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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 
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OF THE PHILIPPINE 
First Regular Session 
s. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOT 
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was created in 1947 by R.A. 
No 157. On June 20, 1959, R.A. No. 2389 was passed increasing the number 
and salaries of its agents. 
On June 18, 1960, the NBI was expanded and 
reorganized under R. A. No. 2678. 
Today, more than half a century after its establishment the NBI continues 
to be the country's main clearing house of information regarding criminal, 
administrative and civil matters for use by prosecution and law-enforcement 
agencies, as dictated by public interest. 
Since its inception, many things have changed in the environment. 
Population has increased. The government has grown into a huge bureaucracy. 
Technology strides have changed the modes of communication and of doing 
business and even the manner crimes are committed. 
This bill proposes to elevate the NBI from a bureau level to a National 
Investigation Services Office, give it greater flexibility and muscle to attract 
competent lawyers, accountants and doctors to do the work, and cope with the 
demands of law enforcement in modern-day society, 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
requested . 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


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J 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS F THE REPUBLI 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T  
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
AN ACT 
TO REORGANIZE THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION INTO THE 
NATIONAL INVESTIGATION SERVICES OFFICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. 
There is hereby created a National Investigation Services 
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Office under the administrative control and supervision of the Department of 
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Justice, with the .following functions: 
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a) To undertake investigation of crimes and other offenses against the 
laws of the Philippines, upon its own initiative and as public interest 
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may require; 
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b) To 
render 
assistance, whenever 
properly 
requested, in the 
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investigation or detection of crimes and other offenses; 
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c) To act as a national clearing house of criminal and other information 
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for the benefit and use of all prosecuting and law-enforcement entities 
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of the Philippines, identification records of all persons without criminal 
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convictions, records of identifying marks, characteristics, 
and 
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therefrom; 
ownership or possession of all firearms as well as of test bullets fired 
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its services; 
d) To give technical aid to all prosecuting and law-enforcement officers 
and entities of the Government as well as the courts that may request 
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e) To extend its services, whenever properly requested, in the 
investigation of cases of administrative or civil in nature in which the 
Government is interested; 
f) To undertake the instruction and training of a representative number of 
peace officers at the request of their respective superiors along 
effective methods of crime investigation and detection in order to 
insure greater efficiency in the discharge of their duties; 
g) To establish and maintain an up-to-date scientific crime laboratory and 
to conduct researches in furtherance of scientific knowledge in criminal 
investigation; 
h) To perform such other related functions as the Secretary of Justice 
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may assign from time to time. 
SEC. 2. The National Investigation Services Office shall be headed by a 
Director-General, who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and 
shall have the same rank, salary and privileges of an Undersecretary, and whose 
qualifications shall be as follows: 
a) He must be a citizen of the Philippines; 
b) He must be a member of the Philippine Bar for at least ten ( j  0) years 
prior to his appointment; 
c) He must be at least forty (40) years old; 
d) And preferentially, he must have satisfactorily held the position of 
Regional Director of the National Investigation Services Office or its 
predecessor, the National Bureau of Investigation. 
The Director-General shall be assisted by such number of Deputies and 
Assistants as may be necessary to promote the efficient delivery of its services. 
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SEC. 3. The composition and size of the personnel of the National 
Investigation Services Office shall be determined by the Director-General with 
the approval of the Secretary of Justice: Provided, That the present personnel of 
the National Bureau of Investigation shall be transferred to, and form the nucleus 
of this new office. 
The Director-General is hereby authorized to establish as many regional 
branches and divisions as the exigencies of the service may require. Each 
regional branch shall be headed by a regional director. 
SEC. 4. Appointments to positions, other than clerical or janitorial, in the 
different divisions with investigative functions in this Office shall be limited to 
members of the Philippine Bar andlor certified public accountants or doctors of 
mediciiie and, whenever a special need arises, thos'e with at least ten ( I O )  years 
experience and training in other law-enforcement organization, who shall first 
pass rigid mental, physical and psychological examination and after sufficient 
instruction and training to be given by the National Investigation Services Office: 
Provided, however, That the present qualified personnel of the different divisions 
with investigative functions shall be retained: Provided, further, That the persons 
appointed to the positions under this Section shall at least receive annual 
salaries and be entitled to the same allowances, and benefits as those of the 
State Prosecutors: and Provided, furthermore, That only bonafide members of 
of Regional 
nvestigation 
the Philippine Bar shall be exclusively appointed to the position 
Director, as contemplated in this Act. Promotion in the, National 
Services Office shall be based only on merit and fitness. 
SEC. 5. 
The members of the divisions performing investigative 
functions of the National Investigation Services Office shall be peace officers, 
and as such have the following authority and powers: 
a) To make arrests, searches and seizures in accordance with existing 
laws and rules; 
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b) To issue subpoena or subpoena duces tecum for the appearance, at 
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government expense, of any person for investigation; 
C) To take and require sworn truthful statements of any person or 
persona so summoned in relation to cases under investigation, subject 
to constitutional restrictions; 
d) To administer oaths upon cases under investigation; 
e) To possess and carry outside their Office and residence suitable and 
adequate firearms for their personal protection in connection with their 
duties and for the proper protection of. witnesses and persons in 
custody: 
Provided, That no previous special permit for such 
possession shall be required; 
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9 To have access to all public records and, upon authority of the 
President of the Philippines in the exercise of his visitorial powers, to 
records of private parties and concerns. 
SEC. 6. 
All unexpended appropriations, supplies, materials, and 
scientific equipment of the National Bureau of Investigation shall be transferred to 
the National Investigation Services Office. 
SEC. 7. 
For purposes of this Act, there is hereby appropriated from 
the National Treasury not otherwise set aside, in addition to the sum already 
appropriated for the National Bureau of Investigation, the sum of Fifty million 
pesos (P50,000,000.00) for the salaries and wages, travelling and other 
expenses of personnel, for the purchase of necessary supplies, materials and 
equipment, and for other purposes. 
SEC. 8. 
The provisions of Republic Act Numbered One hundred and 
fifty-seven (R.A. No. 157), Republic Act Numbered Two thousand three hundred 
eighty-nine (R.A. No. 2389) and Republic Act Numbered Two thousand six 
hundred and seventy-eight (R.A. No. 2678) as well as any other act or provisions 
of acts or executive issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. 
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This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette, or in at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
Approved, 
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