4
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHIILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
•01 
Senate
o( ttjr feffrftarf
*1f 
SEP 16 
P I 3 7
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF MEMBERS, OFFICIALS, EMPLOYEES AND 
GUESTS OF CONGRESS AND THE SAFETY OF CONGRESSIONAL PREMISES, 
CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE CONGRESSIONAL POLICE FORCE, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Congress has traditionally relied upon law enforcem ent agencies like the Armed 
Forces o f the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to com plem ent the Offices 
of Sergeant-at-Arm s o f the House o f Representatives and the Senate in ensuring the 
security o f Members and Officials o f Congress as well as the safety o f congressional 
premises. In more than one occasion, Congress has had to rely on the m ilitary and 
police officers to perform  functions essential to legislation, such as serving subpoenas, 
contem pt orders, and warrants of arrest. Such dependence on the executive agencies, 
while legally sanctioned, nonetheless impairs the independence o f the Legislature and 
its capacity to establish its own security and operational protocols w ithin its own 
premises.
This bill seeks to create a Congressional Police Force mandated to m aintain 
peace and order, safety and security in Congress, and to perform  tasks essential for 
Congress to carry out its legislative mandates. As the prim ary law enforcem ent agency 
concerned w ith the security o f Congress, the Congressional Police shall be mandated 
to safeguard Members and Officials of Congress and members of their respective 
im m ediate families, as well as the employees and guests on congressional premises. 
As an agent o f Congress, the Congressional Police is empowered to assist Members


and Officials of Congress in the performance o f their constitutional duties, such as 
serving subpoenas and warrants, effecting arrests w ithin congressional premises, and 
facilitating the processing o f firearm s licenses and permits.
Ultim ately, this bill intends to protect a cornerstone of Philippine democracy -  
a safe, independent, open and functioning legislature.
In view o f the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
/mdg
R A^PHG


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
Mfitt o( tl)f feptrrtarp
•If 
SEP 16 PI 37
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF MEMBERS, OFFICIALS, EMPLOYEES AND 
GUESTS OF CONGRESS AND THE SAFETY OF CONGRESSIONAL PREMISES, 
CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE CONGRESSIONAL POLICE FORCE, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted b y the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. S hort Tide. -  This Act shall be known as the "C ongressional Police
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Force A c t"
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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ensure that governm ent agencies and instrum entalities perform  their respective
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constitutional and legal mandate in a safe, secure and open environm ent. Towards this
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end, a law enforcem ent organization under the direct control and supervision o f
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Congress shall be organized to ensure the effective and unimpeded performance of the
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Legislature of its constitutionally-enshrined duty to the Filipino People.
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Sec. 3. D efinition o f  Terms. -  For the purpose of this Act:
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a) Congress sh^W refer to the bicameral legislative body comprised of the House
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of Representatives and the Senate;
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b) Congressional Premises shall refer to any land, office, building or facility
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acquired through lease, donation, purchase, inter-governm ent transfer, or otherwise,
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for the use of the House of Representatives and the Senate;
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c) Legislative Employeess\\d\\ refer to the following: perm anent, contractual and
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casual employees o f the Secretariat o f the House of Representatives or the Senate, co­
i l  
term inus staff of incum bent district and party-list representatives or senators, and


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consultants w ith valid contract o f service w ith any office, bureau or service under the 
House of Representatives or the Senate;
d) Mem bers o f Congress shd\\ refer to duly-elected representatives o f legislative 
districts and party-lists, and senators; and
e) Officials o f Congress s\\aW refer to the following: the Speaker of the House o f 
Representatives, Deputy Speakers o f the House o f Representatives, M ajority Leader o f 
the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the House o f Representatives, 
Secretary-General o f the House o f Representatives, Sergeant-at-Arm s of the House o f 
Representatives, President o f the Senate, President Pro Tempore o f the Senate, 
M ajority Leader o f the Senate, Minority Leader o f the of the Senate, Secretary o f the 
Senate and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, or any other official elected by a m ajority 
of Members o f the House o f Representatives or the Senate;
Sec. 4. Congressional Police Force. -  The Congressional Police Force is hereby 
created for the purpose of effectively discharging the functions provided in this Act and 
shall be composed o f the Congressional Police Board and the Congressional Police. For 
the purpose o f adm inistration and appropriation, the Congressional Police Force shall 
be created as an attached agency to the Congress o f the Philippines.
Sec. 5. Congressional Police Board. -  The Congressional Police Board, hereinafter 
referred to as the Board, is hereby created as an agency mandated to exercise 
adm inistrative control and operational supervision over the Congressional Police. The 
Board shall be a collegial body composed of three regular commissioners composed o f 
the Sergeant-at-Arm s o f the House of Representatives, Sergeant-at-Arm s o f the Senate, 
and the Chief o f the Congressional Police.
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions o f  the Board. -  The Board shall exercise the 
following powers and functions:
a) Exercise adm inistrative control over the Congressional Police;
b) Advise the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President o f the 
Senate on all m atters involving the security of Members and Officials o f Congress and 
the safety o f congressional premises and legislative employees;
c) Foster and develop policies and promulgate rules and regulations, standards 
and procedures to im prove the capacity of the Congressional Police to perform  its duties 
and functions;


