1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4246 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
REFUGEES 
AND 
STATELESS 
PERSONS 
PROTECTION OFFICE, PROVIDING FOR THE REFUGEE AND 
STATELESS 
PERSON 
STATUS 
DETERMINATION 
PROCEDURE, 
SETTING FORTH THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS, AND TREATMENT OF 
RECOGNIZED REFUGEES AND STATELESS PERSONS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has a deeply rooted culture of hospitality and compassion for 
others. Since the early 1900s, it has opened its arms and served as a safe haven for 
vulnerable and marginalized refugees1 asylum seekers, stateless applicants, stateless 
persons, and populations at risk of statelessness who often fall through the cracks of 
State systems. 
1 To date, there have been nine (9) waves of refugees in the Philippines. This serves as a testament to the country as a beacon of hope and humanitarian spirit for 
those who need protection. There are also 13 cities who stand in solidarity #WithRefugees. For more information, please refer to the 9 waves of refugees in the 
Philippines. 
The President, in commemoration of World Refugee Day, issued Presidential Proclamation No. 265 series of 2023 declaring every 20 June as National Refugee 
Day. It enjoins relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, among other stakeholders to participate and support in the implementation 
of the Proclamation. It also highlights relevant frameworks such as Executive Order No. 163 series of 2022 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023 - 2028.  
Source:  
a.
Presidential Proclamation No. 265 series of 2023
September 1, 2025
3:49 pm


2 
The country’s steadfast commitment to provide a favorable and protective 
environment for these persons of concern (POC) is embodied in our robust policy 
and legal framework. The Philippines is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific 
region to become a State Party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of 
Refugees and its 1967 Protocol (henceforth referred to as the 1951 Refugee 
Convention and its 1967 Protocol)2 in 1981 and is the first in Southeast Asia to ratify 
the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons3 (hereafter referred 
to as the 1954 Statelessness Convention) in 2011 and the 1961 Convention on the 
Reduction of Statelessness4 in 2022. It has also adopted the Global Compact on 
Refugees5 in 2018. These highlight how States can identify and better protect and 
promote the rights of refugees and stateless persons. Executive Order No. 163 series 
of 2022 institutionalizes access to protection services for refugees, asylum seekers, 
and stateless persons and establishes an inter-agency mechanism to implement the 
same. In line with this and through the years, several policies and laws providing 
access to social services6, employment, livelihood and practice of profession7, 
education8, access to justice9, documentation and the right to freedom of 
2 For more information on the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, please refer to: https://www.unhcr.org/3b66c2aa10.  
3 For more information on the 1954 Statelessness Convention, please refer to: https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong/wp-content/uploads/1954-Convention-relating-to-the-
Status-of-Stateless-Persons_ENG.pdf  
4 For reference, please see: https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong/wp-content/uploads/1961-Convention-on-the-reduction-of-Statelessness_ENG.pdf  
5 The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) serves as the blueprint to strengthen responses to refugee movements and situations of prolonged displacement and 
enable refugees to be self-reliant in order to contribute to their communities and live dignified lives. For more information, please see: https://www.unhcr.org/ph/the-
global-compact-on-refugees 
6 Such as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2022-15 (as amended by DSWD MC No. 2022-16) which 
includes refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons in the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.  
Source: 
1.
DSWD MC No. 2022-016 
2.
DSWD MC No. 2022-015 
7 Such as: 
a.
Department of Labor and Employment Order No. 186-17 exempting refugees and stateless persons from securing an Alien Employment Permit, thereby 
allowing them to access gainful employment in the country. To implement the same, the DOLE, Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, and the 
Bureau of Internal Revenue issued joint guidelines on the same. 
b.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Administrative Order No. 3883 (An Act to Regulate the Transaction of Names Other than True Names) which 
allows refugees and stateless persons to be able to engage in agriculture, industry, handicrafts, and commerce and to establish commercial and 
industrial companies. 
c. 
DTI Internal Memorandum dated 25 November 2016 on extending assistance to refugees in DTI Negosyo Centers. 
d.
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Resolution No. 1865 series of 2024 providing for the Special Rules on the Documentary Requirements 
Applicable to Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Stateless Persons Applying for Special Temporary Permit (STP) in the Philippines 
8 Refugees and stateless children are able to access basic education in the Philippines on an equal basis with other children pursuant to Republic Act 10533 
otherwise known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.  
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) issued Circular No. 24 series of 2018 which aims to assist asylum seekers, refugees, and 
stateless persons in the identification of the needed skills training and provision of access to technical education and vocational training institutions and providers 
offering regular programs where courses offered are not subsidized by government funds. 
9 The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), by virtue of its mandate, membership under the Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC) on the Protection of Refugees, Asylum 
Seekers, and Stateless Persons, and the PAO-UNHCR Memorandum of Understanding, renewed in 2023, provides free legal assistance and representation to 
indigent refugees, stateless persons as well as asylum and stateless applicants. Further, Section 5(f), Rule I of the Department of Justice Circular No. 24 series of 
2022 persons of concern enjoy several rights, including “courts and legal assistance”.  


