SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS __)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodrigui

House Bill no 6944

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The need for policy research and strategic studies could not be more
compelling than at the present time. Domestic and international, political, economic
and other developments of profound significance present tremendous challenges to
the country.

Major technical advances especially in communications, information and
transportation have increased interdependence among nations.

While large-scale military confrontation has become more unlikely, competition
for resources is likely to develop more keenly. It is expected that the next arena of
competition could very well be the Asia-Pacific Region.

In many parts of Asia, outstanding territorial conflicts may fuel many interstate
tensions. Meanwhile, some states continue to build vast arsenals of weapons which
may bring about another arms race.

Contending claims over the Spratly portion of the South China Sea by several
states, including the Philippines, may result in armed confrontation.

Internally, the Philippines is beset by a continuing insurgency. The local
communist movement remains a clear and present danger to national security, with
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), together with terrorist organizations, like the
‘Abu Sayyaf continually disturbing the political stability of the country.

There is clearly an urgency in conducting scientific and continuing policy
research and strategic studies as bases for addressing our fundamental and critical
national concems.

Strategic studies have to be done by a group of selected scholar-members
who, among other things, shall:

(1) Conduct strategic research on national and international concerns;

(2) Formulate various policy options on various national concems; and

(3) Recommend the appropriate actions to support such policies and
strategies.

In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
6944

AN ACT
CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

House Bill No.

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

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS). The Institute
for Strategic Studies, hereinafter referred to as the Organization is hereby created and
established as an institution to promote understanding of fundamental, current and
emerging domestic and intemational issues and to assist the govemment in
formulating policies and strategic perspectives on those issues. It shall conduct
research on fundamental national concems in response to or in anticipation of the
needs of policy-making, conduct studies on matters of domestic and intemational
political, economic, military, socio-cultural and techno-scientific significance in an
interdisciplinary and integrative manner; identify strategies to serve the ends of policy,
design programs to effect coordinated and integrated work of other research institutes
engaged in strategic studies, undertake commissioned research work in collaboration
with outside entities/institutions consistent with its mandate; build and maintain a
resource facility and data bank; and carry out such other activities and projects which
shall enhance the mission of the organization.

SECTION 2. Powers of the Organization. The Organization shall have the following
powers:

a) Adopt, alter and use a corporate seal;

b) Take and hold by bequest, devise, gift, purchase or lease, either absolutely
or in trust, for any of its purposes, any property, real or personal, without
limitation as to amount or value, to convey such property and to invest and
reinvest any principal of the said Organization in such manner as shall best
promote its objectives;

©) Collect, receive and maintain a fund or funds and to apply the income and
Principal thereof to the promotion of its aims and purposes herein-before
set out;

4) Contract any obligation or enter into any agreement necessary or incidental
to the proper management of its corporate powers;

e) Engage in any activity, and exercise all the powers conferred by the laws
upon private or government-owned and controlled corporations, and;

f) Exercise the general powers of a duly incorporated entity as set out in the
Corporation Code.

SECTION 3. The Board of Trustees. The Organization shall be organized functionally
with the Following ‘components:
There shall be a Board of Trustees composed of the Executive
Secretary, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker,
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of National Defense,


Secretary of Science and Technology, President of the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an eminent representative
from the private sector to be appointed by the President of the
Republic of Philippines and the President of the Organization;

2) The Trustees shall elect from among themselves the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman of the Board;
3 The Board of Trustees may create an executive committee coming

from the private sector composed of five trustees including its
Chairperson, which shall have the authority to make decisions on
behalf of the Board of Trustees in between the regular meetings of
the said board. The Chair of the Board shall head the executive
committee. Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be reported
to the Board of Trustees at its meeting.

4 The trustees shall receive a per diem as may be authorized for
every meeting actually attended, in addition to reasonable
transportation and representation expenses.

5. The Board shall provide guidance to the Policy Council on the
thrusts, objectives, policies, researches, agenda, programs and
other activities of the organization.

SEC 4. Policy Council. There shall be a Policy Council, composed of an Executive
Director and five others as Members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President
of Republic of the Philippines from among the present members of the Strategic
Studies Group of the National Defense College of the Philippines, as presently
constituted, for a term of six years. The Council shall have the following authority:

1 To formulate the thrusts, objectives, policies, research agenda,
programs and other activities;

2. To oversee, monitor and evaluate all research work and studies;

3. To designate Research Fellows with notable scholarship to do and

or/direct research work and strategic studies in various
functional/area program of the organization that are relevant to their
areas of expertise;

4. To determine and fill up other positions in the Organization and fix
the salaries, honoraria, allowances and other emoluments of all
officers and members of the Organization.

SEC 5. Autonomy and Academic Freedom of the Organization. The Organization shall
be an autonomous and self-governing institution governed by the principle of academic
freedom; it shall neither be organic nor be part of any government instrumentality. It
shall be attached to the Office of the President to facilitate its budgetary and other
administrative requirements and for the purpose of policy coordination

SEC 6. Assistance from Govemment Departments and Agencies. To assist in its
functions, govemment departments, agencies, units or instrumentalities shall allow the
Organization access to their official files, records, data and other documents, provided
such access is consistent with the requirements of confidentiality

SEC 7. Exemptions. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,
appointments to the research and administrative staff of the Organization may be on a
full-time basis and shall be exempt from the requirements and restrictions of the Civil
Service and retirement laws, other laws, rules and regulations on position-classification
and salary standardization and Section Two Hundred Fifty Nine of the Revised
Administrative Code; Provided, that any government retiree employed in the
Organization shall not be required to reimburse or refund any gratuity received from


the government nor shall any pension or annuity to which he is entitled be suspended
or reduced on account of his employment in the Organization

SEC 8. Services of Outside Agencies and of Private Sector. The Organization may,
for the purpose of research, field work and other activities, obtain and pay for the
services of the personnel of any agency of the Philippine Government and/or private
sector to perform research or field work and such other activities as may be needed.

SEC 9. Endowment Fund.

1 ‘An Endowment Fund shall be created to provide for non-recurring
expenditures of the Organization. For this purpose, the amount of
Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) is hereby
appropnated from any fund in the National Treasury. The
Endowment Fund shall be administered as a trust fund with the
Board of Trustees thereof, provided that the principal of said
endowment shall not be subject to impairment and provided further
that the earings thereof, shall constitute a trust fund available for
non-recurring and unprogrammed expenditures of the Organization.

Any or all savings of the Organization shall form part of the trust funds

provided in Section 9, above.

SEC 10. Appropriation. There is hereby appropriated the amount of Five Hundred
Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) out of any unappropriated funds in the National
Treasury for such initial requirements as capital outlay and infrastructures of the
Organization. Thereafter, the Congress of the Philippines shall include as part of its
budgetary appropriations the amount of at least Fifty Million (P50,000,000.00) pesos to
finance the recurring and operational expenditures of the Organization.

SEC 11. 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 12. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of
this publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,