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d) Prepare a congressional police manual prescribing rules and regulations for 
efficient organization, adm inistration, and operation, including personnel recruitm ent, 
selection, prom otion, separation and retirem ent;
e) Approve or modify plans and programs on education and training, logistical 
requirem ents, com munications, records, inform ation systems, and other m atters 
pertinent to the operations o f the Congressional Police;
f) Resolve any com plaint filed against officials and members o f the Congressional 
Police, including the determ ination and imposition of appropriate punishm ent and 
penalties;
g) Prescribe m inim um  standards for arms, equipm ent, and uniform s and, after 
consultation w ith the National Historical Commission o f the Philippines (NHCP), fo r 
insignia of ranks, awards and medals of honor;
h) Issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum  on m atters pertaining to the 
adm inistration o f the Congressional Police; and
i) Perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as may be provided 
by law or assigned by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President of 
the Senate.
Sec. 7. Sum m ary Dismissal Powers o f the Congressional Police Board a n d  the 
C hief o f the Congressional P o lic e .-J \\e  Board and the Chief o f the Congressional Police, 
after due notice and sum m ary hearings, may im m ediately remove or dismiss any 
respondent Congressional Police member in any of the following cases;
a) When the charge is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong;
b) When the respondent is a recidivist or has been repeatedly charged and there 
are reasonable grounds to believe that he is guilty of the charges; and
c) When the respondent is guilty o f a serious offense involving conduct 
unbecoming o f a Congressional Police officer.
Any commissioned or non-commissioned officer of the Congressional Police who 
shall be absent w ithout official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period o f th irty (30) days 
or more may be dismissed im m ediately from  the service. The activities and whereabouts 
o f the erring congressional police officer during the period shall be investigated and, if 
warranted, prosecuted accordingly.


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Sec. 8. Congressional Police. -  The Congressional Police is hereby created as a 
law enforcem ent organization dedicated to secure Members and Officials of Congress 
and members o f their respective families, legislative employees and guests, to ensure 
safety of congressional premises, and to sustain the unimpeded perform ance o f the 
Legislature of its constitutional mandate. The Congressional Police shall be initially 
comprised o f employees under the Office of Sergeant-at-Arms of the House o f 
Representatives and the Senate engaged in the im plem entation o f security rules, 
regulations and protocols of Congress, protection of Members and Officials of Congress, 
maintenance of peace, order, and safety within congressional premises, procurem ent 
of logistics and other supplies, execution or serving of summons, warrants or subpoena, 
and 
other 
sim ilar 
duties 
and 
functions. 
Thereafter, 
commissioned 
and 
non­
commissioned officers o f the Congressional Police shall be recruited in accordance with 
the provisions o f this Act.
Sec. 9. Duties and Functions. -  The Congressional Police shall exercise the 
following duties and functions:
a) Protect the person of any Member or Official of Congress, or any m em ber of 
their im m ediate fam ily, in any location within the Philippines, upon the determ ination 
of the Board th a t such protection is necessary;
b) Ensure the safety of legislative employees and guests w ithin congressional 
facilities;
c) Protect congressional offices, buildings and grounds and other facilities owned 
or used by Congress;
d) Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and 
properties w ithin congressional premises;
e) Maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to ensure public safety 
w ithin congressional premises;
f) Effect the arrest, w ith or w ithout w arrant, for any offense against the Republic 
of the Philippines com m itted in their presence, or for any felony as cognizable under 
the Philippine laws com m itted or being com m itted w ithin congressional premises;
g) Serve warrants and subpoenas that may be issued by or upon order of the 
House of Representatives or the Senate;