3 
movement10, and acquisition/recognition/confirmation of Philippine citizenship11
have been issued. These have been the product of the Philippines’ inter-agency and 
holistic approach to refugee protection and addressing statelessness as embodied in 
the Inter-Agency Committee on the Protection of Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and 
Stateless Persons (IAC) pursuant to Executive Order No. 163 series of 2022, the 
Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC)12 on the Protection of Refugees, Asylum 
Seekers, and Stateless Persons created by virtue of an Agreement of the same name 
and the 7 Technical Working Groups (TWG) under the 7-Action Point National 
Action Plan (NAP) to End Statelessness13.  
The Department of Justice issued Department of Justice Circular No. 24 series 
of 202214, repealing its Circular No. 58 series of 201215, and thereby enhancing the 
Refugee and Stateless Status Determination Procedure with the Department of 
Justice – Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit (DOJ-RSPPU) at its helm. 
The strengthened non-adversarial and administrative procedure is governed by the 
right to due process as well as principles under international law, such as non-
10 Pursuant to existing laws and policies (such as Republic Act 11983, otherwise known as the New Philippine Passport Act and its implementing rules and regulations 
(IRR), and Commonwealth Act 613, otherwise known as the Philippine Immigration Law of 1940, Department of Justice Circular No. 24 series of 2022, Department 
of Justice Circular No. 26), refugees and stateless persons are accorded with travel documents that allow them to legally enter, leave, and stay in the country. 
Republic Act 11055 (Philippine Identification System Act) and its IRR also includes refugees, stateless persons and populations at risk of statelessness in the 
implementation of the national ID system. It should be further noted that pursuant to Section 13 of Commonwealth Act 613, stateless persons are also issued with 
visas.  
To date more than 100 refugees have been registered in the PhilSys following the 1st and 2nd National Refugee Day celebrations.  
Sources:  
1.
Republic Act 11983 (which repealed Republic Act 8239) and its IRR 
2.
Commonwealth Act 613 
3.
Department of Justice Circular No. 24 series of 2022 
4.
Department of Justice Circular No. 26 series of 2018 
5.
Republic Act 11055 
11Operationalizing the 2016 Supreme Court rulings on foundlings, Republic Act 11767 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations recognizes foundlings as 
presumed natural-born Filipino citizens.  
The Supreme Court en banc approved the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons and its accompanying Guidelines on the 
Implementation of the Alternative Publication on the Official Website of the Supreme Court of Petitions for Naturalization Involving Refugees and Stateless Persons. 
The Rule, while anchored on Commonwealth Act 473, expedites the judicial naturalization procedure and introduces innovations, in line with the Supreme Court’s 
rule-making power. These include the conduct of continuous trial, alternative publication in the Supreme Court website,  allowing unaccompanied children to file a 
petition for naturalization in line with the right of the child to a nationality, and reduced docket and other legal fees. It also upholds the principle of non-discrimination 
in view of the disqualifications and further considers the specific and unique vulnerabilities of refugees and stateless persons with regard to qualifications and 
documentary requirements. 
Judicial or Administrative Naturalization procedures under Commonwealth Act 473 (Revised Naturalization Law) and Republic Act 9139 (The Administrative 
Naturalization Law of 2000) remain accessible to asylum seekers and other foreign nationals. 
Sources: 
1.
Republic Act 11767 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations
2.
Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons and Guidelines on the Implementation of the Alternative Publication on the Official 
Website of the Supreme Court of Petitions for Naturalization Involving Refugees and Stateless Persons 
3.
Commonwealth Act 473 
4.
Republic Act 9139 
12 The Inter-Agency Steering Committee aims to ensure access to rights and services in view of the Philippines’ obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and 
its 1967 Protocol and 1954 Statelessness Convention. It is composed of 19 member agencies (from the Executive and Judicial branches of Government) and is 
further categorized into four clusters: (a) Documentation and Coordination, (b) Access to Justice, (c) Welfare Assistance and Health, and (d) Self-Reliance and 
Education. The IASC has been crucial in further enhancing the policy framework of the Philippines n refugee protection and statelessness (for more information 
please refer to footnote #s 3 to 8).   
13 Formally launched in 2017, the National Action Plan (NAP) to End Statelessness utilizes a four-pronged approach to addressing statelessness through identification 
and protection of stateless persons and prevention and reduction of statelessness. The NAP’s Technical Working Groups are co-led by the Department of Justice 
and another mandated government agency and its members are composed of agencies from all branches of Government. It works with the IASC to ensure that 
stateless persons and populations at risk of statelessness are able to access rights and services.  
14 Department of Justice Circular No. 24 series of 2022 
15 Department of Justice Circular No. 58 series of 2012 


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refoulement, non-detention on account of being an applicant, refugee or stateless 
person, non-deprivation of refugee or stateless status, non-discrimination, and 
preservation and promotion of family unity, among others. It outlines the mandate 
of the DOJ-RSPPU as the lead agency on these POC and is tasked to coordinate with 
relevant government agencies and other key stakeholders to provide durable 
solutions and ensure the protection of POC.  
Despite these positive developments, the Philippines has yet to enact a 
comprehensive and enabling law for refugees, asylum seekers, stateless applicants, 
stateless persons and populations at risk of statelessness. The institutional capacity 
of the DOJ-RSPPU is constrained by the lack of an allocated budget and limited staff 
complement as Protection Officers of the RSPPU concurrently perform their roles 
as State Counsels of the Legal Staff of the DOJ16. In addition, a guiding law, together 
with Executive Order No. 163 series of 2022, will enable relevant agencies such as 
the members of the IASC, IAC, and NAP TWGs, to pursue more inclusive policies, 
plans, and programs. With these in mind, this bill aims to: 
1. Institutionalize the Refugee and Stateless Status Determination Procedure;
2. Outline the rights and obligations of refugees and stateless persons
pursuant to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the
1954 Statelessness Convention; and,
3. Expand the current Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit into an
Office with allocated funding in the General Appropriations Act and
designated personnel with expertise on refugee protection and addressing
statelessness.
This proposed measure is also being undertaken to realize the vision set forth 
in the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind and Chapter 3 of the Philippine 
Development Plan 2023 - 202817. It also seeks to fulfill the Philippines’ 
commitments to enhance the legislative framework for refugees and stateless 
persons as manifested during the 2019 and 2023 Global Refugee Forum18, 2019 
16 It should be noted that in 2023, the Senate has successfully advocated for the inclusion of financial resources for the DOJ-RSPPU under the 2024 General 
Appropriations Act.  
17 Source: https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PDP-2023-2028_Chapter-3.pdf.  
In the previous Philippine Development Plan (for 2017 - 2022) includes refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons in Chapters 11 and 21 and identifies the 
following strategies to ensure their continued protection: (1) enhancement of the policy and legislative framework, (2) institutionalization of access to social services, 
and (3) development of the database management system on these persons of concern. 
18 For more information on the Philippines’ pledges during the Global Refugee Forum, please see: https://www.unhcr.org/events/conferences/5ecd458c4/outcomes-
global-refugee-forum-2019.html 


