" 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
642 
) 
) 
) 
, \.. 
.. 7 i\l'.:7.6 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In every day's news reports, a portion for missing persons has always 
been provided for, It seems that there is a ceaseless number of people missing, 
young al'ld old alike. Although the media plays a big role in finding lost persons, it 
does not fully solve all cases of missing persons. 
It is for this reason that a Commission on Missing Persons is being 
recommended for creation. The Commission can focus in performing the 
functions that it is tasked to perform, thus, ensuring public safety for each and 
every member of the community. By the nature and character of the functions for 
which it is created, the Commission can guarantee to solve each and every case 
that will be brought to them because they can concentrate their time and effort in 
rendering their services in finding missing persons. The following are some of the 
notable functions of the Commission: 
1. To conduct investigation of missing persons whose whereabouts are 
unknown, upon its initiative or upon the request of an interested party; 
2. To evaluate and render corresponding reports on each of the cases and 
make recommendations to the party requesting the search, or to the DSWD for 
temporary shelter and assistance; 
3. To continuously review and evaluate Detective Operations to achieve 
specification of detective assignments as a measure of the accomplishment of 
investigation teams; 
4. To initiate policies and programs towards an effective communication 
system to aid the search of missing persons; and 
5. to devise a system 6f raising the consciousness of the people and for 
them to inform the Commission of persons who are found loitering about in public 
places, tramping or wandering about aimlessly. 
In view of the above, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
642 
I , . 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
CREATING A COMMISSION ON MISSING PERSONS 
;?. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Commission on Missing Persons. - In order to promote 
and ensure public safety of the community, there is hereby created a 
Commission to be known as the Commission on Missing Persons, hereinafter 
referred to as the "Commission". 
SEC. 2. Composition of the Commission. - The Commission shall be 
composed of the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission as Chairman, the 
Director General of the Philippine National Police, the Director of the National 
Bureau of Investigation, Chairman of National Police Commission and the 
Secretary of Social Welfare and Development as members and two (2) 
representatives from the private sector whose advocacy is on human rights. 
For actual attendance at regular meetings, the members of the 
Commis,sion from the private sector shall receive a per diem of One Thousand 
Pesos (P1 ,000.00) for every meeting actually attended. 
. SEC. 3. Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the 
following functions: 
1. to conduct investigation of missing persons whose whereabouts are 
unknown, upon its initiative or upon the request of an interested party; 
2. to evaluate and render corresponding reports on each of the cases and 
make recommendations to the party requesting the search or to the DSWD for 
temporary shelter and assistance; 
3. conduct research, before submitting the corresponding report or 
investigation, to support or back up the commendations; 
4. to monitor and supervise the investigation conducted by members of 
the police forces; 
5. to coordinate the activities of investigation teams with social workers of 
the DSWD in the case bf abandoned or maltreated I abused children and 
dependents; 


, 
6. to continuously review and evaluate Detective Operations to achieve 
specification of detective assignments as a measure of the accomplishment of 
investigation teams; 
7. to call upon different agencies, government and nongovernmental 
organizations, for assistance and service as it may require in the discharge of its 
responsibilities; 
8. to initiate policies and programs towards an effective communication 
system to aid the search of missing persons: and 
9. to devise a system of raising the consciousness of the people and for 
them to inform the Commission of persons who are found loitering about in public 
places, tramping or wandering about aimlessly . 
. SEC. 4. Composition of the Secretariat. - There shall be a Secretariat 
for the Commission headed by an Executive Director, to be appointed by the 
Chairman and approved by a majority of the members of the Commission. The 
Commission shall fix the compensation and allowances of the Secretariat in 
accordance with the Salary Standardization Law. 
SEC. 5. Powers of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the 
power to make arrests, searches and seizures in accordance with existing laws 
and rules and shall likewise have the power to issue subpoena or subpoena 
duces tecum for the appearance of any persons for investigation. 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules. - The Commission on Human Rights shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regUlations for the effective implementation 
of this Act. 
SEC. 7. Appropriation. - The amount needed for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the Commission on Human 
Rights under the current annual General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such 
sum shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such portions not effected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,