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h) Coordinate w ith other law enforcem ent agencies in providing physical security 
for Members and Officials o f Congress outside congressional premises and in collecting 
and sharing intelligence pertinent in ensuring the security of congressional premises 
and the safety o f Members and Officials of Congress and the members o f their 
im m ediate fam ily;
i) Procure and maintain firearms, am m unitions and other equipm ent and 
facilities necessary for the performance of its duties and functions;
j) Facilitate the application and issuance of License to Own and Possess Firearms 
(LTOPF) or Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) to Members and 
Officials o f Congress, members o f the Congressional Police, and qualified legislative 
employees; and
k) Perform such other duties and exercise all other functions as may be provided 
by law or assigned by the Board.
Sec. 10. Organization. -  The Congressional Police shall be headed by a Chief 
who shall be assisted by tw o (2) deputy chiefs. The Chief and Deputy Chiefs of the 
Congressional Police shall be appointed jointly by the Speaker o f the House and the 
President of the Senate.
Sec. 11. Powers and Functions o f the C hief o f the Congressionai Poiice. -  The 
command and direction o f the Congressional Police shall be vested in the Chief o f the 
Congressional Police who shall have the power to direct and control tactical as well as 
strategic m ovements, deploym ent, placement, utilization o f the Congressional Police or 
any of its units and personnel, including its equipm ent, facilities and other resources.
Sec. 
12. 
Rank Ciassification. -  For purposes o f efficient adm inistration, 
supervision and control, the rank classification of the members o f the Congressional 
Police shall be as follows:
Congressional Police Major General 
Congressional Police Brigadier General 
Congressional Police Colonel 
Congressional Police Lieutenant Colonel 
Congressional Police Major 
Congressional Police Captain 
Congressional Police Lieutenant


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Congressional Police Executive Master Sergeant
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Congressional Police Chief Master Sergeant.
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Congressional Police Senior Master Sergeant
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Congressional Police Master Sergeant
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Congressional Police Staff Sergeant
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Congressional Police Corporal
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Congressional Patrolman/Patrolwoman
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Sec. 13. Qualifications. -  No person shall be appointed as officer or m em ber o f
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the Congressional Police unless the prospective congressional police officer possesses
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the following m inim um  qualifications:
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a) 
A citizen o f the Philippines;
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b) A person o f good moral conduct;
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c) 
Must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests to be
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conducted by any governm ent hospital for the purpose o f determ ining physical and
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mental health;
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d) 
Must possess a form al baccalaureate degree from  a recognized institution o f
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learning;
e) 
Must be eligible in accordance with the standards set by the Commission;
f) 
Must not have been dishonorably discharged from  m ilitary em ploym ent or
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dismissed fo r cause from  any civilian position in the Government;
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g) 
Must not have been convicted by final judgm ent o f an offense or crime
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involving moral turpitude;
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h) 
Must be eligible in accordance w ith the standards set by the Board; and
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i) 
For a new applicant, m ust not be less than tw enty-one (21) nor more than
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th irty  (30) years of age:
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Provided, That w ith the exception o f the last qualification, the above-enum erated
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qualifications shall be continuing in character and an absence of any one of them  at any
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given tim e shall be a ground for separation or retirem ent from  the service.
Sec. 14. Training Program. -  All uniform ed members o f the Congressional Police
shall undergo a training program involving actual experience in patrol operations, 
executive protection and physical defense, emergency medical response, firearm s and 
marksmanship, intelligence gathering and investigation, search and seizure, disaster
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and crisis response, and other relevant skills and proficiencies as a requirem ent for 
permanency o f their appointm ent. Commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the 
Congressional Police shall undergo training and education in the Philippine Public Safety 
College or any equivalent training institutions to be selected by the Board.
Sec. 15. Salaries and Benefits. -  The uniform ed personnel and civilian employees 
of the Congressional Police shall receive salaries, benefits, and allowances authorized 
for their respective positions pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations.
Sec. 
16. 
Uniform ed Personnel Promotion. -  Any commissioned or non­
commissioned officer of the Congressional Police shall be eligible for prom otion upon 
the satisfaction of all requirem ents for prom otion prescribed by the Board: Provided, 
That special or m eritorious promotion may be extended, upon validation o f the Board, 
to any commissioned or non-commissioned officer of the Congressional Police for 
actions dem onstrating a deed of personal bravery, courage, gallantry, or self-sacrifice 
above and beyond the call of duty.
Sec. 17. Death an d Disability Benefits. -  Commissioned or non-commissioned 
officers o f the Congressional Police and/or their legal beneficiaries shall be entitled to 
all benefits relative to the death or perm anent incapacity suffered in the performance 
of their duty as provided for under this Act and other existing laws.
A commissioned or non-commissioned officer o f the Congressional Police who is 
perm anently and totally disabled as a result of injuries suffered or sickness contracted 
in the performance o f the officer's duty shall, upon finding and certification by the 
appropriate medical officer that the extent o f the disability or sickness renders such 
congressional police officer is unfit or unable to further perform  the duties of the said 
officer's position as duly certified by the Board, be entitled to one year's salary and to 
lifetim e pension equivalent to eighty percent (80% ) of the officer's last salary, in 
addition to other benefits as provided under existing laws.
Should such congressional police officer who has been retired under perm anent 
total disability under this section dies w ithin five (5) years from  the officer's retirem ent, 
the officer's surviving legal spouse or, if there be none, the surviving dependent 
legitim ate children shall be entitled to the pension for the remainder of the five (5) 
years guaranteed period.