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High-Level Segment on Statelessness19 and the 2011 Ministerial Intergovernmental 
Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons20.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K.  ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A.  ACIDRE 
19 For more information on the Philippines’ pledges during the High-Level Segment on Statelessness, please see: https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong/results-of-the-high-
level-segment-on-statelessness/ 
20  For more information on the Philippines’ pledges during the Ministerial Intergovernmental Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons, please see: 
https://www.refworld.org/docid/50aca6112.html  


1 
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4246 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
REFUGEES 
AND 
STATELESS 
PERSONS 
PROTECTION OFFICE, PROVIDING FOR THE REFUGEE AND 
STATELESS 
PERSON 
STATUS 
DETERMINATION 
PROCEDURE, 
SETTING FORTH THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS, AND TREATMENT OF 
RECOGNIZED REFUGEES AND STATELESS PERSONS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Chapter 1 
GENERAL PRINCIPLES 
SECTION 1. Short Title – This Act shall be known as the “Comprehensive 
Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Act”. 


2 
 
 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value 
the dignity of every human being, including refugees, asylum seekers, stateless 
applicants, stateless persons, and populations at risk of statelessness and to guarantee 
the respect for individual rights. In pursuit of this policy, the State shall give priority 
to the enactment of measures and development of programs that will promote the 
human dignity of refugees, stateless applicants, stateless persons, and populations at 
risk of statelessness and, protect them from any threat or violence and further 
persecution and exploitation, and ensure their reintegration into mainstream society. 
 
In keeping with core international human rights instruments to which the State 
is a party, and consistent with Section 2, Article II of the 1987 Constitution which 
adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the 
land, the State shall exert efforts to address the vulnerabilities of refugees, asylum 
seekers, stateless applicants, stateless persons, and populations at risk of 
statelessness and by codifying matters pertaining to their status, obligations, rights 
and treatment, in keeping with their fundamental freedoms guaranteed under the 
provisions of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 
Protocol, and the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and 
the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.  
 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms – As used in this Act, the following terms are hereby 
defined as: 
 
(a) "1951 Refugee Convention" refers to the 1951 United Nations Convention 
relating to the Status of Refugees;  


3 
 
 
(b) "1967 Protocol" refers to the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of 
Refugees; 
 
(c) "1954 Statelessness Convention" refers to the 1954 United Nations 
Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons;  
 
(d) “1961 Statelessness Convention” refers to the 1961 Convention on the 
Reduction of Statelessness; 
 
(e) “Alternatives to detention” refer to procedures allowing POC to reside in 
the community, subject to a number of conditions or restrictions on their 
freedom of movement where necessary and human rights standards as 
provided under national and international law;  
 
(f) "Applicant" refers to a person who has submitted the Application, including 
their accompanying and applying Family Members, or in the case of a child 
or incapacitated person, the person on whose behalf an Application was 
submitted; 
 
(g) "Application" refers to the formal written claim to refugee or stateless status, 
as the case may be, and initiates the status determination procedure; 
 
(h) “Asylum seeker” refers to a person who is seeking international protection 
and whose claim has not been finally decided upon; 
 


4 
(i) "Bureau" refers to the Bureau of Immigration;
(j) “Child” refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or a person who
is 18 or over 18 years of age but who is unable to fully take care of, or protect
herself or himself or themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation,
persecution, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or
condition;
(k) "Commissioner" refers to the Commissioner of the Bureau;
(l) “Country of Origin” refers to (i) the country to which an Asylum Seeker is
a national or citizen; (ii) to the country of the Asylum Seeker’s former habitual
residence, if not having a nationality; or (iii) to the country to which a stateless
status Applicant is a habitual resident;
(m)
"DFA" refers to the Department of Foreign Affairs;
(n) “Durable solutions” refer to the satisfactory and permanent resolution of
refugee or stateless status ensuring national protection for their civil, cultural,
economic, political and social rights. For refugees, a durable solution requires
(re-) establishment of a permanent legal status and generally involves
voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement. For stateless persons,
the only durable solution is the acquisition/confirmation of nationality;
(o) "Family Members" refer to the spouse and children below 18 years of age
who accompany the Applicant. The term also includes any person who is


5 
 
dependent socially, economically or emotionally upon the Applicant; / to the 
legal spouse and/or child of the Applicant;  
 
(p) “Non-refoulement” is a principle of customary international law which 
provides that no State shall expel or return (“refouler”) a refugee in any 
manner whatsoever, to the frontiers of territories where his or her or their life 
or freedom would be threatened on account of his or her or their religion, 
nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion;  
  
(q) “Protection” refers to all activities aimed at ensuring full respect for the rights 
of the individual in accordance with the letter and spirit of the relevant bodies 
of law, such as human rights law, humanitarian law, and refugee and 
statelessness law;  
 
(r) "Protection Officer" refers to an officer of the Refugees and Stateless 
Persons Protection Office who evaluates the claims of the Applicant to 
refugee and stateless status and their eligibility for protection;  
 
(s) “Persons of Concern or POC” collectively refers to refugees, asylum 
seekers, stateless applicants, stateless persons and populations at risk of 
statelessness; 
 
(t) “PSA” refers to the Philippine Statistics Authority;  
 
(u) “Recognized Refugee or Stateless Person” refers to an Applicant who has 
been determined as a refugee or stateless person by the RSPPO;  


6 
 
 
(v) "Refugee" refers to a person, who, owing to well-founded fear of being 
persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a 
particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her 
or their nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail 
himself or herself or themselves of the protection of that country; or who, not 
having a nationality and being outside the country of his or her or their former 
habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to 
it; 
 
(w) 
"RSPPO" refers to the Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection 
Office; 
 
(x) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Justice;  
 
(y) "Stateless Person" refers to a person who is not considered a national by any 
State under the operation of its law; and 
 
(z) "UNHCR" refers to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 
 
SEC. 4. Basic Principle – This Act shall be governed by the following principles: 
 
(a) Non-discriminatory application of the refugee and stateless status 
determination procedure, taking into consideration, among others, their age, 
gender, disability, and diversity; 
 


