Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo._1603

Introduced by Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Alfredo A. Garbin Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine National Police Academy was created through Presidential Decree
1184 with the aim of professionalizing the members of the then Integrated National
Police. Consequently, recognizing its critical role in public safety administration,
Presidential Decree 1780, known as the Philippine National Police Academy Charter
1981, was enacted, declaring it the premier police educational institution, and
granting powers necessary to cary out its functions, under the Philippine
Constabulary — Integrated National Police (PC-INP). Following the abolishment
of PC-INP in 1991, the control and supervision of the PNPA was transferred to the
Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) pursuant to Republic Act Number 6975.
Subsequently, in 2019, the PNPA was transferred under the administrative control
and supervision of the Office of the Chief, PNP. Under the 1987 Constitution, the
Philippine National Police shall be national in scope and civilian in character.

For 40 years, the Philippine National Police Academy has been carrying out its
function to train and educate commissioned officers of Philippine National Police,
Bureau of Fire and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, with its motto, “To
Learn Today, To Lead Tomorrow", anchoring its existence and powers from its
Academic Charter — Presidential Decree 1780. Pursuing the aspirations and visions
of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., it is imperative to revisit the PNPA
Charter of 1981 to be responsive to the current challenges and demands of public
safety and social defense. It is high time to push for much-needed organizational
reform as well as the enhancement of its critical, training, education, infrastructure,
and logistical capability toward the modemization of the Academy, making it on par
with other police cadetries. With these functions, rights, and responsibilities of the
Academy as part of its commitment to the national government to produce competent
officers imbued with management readership qualities and skills in public safety,
social defense and internal security and with utmost respect to human rights, will be
clearly defined and explained that it will be sufficient in itself as basis for asserting


its right. Emphasizing the mandates of the 1987 Constitution lor the state to protect
and promote the right of the all citizens to quality education, maintenance of peace
and order, protection of life, liberty, property and, promotion of the general welfare
as essential for the enjoyment of the blessings of democracy, and shall give priority
to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, acceierate social progress and promote total human liberation and
development, this proposed bill seeks to strengthen the existing Academic Charter
of the PNPA, to fulfill its mandate to produce future ‘leaders of the public safety
bureau of the country. To ensure quality of training and education, PNPA shall have
the right to determine its policies, plans, and programs, academic and otherwise,
unbampered by external control, pressure, or influence, as part of its constitutionally
guaranteed right to academic freedom.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is eamestly
requested.



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1603

Introduced by Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Alfredo A. Garbin Jr.

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE CHARTER OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE ACADEMY AS PROVIDED UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1780 AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION I. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as "THE PNPA
CHARTER OF 2028",

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
the right of all citizens to quality education. The State shall further promote peace and order,
ensure public safety, and strengthen local government capability aimed toward the effective
delivery of the basic services to the citizenry in the establishment of the Philippine National
Police through Republic Act 6975, otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990.

‘Towards this end, it is the policy of the State to strengthen the Philippine National Police
Academy, as the premier institution for police education and the primary source for
commissioning of police lieutenants, jail and fire inspectors.

SECTION 3. Purpose of the Academy. — The PNPA is a Special Public Higher Educational
Institution (SPHEI) organized for the purpose of offering training and education in pursuance
of the mandates of the Tri-Bureau under

SECTION 4, Academic Freedom. — The Academy has the right and responsibility to exercise
academic freedom pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution,

SECTION 5. Commitment to Academic Excellence and Good Governance. — The Academy has
the responsibility to maintain and enhance its high training and academic standards in the
performance of its functions of instruction, research and extension, public safety, social defense,
and intemal security.


Towards this end, it shall exclusively determine its plans, policies, programs, curricula, and
Standards of teaching and training, and on the basis of such determination, the Academy
shall recommend its annual budget to the Department of the Interior and Local Government,

he Academy shall enjoy autonomy to build infrastructure, acquire necessary equipment,
reorganize administrative structures, provide for the necessary personnel complement. etablish
its own Corps of Professors and Instructors, provide adequate salaries, grants and benefits

human ‘resource and development programs and other incentives that will motivate ite

and effective administration and preservation of the high standards of the Academy. The
Academy shall likewise determine the yearly quota and the qualifications of cadets who wil
be admitted to the Cadetship Program, subject to the approval of the Secretary, DILG.

SECTION 6. Board of Trustees. — The governing board of PNPA shall be the Board of
Trustees, which shall be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local
Goverment and and co-chaired by the Chief, of the Philippine National Police, Buresw of
Jail Management and Penology, and Bureau of Fire Protection, with the following as members:

Dy) Chairman, CHE!