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Sec. 18. Compulsory R etirem ent -  Compulsory retirem ent shall be upon the
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attainm ent o f age fifty-six (56) years for commissioned and non-commissioned officers
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o f the Congressional Police.
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Sec. 19. O ptional R etirem ent -  A commissioned and non-commissioned officer
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o f the Congressional Police shall, at the officer's own request and w ith the approval o f
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the Commission, be retired from  the service and entitled to receive benefits provided
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fo r by law: Provided, That the commissioned and non-commissioned officer concerned
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m ust accumulate at least tw enty (20) years of satisfactory active service prior to the
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application for optional retirem ent.
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Sec. 20. R etirem ent in the N ext Higher Rank. -  Commissioned and non-
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commissioned officers of the Congressional Police shall, for the purpose o f retirem ent
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pay, be retired in one (1) rank higher than the permanent rank last held: Provided, That
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they have served for at least one (1) year of active service in the perm anent rank.
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Sec. 21. R etirem ent Benefits. -  Monthly retirem ent pay shall be fifty  percent
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(50% ) of the base pay and longevity pay of the retired rank in case of tw enty (20)
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years o f active service, increasing by two and one-half percent (2.5% ) fo r every year
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of active service rendered beyond tw enty (20) years to a maxim um o f ninety percent
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(90% ) fo r thirty-six (36) years of active service and over: Provided, That, the
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commissioned and non-commissioned officers o f the Congressional Police shall have
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the option to receive in advance and in lump sum their respective retirem ent pay fo r
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the first five (5) years: Provided, further. That paym ent o f the retirem ent benefits in
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lump sum shall be made w ithin one (1) month from effectivity date o f retirem ent and/or
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com pletion: Provided, finally. That retirem ent pay of the commissioned and non-
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commissioned officers o f the Congressional Police shall be subject to adjustm ents based
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on the prevailing scale o f base pay o f police personnel in the active service.
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Sec. 22. U niform ed Personnel Pension Fund. -  A Uniformed Personnel (U/P)
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Insurance Fund, hereinafter referred to as U/P Insurance Fund, shall be created to
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manage and finance the pension requirements of the uniform ed personnel of the
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Congressional Police.
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The G overnm ent Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall be responsible fo r the
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adm inistration o f the U/P Insurance Fund and the im plem entation o f the pertinent
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provisions of this Act: Provided, T fiat the U/P Insurance Fund shall be adm inistered and


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reported separately from  the GSIS Social Insurance Fund provided under Section 34 o f 
Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as " The G overnm ent Service Insurance System 
A c t o f 1997."
The U/P Insurance Fund shall not be used for purposes other than those provided 
for under this Act. No portion of the U/P Insurance Fund or income thereof shall accrue 
to the General Fund of the national governm ent and its political subdivisions, 
instrum entalities and other agencies including governm ent-owned and controlled 
corporations except as may be allowed under this Act.
Sec. 23. Insurance Fund Generation. -  Congress shall, on a m onthly basis, 
contribute to the U/P Insurance Fund an am ount equivalent to fifteen percent (15% ) 
o f the m onthly base pay of their uniformed personnel of the Congressional Police. 
Uniformed personnel o f the Congressional Police shall, on a m onthly basis, contribute 
to the U/P Insurance Fund an am ount equivalent to six percent (6 % ) o f their respective 
m onthly base pay.
The manner o f collection and rem ittance of contributions to the U/P Insurance 
Fund shall be in accordance w ith the relevant provisions o f Republic Act No. 8291, 
otherwise known a s '' The G overnm ent Service Insurance System A ct o f 1997."
Sec. 24. Insurance Fund Investm ents. -  The portions o f the U/P Insurance Fund 
which are not needed to meet any current obligation may be invested in accordance 
w ith Section 36 o f Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known a s " The G overnm ent Service 
Insurance System A ct o f 1997."
Sec. 25. Grant o f A dditional R etirem ent and Separation Benefits. -  GSIS may, 
upon determ ination o f actuarial soundness, provide better pension benefits to qualified 
uniform ed personnel retirees covered by the U/P Insurance Fund.
Sec. 26. Insurance Fund Exemptions from  Tax, Legal Process a n d  Lien. -  Any 
provision of the law to the contrary notwithstanding, all contributions for the U/P 
Insurance Fund and all accruals thereto and income or investm ent earnings therefrom  
shall be exem pt from  any tax, assessment, fee, charge, or customs or im port duty in 
accordance w ith Section 39 o f Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as " The 
G overnm ent Service Insurance System A ct o f 1997."