7 
 
(b) Non-deprivation of refugee or stateless status and non-discrimination in the 
application of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 
1954 Statelessness Convention on account of race, religion, political opinion, 
or country of origin;  
 
(c) Preservation and promotion of family unity;  
 
(d) Best interest of the child as the primary consideration in all actions concerning 
children, including those who are unaccompanied and separated;  
 
(e) Non-detention on account of being stateless or a refugee;  
 
(f) The principle of non-refoulement, pursuant to customary international law, 
which may also apply to other individuals whose lives or freedom may be 
threatened;  
 
(g) Non-punishment of an applicant for refugee status and/or their dependents on 
account of their illegal entry or presence in the country, provided they present 
themselves to the authorities and/or shows good cause for his or her or their 
illegal entry or presence;  
 
(h) Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall enjoy the same treatment 
accorded to aliens generally, unless otherwise provided in this Act; and 
 
(i) After a period of three (3) years’ residence, all recognized refugees and 
stateless persons shall enjoy exemption from reciprocity required by law. 


8 
 
 
 
Chapter 2 
REFUGEES AND STATELESS PERSONS 
PROTECTION OFFICE 
 
SEC. 5. Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Office. - There is hereby created 
the Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Office (RSPPO) as an attached agency 
of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The RSPPO shall be independent and 
autonomous, but attached to the DOJ for purposes of policy and program 
coordination. 
 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. – The RSPPO shall have the following functions: 
 
(a) Facilitate identification, registration, status determination, and protection of 
refugees and stateless persons under the terms of this Act, guided by the 1951 
Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 1954 and 1961 
Statelessness Conventions, respectively; 
 
(b) Establish and implement a fair, efficient, transparent, adaptable and non-
adversarial procedure to facilitate identification, treatment, and protection of 
refugees and stateless persons, including applicants, consistent with this Act, 
international law, and humanitarian tradition of the Republic of the 
Philippines; Provided, that alternatives to detention throughout the procedure 
shall be promoted; 
 


9 
 
(c) Issue visas and other relevant documentation to refugees, asylum seekers, 
stateless applicants, and stateless persons in accordance with laws, rules and 
regulations. The requirements and validity of such documentation shall be 
guided by the implementing rules and regulations and will take into 
consideration the specific circumstances and vulnerabilities of refugees, 
asylum seekers, stateless applicants, and stateless persons; 
 
(d) Formulate and coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring, and 
evaluation of government policies, plans, and programs, including integration 
in development, sectoral and emergency response and recovery frameworks, 
towards the protection and pursuit of durable solutions for and with POC;  
 
(e) Coordinate with relevant agencies in ensuring access to services, including 
provision of shelter to refugees, asylum seekers, stateless applicants, and 
stateless persons in coordination with the Department of Human Settlements 
and Urban Development and local government units (LGUs); 
 
(f) Assist and coordinate with government agencies, civil society organizations, 
the UNHCR and other agencies of the United Nations, whenever necessary, 
to consider and facilitate means and measures aimed at finding durable 
solutions for refugees and stateless persons and ensuring their protection and 
access to appropriate assistance and services; and 
 
(g) To perform such acts as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions 
of this Act and other laws, rules, and regulations relating to refugees and 
stateless persons. 


10 
 
 
SEC. 7. Composition. – The RSPPO shall be headed by an Executive Director who 
shall be assisted by the following: 
 
(a) Three (3) Deputy Directors on refugee protection, addressing statelessness 
and on administrative and financial matters; 
 
(b) Five (5) Senior Protection Officers; 
 
(c) Ten (10) Associate Protection Officers; and 
 
(d) Such a number of personnel, as may be necessary, to enable the RSPPO to 
effectively and efficiently execute its mandate. 
 
The Executive Director and Deputy Directors shall be appointed by the President. 
All other officials and personnel of the RSPPO shall be appointed by the Executive 
Director. 
 
SEC. 8. Minimum Requirements for Qualification - No person shall be appointed 
as Executive Director unless he or she or they are engaged in the practice of law for 
at least ten (10) years, with at least eight (8) years’ experience or exposure in the 
field of refugee and statelessness matters and/or human rights. The Executive 
Director shall have the same qualifications for appointment, rank, category, salary 
grade, and salaries benefits, allowances and other emoluments as those of an 
Undersecretary.  
 


11 
 
No person shall be appointed as Deputy Director unless he or she or they have 
at least six (6) years’ experience or exposure in the field of refugee and statelessness 
matters and/or human rights; Provided, that at least two (2) Deputy Directors must 
be members of the Philippine Bar with at least six (6) years of experience. They shall 
have the same qualifications for appointment, rank, category, salary grade and 
salaries, benefits, allowances, and other emoluments as those of an Assistant 
Secretary. 
 
The Senior Protection Officers shall have a Salary Grade of 28 and must have 
at least four (4) years’ experience or exposure in the field of refugee and statelessness 
matters and/or human rights. 
 
The Associate Protection Officers shall have a Salary Grade of 27 and must 
have at least two (2) years’ experience or exposure in the field of refugee and 
statelessness matters and/or human rights; Provided, that at least eight (8) Protection 
Officers are members of the Philippine Bar. 
 
Personnel of the RSPPO shall have a Salary Grade between 15 to 19 whose 
responsibilities and qualifications shall be determined by the Executive Director in 
accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
The Executive Director shall determine the functions and responsibilities of 
the Protection Officers subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. 
 
Chapter 3 
REFUGEE AND STATELESS STATUS DETERMINATION 


12 
 
PROCEDURE 
 
 
SEC. 9. Refugee and Stateless Status Determination Procedure. – The RSPPO 
shall establish a free, fair, speedy, and non-adversarial Refugee and Stateless Status 
Determination (RSSD) procedure. The procedure may be classified as regular or 
accelerated depending on the circumstances of the Applicant. 
 
SEC. 10. Application. – In general, the Application may be filed directly with the 
RSPPO or in the central office or any field office of the Bureau.  
 