2) Vice Chair, NAPOLCOM;

3) Chairman, Committee on Higher and Technical Education, HOR

4) Chairman, Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture, Senate

Ss) Chairman, Committee on Public Order and Safety, HOR

oO) Chairman, Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Senate

7 Chairman, Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc.
(PNPAAAD),

SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of Trustees. — the Board shalll have the following powers and
duties, such as but not limited to:

a. Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies
Gn education, other pertinent provisions of the Constitution on education and public safety, and
the policies, standards, and functions of SPHEI;

b. Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student discipline
drawn by the Academic Council and Academic Freedom Council;

c. Deliberate the qualification standards for nominees as recommended by the
Secretary, DILG;

d. Fix and adjust the salaries of | Corps of Professors and Instructors, administrative
officials, and employees, subject to the provisions of the Revised Compensation and Position
Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of
service, and such other duties and conditions as it may deem proper; grant them, at its
discretion, leaves under such regulations as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law
to the contrary notwithstanding and remove them for cause in accordance with the requirements
of due process of law;

e. Receive and appropriate sums as may be provided by law for the support of the
PNPA, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the
purposes and functions of the PNPA;


f. Set the policies on admission and graduation of Cadets;

& Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with
appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private, local or foreign, and appoint
experts or specialists as consultants, part-time, visiting or exchange professors, scholars or
researcher, as the case may be;

h ‘Adopt moder and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge for the promotion
of greater access to education such as the use of information technology, dual training system,
open distance learning, and community laboratory;

i. Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and transparent
decision-making within the PNPA; and

i Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes and
functions of PNPA.

SECTION 8. PNPA Leadership. — The Academy shall be headed by a Director with the rank
of Police Lieutenant General, who shall be assisted by a Deputy Director with the rank of
Police Major General. The Academy shall have a Dean of Academics, Chief of Staff, and a
Commandant of Cadets, with the rank of Police Brigadier General.

‘The Digetr shell preferably be an alums ofthe PNEA's undergraduate degree program who has
meritoriously excelled in a chosen field of endeavor in an executive or managerial position in
public safety, may it be in the private or government sector. The person must possess a graduate
Gegree in any public safety field of specialization from a recognized institution.

The Director of PNPA, Dean of Academics, and Commandant of Cadets shall not be relieved
from their posts unless due to retirement, resignation, incapacity or dismissal from the service. This
ig to safeguard the exercise of academic freedom and ensure the independence of the Academy.
‘This likewise ensures the continuity of the plans, programs and policies of the Academy that are
geared towards excellence, dedication, and exemplary public service.

SECTION 9.Qualifications and Standards of PNPA Leadership - The Secretary of the Department
of the Interior and Local Government shall determine the qualifications and competencies of the
positions for Director, Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, Dear ‘of Academics, Commandant of Cadets
and Division Chiefs of the PNPA, necessary for the administration of the Academy.

‘The qualified nominees for the positions of Director, Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, Dean of

‘Academics, and Commandant of Cadets shall be designated by the Secretary, DILG based on

the selection process conducted by the Board of Trustees.

SECTION 10. Personnel. - Commissioned Officers of the PNP, BJMP, and BFP, once assigned

to the Academy, shall render continuous service for five (5) years, while Non-Commissioned
of the PNP, BFP, and BJMP shall not be reassigned for three (3) years.

ignment of uniformed personne! may only be allowed for justifiable reasons.

The Academy shall grant tenure to the academic staff and shall ensure the morale and
welfare of its workforce.

SECTION 11. Systems and Procedure. - The Director shall formulate systems and procedures
that will ensure the attainment of the goals and objectives aligned with the mandate of the

Academy.


SECTION 12. Academic Council. — The Council shall be composed of the Deputy
Director, Chief of Staff, Dean of Academics, Commandant of Cadets, a representative from
the Corps of Professors, a representative from Tactics Group, and Regimental Academic
Chancelior.

ECTION 13. Functions of the Academic Board. — The Board shall have the following
powers and duties:

a To define in general terms the thrusts of the Academy and such other policies
responsive to the demands of time, and to adopt guidelines to ensure their implementation,
subject to the approval of the Director.

b. To assist the Director in determining strategies, procedures and techniques for
effective and efficient implementation of the programs of the Academy.

c. To recommend to the Director, the appointment of Corps of Professors, to draw
up a position classification and compensation plan for its professors: Provided, that the
salaries, benefits, and honoraria of the faculty members shall be equivalent to those being
received by their counterparts in the private sector, and to remove any of its professors for cause
as provided under the rules as it may promulgate, after due investigation and proper hearing.

4. To recommend to the Director the approval of the list of applicants for
appointment as Cadets.

e. To recommend to the Director the Conferment of Graduates for the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPSJ).

f To promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to supervision and management
Of the cadets, to provide additional guidelines to address new situations not covered
by the existing rules and regulations.

2 ‘To deliberate on cases of Cadets who are recommended for tum- back or dismissal
from the Academy for deficiency in academics, non-academics, physical disability and other
circumstances not covered by the disciplinary machinery. Provided that, the resolution of the
Academic Board dismissing the cadet, or recommending for his/her ‘turn-back may be appealed
to the Director within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of the resolution. Provided further, that the
decision of the Director on the appealed resolution shall be final and executory.

b To deliberate on the readmission of turned-back cadets.

i To deliberate on the Annual Order of Merit from the Registrar, Special Courses
conducted by the Academic Department, awards to deserving cadets and the Final Order of Merit
submitted by the Awards Committee subject to the approval of the Director.

| To deliberate on the list of recommended cadets for promotion to the higher class.

k. To recommend to the Director, those personnel and members of the Corps of
Professors who are qualified for fellowship and scholarship.

