and mental health, as well as the non-use of prohibited drugs, the PNP by itself
or through a NAPOLCOM accredited government hospital shall conduct
[regular] ANNUAL psychiatric, psychological drug and physical tests
[randomly and] without notice.

PROVIDED, THAT, PNP OFFICERS AND MEMBERS WHOSE
OPERATIONAL WORK EXPOSE THEM TO TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS
SHOULD, AFTER SUCH OPERATIONS, BE SUBJECTED TO STRESS
DEBRIEFING FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING MENTAL HEALTH
DISORDERS."

XXX
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instructions, executive
orders, rules and regulations insofar as they are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
or amended as the case may be.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after its complete publication in at least three
(3) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,