For applications filed in ports of entry (airports or seaports), the Application 
is initiated by a declaration of the arriving alien before the immigration officer or 
port personnel of their intention to seek asylum in the Philippines.  
 
In cases where the Applicant detained in any government detention facility, 
the Applicant or their counsel may file an Application for an accelerated procedure 
with the Warden or the Head of the government detention facility where the 
Applicant is detained. 
 
In case the Application is filed with the Bureau, ports of entry, or government 
detention facility, the Commissioner or the head of the field office of the Bureau, the 
Warden or the Head of the government detention facility, where applicable and as 
the case may be, shall forward the Application to the RSPPO together with relevant 
documentation and evidence to support the claim to refugee or stateless status, where 
available.  


13 
 
 
In cases where it is not feasible for the Applicant to personally file their 
Application, intention to apply for recognition as a refugee or stateless person may 
be signified through other means as established under the implementing rules and 
regulations. 
 
At any time prior to the rendering of the decision, the Applicant may submit 
additional documents, statements and pleadings to supplement the Application. 
 
SEC. 11. Suspensive Effect of the Application. - Any proceeding for the deportation 
or exclusion of the Applicant and/or their Family Members shall be suspended upon 
filing of the Application until a final determination of their status has been reached, 
regardless of the stage of the proceedings.  
 
To uphold safe, humane and dignified treatment for applicants as part of the 
fundamental right to seek international protection and to strengthen vital procedural 
rights, alternatives to detention (ATD), to the extent possible, shall be considered as 
part of the RSSD procedure. Necessity, reasonableness and proportionality of 
detention shall be assessed.  
 
The Applicant, together with their Family Members as may be relevant, who 
may be detained for an immigration-related violation, may be released from custody 
upon the order of the Executive Director, or their duly authorized representative 
upon the recommendation of the Executive Director, subject to the conditions that 
the former may impose.  
 


14 
 
The Executive Director, in the exercise of the power to release an Applicant 
and/or their Family Members from detention, may take into consideration their 
special needs and/or circumstances, such as if they are victim-survivors of trauma or 
torture, victim-survivors or potential victims of trafficking, children, women, 
persons with disability, and/or elderly. 
 
The Commissioner shall implement the order of release, informing the 
RSPPO of the action thereon. 
 
SEC. 12. Priority of Refugee Status Determination. – Where in the Application for 
recognition as a stateless person or in the processing thereof, a refugee claim appears 
to exist, the stateless status determination shall, with the consent of the Applicant, 
be suspended and the Application shall be considered first for refugee status 
determination. If the claim to refugee status is denied with finality, the stateless 
status determination shall recommence automatically. 
 
SEC. 13. Burden of Proof. - The burden of proof in a claim to refugee or stateless 
status, in principle, rests on the Applicant. However, the duty to ascertain and 
evaluate all the relevant facts is a shared and collaborative burden between the 
Applicant and the Protection Officer.  
 
The Applicant has the obligation to provide accurate, full, and credible 
account or proof in support of their claim and submit all relevant evidence that are 
reasonably available. The Protection Officer shares the duty to ascertain and evaluate 
all relevant facts of the case.  
 


15 
 
For this purpose, the Executive Director, Deputy Directors, and Protection 
Officers are authorized to administer oaths. 
 
SEC. 14. Rights of an Applicant. - From the time of the filing of the Application, 
until the finality of the decision on the Application, the Applicant shall have the 
following rights:     
 
a. To legal counsel, including legal representation and counselling from the 
Public Attorney’s Office subject to its rules and regulations;  
 
b. To be informed and have access to the procedure and to due process;  
 
c. To the extent possible, to have the Applicant’s interview conducted in a 
private, secure, and appropriate location, and in a confidential manner;  
 
d. To participate in the procedure in a language and manner they understand and 
to have access to the services of an interpreter, if necessary;  
 
e. To have access to the UNHCR;  
 
f. To have protection from any forcible return in any manner whatsoever, to a 
country where he or she or they may face persecution on account of his or her 
or their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or 
political opinion; and 
 


16 
 
g. To access protection services as provided under existing laws, rules and 
regulations. 
 
Nothing herein shall be construed in a manner that will diminish the enjoyment 
of such rights Applicants who shall have the right to avail of greater rights provided 
under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 1954 and 1961 
Statelessness Conventions, international human rights treaties of which the 
Philippines is a State Party to and existing laws, rules, and regulations, including 
those granted under this Act.  
 
SEC. 15. Group-based procedures. - The RSPPO may activate procedures for 
group-based recognition for large-scale situations characterized by the arrival across 
an international border of persons in need of international protection in such numbers 
and at such rate as to render individual determination of their claims impracticable. 
 
SEC. 16. Security Clearance. - Prior to the issuance of a decision recognizing the 
refugee or stateless status by the RSPPO, it will endorse the relevant personal 
information of the Applicant to the appropriate security agency of the government 
for vetting of any derogatory information which may affect his or her or their 
application.  
 
In the vetting of applications for refugee or stateless status, the principles 
under relevant international human rights, refugee, and statelessness law shall be 
considered.  
 


17 
 
Verification and regular security vetting shall also apply and form part of the 
process for group-based procedures. 
 
Chapter 4 
RENDERING, FINALITY AND EFFECTS OF THE DECISION AND 
MODES OF APPEAL 
 
SEC. 17. Decision. - A written decision on the Application shall be rendered by the 
RSPPO within a prescribed period. A decision denying recognition of the Applicant 
may be appealed pursuant to Sections 19 and 20, Chapter 4 of this Act and in 
accordance with existing rules and regulations.  
 
SEC. 18. Request for Reconsideration. - In case the Application is denied, the 
Applicant or their counsel may file a letter-request or motion for reconsideration 
from the decision denying the Application to the RSPPO or appropriate authority 
within a prescribed period upon any meritorious circumstances as may be identified 
under the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.  
 
SEC. 19. Administrative Appeal to the Office of the President. - A decision or 
resolution of the RSPPO denying an Application or a letter-request or motion for 
reconsideration may be appealed to the Office of the President (OP) under the 
principle of exhaustion of administrative remedies and in accordance with the rules 
and regulations governing appeals on RSSD cases to the OP. 
 