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Sec. 27. Insurance Fund Guarantee. -  The governm ent o f the Republic of the 
Philippines hereby guarantees the fulfillm ent o f the obligations of the GSIS to uniform ed 
personnel o f the Congressional Police covered by the U/P Insurance Fund as and when 
they fall due.
Sec. 28. Cost o f U/P Insurance Fund Administration. -  The U/P Insurance Fund 
shall bear the costs o f its adm inistration and development, in such am ounts and for 
lim its as the GSIS Board o f Trustees may deem appropriate, but not exceeding ten 
percent (10% ) o f the annual revenues from  all sources: Provided, T h a t^ e  President 
of the Philippines may, on the basis o f actuarial and m anagem ent studies, increase 
allotm ent for the adm inistrative and operational expenses for the U/P Insurance Fund.
Sec. 29. Insurance Fund A u d it -  The audit o f the U/P Insurance Fund shall be 
conducted in accordance w ith Section 22 of Republic Act No. 8291, otherwise known as 
" The G overnm ent Service Insurance System A ct o f 1997."
Sec. 30. R etirem ent and Separation o f N on-U niform ed Personnel Employees o f 
the Congressional Police. -  The retirem ent and separation of non-uniform ed personnel 
of the Congressional Police shall be in accordance with existing civil service laws, rules 
and regulations.
Sec. 31. Rationalization o f R etirem ent and Separation Benefits. -  The Board shall 
form ulate a rationalized retirem ent and separation benefits schedule and program 
w ithin one (1) year from  the effectivity of this Act for approval by Congress: Provided, 
That the approved schedule and program shall have retroactive effect in favor of 
commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the Congressional Police retired or 
separated from  the tim e specified in the law, unless the retirem ent or separation is for 
cause and the decision denies the grant of benefits.
Sec. 32. Assistance o f  Agencies under the Executive D epartm ent -  Upon the 
request o f the Board, governm ent agencies and instrum entalities under the Executive 
Departm ent may extend assistance to the Congressional Police in the perform ance o f 
its duties and functions by providing services (including personnel), equipm ent, and 
facilities on a tem porary or perm anent basis.
Sec. 33. Organizational Structure and S taffing Pattern. -  Subject to the approval 
o f the Departm ent o f Budget and Management (DBM), the Board and the Congressional 
Police shall determ ine its organizational structure and create new bureaus, divisions or
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units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers and personnel in accordance 
w ith existing laws, rules, and regulations.
Sec. 34. Transition Period. -  The transfer o f the pertinent functions, assets, 
funds, equipm ent, properties, records, transactions, and personnel, and the form ulation 
of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and budget fo r the 
Congressional Police, shall be completed within six (6) months from  the effectivity o f 
this Act, during which tim e, the existing personnel shall continue to assume their posts 
in holdover capacities until new appointm ents are issued: Provided, That the Board, in 
coordination w ith the DBM, shall determ ine and create new positions and its 
corresponding funding requirem ents: Provided, further. That any perm anent or regular 
employee transferred to the Congressional Police shall not suffer any reduction, 
dim inution or withdrawal of salaries and benefits already enjoyed by the employee 
concerned.
Sec. 35. Appropriations. -  The am ount necessary for the im plem entation of the 
provisions o f this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
following its enactm ent into law.
Sec. 36. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. -  Tfie House o f Representatives 
and the Senate, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, DBM and GSIS, shall 
jo in tly prom ulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations w ithin th irty (30) 
days upon the effectivity o f this Act.
Sec. 37. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
parts thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 38. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision o f this Act or any 
part thereof shall be held unconstitutional and invalid, the other parts or provisions o f 
this Act, which are not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 39. E ffectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
com plete publication in the O fficial Gazette oy in at least tw o (2) newspapers o f general 
circulation.
Approved,
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