1 Investigate, upon complaint or motu propio, violations of academic freedom, of
the institution, the professor’ instructor, of the cadets, or any act that will undermine the
academic freedom or training standards of the Academy.


SECTION 14. Corps of Professors and Instructors. — There shall be a Corps of Professors
and instructors in the Academy. The PNPA shall create, develop and implement a system of
faculty, placement, promotion and development in view of educating, training and preparing
the future police commissioned officers with the highest standard of personal integrity and
professional competence.

Civilian professors shall be granted with respective academic ranks pursuant to the guidelines
as may hereinafter promulgated by the Academic Council and approved by the Director.
Professors/Instructors who are members of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire
Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, may be appointed to the Corps of
Professors and Instructors upon their own application or upon the direction of the Director as
recommended by the Dean of Academics or Commandant of Cadets.

The terms and conditions of work of civilian professors shall be governed by the rules as may
hereinafter be promulgated by the Academic Council and approved by the Director.

SECTION 15. Cadet Admission. —- The PNPA shall conduct the admission program and
selection of cadets. The admission requirements and qualifications for admission to the
Cadetship Program shall be determined by the Academic Council subject to the approval of the
Director. The admission test of the PNPA Cadetship Program shall be stringent to maintain
high standards of academic excellence.

‘The PNPA may coordinate with the CHED, TESDA, DepEd, DND, and the DILG in the
use of the facilities and equipment of the said departments in carrying out the selection and
admission requirements of the PNPA.

SECTION 16. Cadetship Program. — PNPA Cadetship Program is @ four— year residential
scholarship course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS),
which degree shall be granted by the Academy through the Director upon the recommendation
of the Academic Council. The successful candidates in the Cadetship Program shall be
known as Cadets, and they shall be organized as the Cadet Corps of the Philippine National
Police Academy (CCPNPA).

Cadets shall be considered government scholars and not government employees. Provided that
their period of cadetship will be considered as part of their time-in-grade in government
service. Provided further, that they will be appointed in permanent status as Police Lieutenant,
Jail Inspector, or Fire Inspector, in the public safety service.

The Cadetship Program shall be selective admission and selective retention.

in addition to Cadetship Program, the Academy shall offer opportunities for short-term public
safety, homeland security, and other relevant training courses or proficiency certification
diplomas.

The Academy shall conduct a periodic assessment of its curriculum and syllabus and
shall likewise provide career development opportunities and continuing education to the
members of the Corps of Professors. The Academy shall conduct periodic evaluations of
teaching strategies and techniques of the professors! instructors, and shall prepare
recommendations for further improvement. The assessment and evaluation of learning shall be
outcome-based. The periodic examination shall be departmentalized and the Academy shall
ensure that the examinations to be administered is valid and reliable. There shall be a qualifying
examination to be administered before the end of the academic term, which examination shall
form part of the Overall Final trade, and shall be a pre-requisite for promotion to the next
academic level.


SECTION 17. Cadet Congressional Assignment. — To ensure the proportional distribution
throughout the country of the cadets availing the quality education and training inside the
PNPA, a congressional assignment of one (1) cadet per congressional seat and three (3) cadets
per member of the Senate is hereby established: Provided, that applicants must pass the basic
requirements for admission: Provided further, that for every province or highly urbanized city
where there is only one (1) congressional district, three (3) cadets shall be selected therefrom;
Provided finally, that only upon determination that there is no qualified applicant from a certain
congressional district shall another qualified applicant, irrespective of domicile, be considered
for the said slot.

SECTION 18. Tax We nptions. — All revenues and assets of the PNPA used for educational
Purposes or in support thereof shall be exempt from all taxes. Further, all grants, bequests,
endowments, donations, and contributions made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively
for educational purposes by the PNPA shall be exempt from the donor's tax and the same shail
be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income for purposes of computing the
taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Revenue Code
of 1999, as amended.

SECTION 19. Appropriation. To carry out the implementation of this Act, the academy
shall be provided with an initial appropriation to be drawn from the national government.
Thereafter, appropriation for the succeeding years shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act(GAA).

SECTION 20. Rules of Construction. — No statutory or other issuances shall diminish
the powers, rights, privileges and benefits accorded to the Academy under this Act or enjoyed
at present unless subsequent legislation expressly provides for their repeal, amendment or
modification. In case of doubt, interpretation of any of the provision of this Charter shall be
resolved in favor of the Academy and its institutional autonomy.

SECTION 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the PNPA shall, in consultation with the DILG, CHED, PNPAAAI,
representatives from PNP, BJMP, BFP and other relevant government agencies and
stakeholders, formulate the rules and regulations to implement the provision of this Act.

SECTION 22. Separability Chase. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and
effect.

SECTION 23. Repealing Clause. - AU laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 24. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in anewspaper of general circulation.

Approved,