18 
 
SEC. 20. Judicial Appeal. - In line with the Rules of Court, the Applicant may seek 
judicial review of the decision or resolution on the request or motion for 
reconsideration of the decision of the OP.  
 
SEC. 21. Finality of the Decision. - The decision is deemed final where the 
Applicant did not request for reconsideration of the decision or seek administrative 
or judicial appeal pursuant to Sections 19 and 20, Chapter 4 of this Act. 
 
SEC. 22. Effects of Recognition. - The recognition of the Applicant as a refugee or 
stateless person and the benefits that may be derived thereof, shall also inure, as 
appropriate, to their Family Members who are present in the Philippines.  
 
Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall enjoy and exercise rights and 
privileges accorded by the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 
1954 Statelessness Convention, international human rights treaties of which the 
Philippines is a State Party to and subject to existing laws, rules and regulations 
including those under Section 11, Chapter 3 of this Act.  
 
Nothing herein shall be construed in a manner that will diminish the 
enjoyment of such rights. Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall have the 
right to avail of greater rights provided under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 
1967 Protocol and the 1954 Statelessness Convention, international human rights 
treaties of which the Philippines is a State Party to subject to existing laws, rules and 
regulations including those granted under this Act.  
 
Chapter 5 


19 
 
EXCLUSION 
 
SEC. 24. Persons Excluded from the 1951 Refugee and 1954 Statelessness 
Conventions. - The 1951 Refugee and 1954 Statelessness Conventions does not 
apply to persons:  
 
a. Who are at present receiving from organs or agencies of the United Nations 
other than the UNHCR protection or assistance so long as they are 
receiving such protection or assistance.  
 
When such protection or assistance has ceased for any reason, without 
the position of such persons being definitively settled in accordance with 
the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United 
Nations, these persons shall ipso facto be entitled to the benefits of this 
Convention; 
 
b. Who are recognized by the competent authorities of the country in which 
they have taken residence as having the rights and obligations which are 
attached to the possession of the nationality of that country; or 
 
c. If there are serious reasons for considering that the person:  
 
1. Has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime 
against humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn 
up to make provisions in respect of such crimes;  
 


20 
 
2. Has committed a serious non-political crime outside the Philippines 
prior to their admission to the Philippines; or 
 
3. Has been found guilty of acts, contrary to the purposes and 
principles of the United Nations. 
 
 
Chapter 6 
CANCELLATION, REVOCATION, AND CESSATION OF 
REFUGEE OR STATELESS STATUS 
 
SEC. 25. Cancellation of Refugee or Stateless Status. - The refugee or stateless 
status shall be cancelled if the recognition was granted erroneously as a result of:  
 
a. Intentional misrepresentation or concealment by the Applicant or a third party 
of facts that were material to the determination of the claim;  
 
b. New evidence shows that the Applicant ought not to have been recognized in 
the first place;  
 
c. Recognition was granted on the basis of a material mistake of fact or law; and 
 
d. Misconduct of the Applicant (such as threats or bribery) being the motivating 
reason for the recognition of refugee or stateless status.  
 


21 
 
SEC. 26. Revocation of Refugee Status. - The refugee status shall be revoked if, 
subsequent to recognition, the refugee engages in conduct that would bring him or 
her or them within the exclusion grounds under Sections 24(c)(1) and 24(c)(3), 
Chapter 6 of this Act. 
 
SEC. 27. Revocation of Stateless Status. - The stateless status shall be revoked if 
there are serious reasons to believe that, after recognition, the stateless person 
engages in conduct that would bring him or her or them within the exclusion grounds 
under Chapter 6 of this Act.  
 
SEC. 28. Cessation of Refugee Status. - The refugee status shall cease if a Refugee:  
 
a. Voluntarily re-availed of the protection of the country of their nationality; 
  
b. Voluntarily re-acquired their lost nationality;  
 
c. Voluntarily acquired a new nationality and enjoys the protection of the 
country of their nationality;  
 
d. Voluntarily re-established themselves in the country he or she or they left, 
or outside which he or she or they remained owing to fear of persecution;  
 
e. Enjoys the protection from the country of his or her or their nationality, 
because the reasons in connection with which he or she or they were 
granted refugee status have ceased to exist; Provided, that this paragraph 
shall not apply to a refugee who is able to invoke compelling reasons 


22 
 
arising out of previous persecution for refusing to avail themselves of the 
protection of the country of his or her or their nationality; or 
 
f. Not having a nationality, returned to their country of habitual residence 
due to changed circumstance; provided, that this paragraph shall not apply 
to a refugee who is able to invoke compelling reasons arising out of 
previous persecution for refusing to avail themselves of the protection of 
the country of their former habitual residence. 
 
SEC. 29. Cessation of Stateless Status. - The stateless status shall cease when a 
stateless person acquires a nationality. 
 
SEC. 30. Application for Cancellation, Revocation or Cessation. - A refugee or 
stateless person may apply, personally or by electronic means, with the RSPPO for 
the cancellation, revocation or cessation of their own refugee or stateless status, 
providing justification and necessary documents, if any, in support of the 
application.  
 
SEC. 31. Motu proprio re-examination or re-assessment of refugee or stateless 
status. - The RSPPO may review and assess, motu proprio, the status of a refugee 
or stateless person under circumstances that may have come to its attention, 
including information from any interested person, that justifies a re-examination or 
re-assessment for the cancellation, revocation, or cessation of such status.  
 
SEC. 32. Decision in cases of Cancellation, Revocation or Cessation. - The refugee 
or stateless status of a person shall not be cancelled, revoked, or ceased unless 


23 
 
pursuant to a decision rendered by the RSPPO, and after observance of due process 
of law. 
 
SEC. 33. Request for Reconsideration and Appeal. - A refugee or stateless person 
or their counsel may seek reconsideration of the decision through the filing of a 
letter-request for reconsideration or motion for reconsideration within a prescribed 
period.  
 
