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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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IIntroduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The ConstitJtion, Article 11, Section 5 provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty 
and property, and the promotion of the general welfare arc essential for the 
enjoyment by all people of the blessings of democracy. 
Millions of Filipinos live and work overseas while continuing to vote and pay 
taxes in the Philippines. They help in the economy and serve as economic, political, and 
cultural “ambassadors” of tlie country. 
Hence, the National Statistics Office should undertake a census of all Filipinos 
residing abroad in a special census and eventually in regular censuses as they, albeit 
living abroad, deserve to receive the same benefits and privileges local residents get. 
This bill seeks to provide for an interim census of Filipinos residing abroad for the 
purpose of eventually including them in regular censuses. 


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THIRTEENTIH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
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First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM CENSUS OF PILIPINOS RESIDING 
ABROAD AND 0 REQUIRE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS BE INCLUDED IN 
T 
REGULAR CENSUSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Census of Filipinos 
Abroad Act”. 
SECTION 2. Counting of Filipinos Residing Abroad. - 
(1) IN GENERAL - The National Statistics Office shall - 
(a) take a special census of all Filipinos residing abroad on March within 
Three IHundred Sixty (360) days after the enactment of this Act. 
(b) submit the final tabulations under the special census to the President 
and Congress within nine (9) months after the date specified in paragraph (a), 
broken down into appropriate categories, including - 
(i) Filipinos residing abroad affiliated with the Government, and 
their dependents; and 
(ii) Filipinos residing abroad not affiliated with the Government, 
and their dependents; 
(c) The office, for purposes of facilitating the census scheme, shall: 
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(i) develop counting methodologies; 
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be used; 
(ii) define the purposes for which any information could or should 
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(iii) whether Filipinos residing abroad can be included in the 
regular census for purposes of the apportionment of Representatives in 
Congress and, if so, how that should be done; 
(a) talce appropriate measures - 
(i) to provide for the inclusion of Filipinos residing abroad in the 
next regular censuses thereafter; and 
(ii) to make use of the information obtained from such censuses for 
such purposes, and to the maximum extent that, the office considers 
feasible and appropriate. 
(2) INTERIM REPORT ON SPECIAL CENSUS -Not later than ninety (90) days 
after the enactment of this Act, the National Statistics Office shall submit to the 
committees of Congress having legislative jurisdiction over the census a report which 
shall include - 
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summary of how the plans and preparations for carrying out the 
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(a) 1 
special censuses are proceeding; 
(b) a brief description or outline of how the plans and preparations for 
carrying out the special census are proceeding; 
(c) information identifying any experts, consultants, interest groups, or 
other persons outside the office who were consulted in connection with the special census 
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS - There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
SECTION 3. Separabilily Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the reminder of the law of the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 4. Repenling Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 


or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 5. Effectivily Clause. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of genera1 circulation. 
Approved. 
FN: 1959