The refugee or stateless person may appeal to the OP or the courts pursuant to 
Sections 19 or 20, Chapter 4 of this Act within the period prescribed under existing 
rules and regulations.  
 
SEC. 34. Effects of Finality of Decision Denying Recognition. - The RSPPO shall 
inform the Bureau of the finality of the denial of Application. Said denial converts 
the Applicant's asylum or stateless case into an immigration matter. The Applicant 
shall be afforded sufficient time to leave the country unless they hold another 
immigration status or the Commissioner has authorized the Applicant’s continued 
stay. Any immigration proceeding that has been suspended pursuant to Section 11, 
Chapter 3 of this Act may be reactivated. 
 
 
Chapter 7 
REMOVAL 
 
SEC. 35. Removal of a Refugee or a Stateless Person. – Subject to due process and 
upholding the principle of non-refoulement pursuant to Section 4(f), Chapter 1 and 


24 
 
Section 11, Chapter 3, a refugee or stateless person may be removed from Philippine 
territory:  
 
a. On grounds of national security or public order; or 
 
b. Where he or she or they have been convicted with finality of a crime 
punishable by more than six (6) years and is considered a danger to the 
community. 
 
 
Chapter 8 
RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS, AND TREATMENT 
OF POC 
 
SEC. 36. General Obligations. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons and 
other POC shall comply with Philippine laws and regulations as well as with 
measures taken for the maintenance of public order.  
 
SEC. 37. Right to Freedom of Religion. – Recognized refugees and stateless 
persons and other POC shall enjoy the right to freedom of religion and the free 
exercise thereof in the same manner as Filipino citizens.  
 
SEC. 38. Right to Identity and Travel Documents. - Recognized refugees and 
stateless persons and other POC shall be issued identity papers and travel documents 
for the purpose of travelling outside their territory unless compelling reasons of 
ensuring protection of the refugee, stateless persons and other POC, national security 


25 
 
or public order otherwise require. They shall also be given consideration in the 
issuance of travel documents when unable to obtain travel documents from their 
country of lawful residence.  
 
SEC. 39. Refugee and Stateless Seafarers. – Recognized refugees and stateless 
persons regularly traveling as crew members on board Philippine-registered vessels 
shall be given access to Refugee and Stateless Determination Procedures.  
 
SEC. 40. Movable Property. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall have 
the right to acquire movable property and other rights pertaining thereto, and to 
leases and other contracts relating to movable property, in the same manner as 
foreign nationals generally.  
 
SEC. 41. Intellectual Property. -  Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall 
have the same right as Filipino citizens with respect to his or her or their intellectual 
property, such as inventions, designs or models, trademarks, trade names, and of 
rights in literary, artistic, and scientific works.  
 
SEC. 42. Right to Association. – As regards non-political and non-profit making 
associations and trade unions, recognized refugees and stateless persons shall be 
accorded the same treatment as foreign nationals.  
 
SEC. 43. Access to Courts and Legal Assistance. – Recognized refugees and 
stateless persons and other POC shall have the same rights as Filipino citizens in 
matters pertaining to access to justice, including access to courts, legal assistance, 
counselling, and representation through the Public Attorney’s Office and other pro 


26 
 
bono legal aid services by other lawyers, and indigency standards that would entitle 
them to exemption from payment of filing, docket, and other similar fees subject to 
laws, rules, and regulations.  
 
SEC. 45. Public Relief. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall be 
accorded the same right as Filipino citizens with public relief and assistance, 
including but not limited to, inclusion in social welfare, health, subsistence, and 
emergency response and recovery programs. 
 
SEC. 46. Gainful Decent Employment. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons 
shall be exempt from securing an alien employment permit (AEP) as a requirement 
for engaging in wage-earning and self-employment activities; Provided, however, 
that a provisional or special work permit may be issued by the Bureau while their 
application for refugee or stateless status determination is pending resolution; 
 
For the exercise of professions, the citizenship requirement for the taking of 
national board examinations for practice of professions regulated by the Professional 
Regulation Commission is waived for recognized refugees and stateless persons 
upon compliance with appropriate requirements.  
 
Recognized refugees and stateless persons are likewise exempted from 
securing authorization from the Secretary of Justice in participating in an industry 
as provided in Commonwealth Act No. 108, otherwise known as the Anti-Dummy 
Law, as amended. 
 


27 
 
SEC. 47. Housing. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall have the same 
rights to housing as foreign nationals generally in the same circumstances.  
 
SEC. 48. Public Education and Recognition of Prior Learning. – Recognized 
refugees and stateless persons shall have the same right to basic and secondary 
education as a Filipino citizen. They shall be accorded the same rights as foreign 
nationals with respect to secondary and tertiary education, in particular, as regards 
access to studies, the recognition of foreign school certificates, diplomas and 
degrees, the remission of fees and charges, and the award of scholarships.  
 
SEC. 49. Labor Legislation and Social Security. – Recognized refugees and 
stateless persons shall be accorded the same treatment as Filipino nationals with 
respect to labor standards and social security under the Labor Code and other 
applicable Philippine social security legislations, subject to conditions prescribed 
therein. 
 
The right to compensation for the death of a refugee or a stateless person 
resulting from employment injury or from occupational disease shall not be affected 
notwithstanding the residence of the beneficiary is outside the Philippine territory.   
 
SEC. 50. Freedom of Movement. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons have 
the right to choose their place of residence and to move freely within Philippine 
borders, subject to regulations applicable to foreign nationals generally.  
 
SEC. 51. Fiscal Charges. – Recognized refugees and stateless persons shall be 
entitled to the same treatment as Filipino citizens in terms of duties, charges or taxes, 


28 
 
except fees or charges concerning issuance of administrative documents, identity 
papers, issued to foreign nationals.   
 
SEC. 52. Administrative Assistance. – The RSPPO, DFA, Bureau, Philippine 
Statistics Authority, and other relevant agencies shall assist refugees or stateless 
persons in exercising a right which would normally require the action of authorities 
of a foreign country to whom he or she or they cannot have recourse. Assistance can 
be in the form of: 
 
1. Delivery or causing the delivery to refugees or stateless persons of such 
documents or certifications as would normally be delivered to foreign 
nationals by or through their national authorities; 
 
2. In lieu of official instruments and in the absence of proof to the contrary, 
giving credence to such delivered documents or certifications; or 
 
3. Subject to such exceptional treatment as may be granted to indigent persons, 
fees may be charged for the services mentioned herein, but such fees shall be 
moderate and commensurate with those charged to nationals for similar 
services.  
 
Under no circumstance shall the Applicant be asked to approach authorities in 
his or her or their country of origin to obtain documents, or take other steps that 
would place his or her or their remaining family members or associates in the country 
of origin at risk.  
 


29 
 
SEC. 53. Naturalization. – The State shall, as far as practicable, facilitate the 
integration and naturalization of recognized refugees and stateless persons. It shall 
endeavor to expedite both administrative and judicial naturalization proceedings and 
reduce as far as possible the charges and costs of such proceedings.  
 
Chapter 7 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 54. Monitoring of Human Rights Situation of POC. - The Commission on 
Human Rights (CHR) shall monitor the human rights situation of POC in exercise 
of its Constitutional mandate. Within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in 
Muslim Mindanao, the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) shall 
monitor the human rights of POC pursuant to laws, rules, and regulations. The CHR 
and BHRC shall work together to uphold the rights of POC.  
 
SEC. 55. Data Protection. - The information provided by an Applicant under this 
Act and in other information management activities shall be confidential. The 
information collected may be used to make a determination of the veracity of the 
factual statements in the Application and other legitimate purposes in line with the 
provision of protection and durable solutions for and with persons of concern (POC). 
The RSPPO shall ensure that the processing of personal information is compliant 
with the requirements of Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data 
Privacy Act of 2012 and other laws, rules, and regulations allowing disclosure of 
information to the specific agencies and adherence to the principles of transparency, 
legitimate purpose and proportionality.  
 


30 
 
SEC. 56. Data Sharing with Other Agencies. - Where the effective cooperation 
between RSPPO and its partners, including other government agencies and non-
government organizations requires the exchange of personal data of refugees, 
asylum seekers and Applicants, such exchange shall be governed by the provisions 
of the Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 
and the respective Data Sharing Agreements, where the latter exists. The sharing of 
information with UNHCR is governed by the related provisions in the Conventions 
and other relevant international instruments.  
 
SEC. 57. Inter-agency mechanisms. - The established inter-agency bodies such as 
the Inter-Agency Committee on the Protection of Refugees, Stateless Persons and 
Asylum Seekers, the inter-agency technical working groups of the National Action 
Plan to End Statelessness, and Inter-Agency Committee on the Complementary 
Pathways Programme along with other bodies which may be established shall be 
retained and continue to function as provided under laws, rules, regulations and 
agreements. 
 
SEC. 58. Local Integration. - Local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to 
support and integrate POC within their communities, conduct information and 
awareness campaigns, and make available the necessary programs and services to 
facilitate such integration in local development frameworks, including development 
programming and emergency response and recovery frameworks. 
 
SEC. 59. Engagement with Non-government Entities. - The RSPPO may engage 
with civil society organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector, 
the academe, communities of POC, faith-based organizations and relevant people’s 


31 
 
organizations, and UN agencies for the purpose of ensuring collaborative 
implementation of this Act and widen the support network available to refugees, 
stateless persons and Applicants. 
 
SEC. 60. Applicants who may also be Victims - Survivors of Trafficking. - The 
principles governing treatment of Applicants who may also be victims - survivors of 
trafficking will be considered to ensure that protection is available for both 
circumstances under existing laws, rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 61.  Complementary Protection Mechanism. – Notwithstanding the primacy 
of the Refugee and Stateless Status Determination Procedure under this Act, a fair, 
just, and speedy complementary protection mechanism shall be established to ensure 
the protection of individuals who are not POC and may be in danger of being 
subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment 
in another State pursuant to Section 17 of Republic Act 9745, otherwise known as 
the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, 
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The procedure for the 
complementary protection mechanism shall be guided by the implementing rules 
and regulations of this Act. 
 
SEC. 62. Transition Period. – Except for the designated personnel of the RSPPU of 
the Department of Justice, the functions, duties, and transactions of the RSPPU shall 
be transferred to the RSPPO within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act 
during which the RSPPU shall continue to function in holdover capacities until 
appointments of RSPPO personnel are issued.  
 


32 
 
Accordingly, all applications for recognition of refugees and stateless persons 
and cases pending with the RSPPU upon the effectivity of this Act, and filed during 
the transition period shall continue to be acted upon by the RSPPU. 
 
SEC. 63. Congressional Oversight Committee. – There shall be created a 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the Protection of Refugees, Asylum 
Seekers, Stateless Persons, Stateless Applicants and Populations at Risk of 
Statelessness to monitor and oversee the implementation of the provisions of this 
Act. 
 
The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members from the Senate and 
six (6) members from the House of Representatives with the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Human Rights of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Justice and Human Rights of the Senate as Co-chairpersons. The other members 
from each Chamber are to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives, respectively. The minority shall be entitled to pro rata 
representation but shall have at least two (2) representatives from each Chamber. 
 
SEC. 64. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following the 
enactment hereof law and every year thereafter. 
 
SEC. 65. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days 
after the effectivity of this Act, the DOJ in consultation with the Bureau, Department 
of Social Welfare and Development, DFA, Department of Education, Department of 
Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Human Settlements 


33 
 
and Urban Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the 
Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation, PSA, Commission 
on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Civil 
Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Manila International Airport Authority, 
National Housing Authority, Bureau of Immigration, Public Attorney’s Office, 
Professional Regulation Commission, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, 
Philippine Health Insurance Cooperation, Commission on Human Rights together 
with civil society organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector, 
the academe, POC, faith-based organizations and relevant people’s organizations, 
and UN agencies shall prepare and issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations 
(IRR). 
 
The IRR shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication 
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
SEC. 66. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 67. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any portion or provision of this 
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, all other parts or provisions not affected 
shall thereby continue to remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 68. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 


34 
 
Approved,