Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO3298

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The state is cognizant that with the impending conflict between the key areas in
the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines must prepare for the increasing demands
to meet the needs of the national defense sector based on the following criteria:

a) increased defense visibility through dispersal of personnel from the
headquarters to the field offices and by the appointment and assignment
of non-uniformed personnel to positions which are purely administrative,
technical, clerical or menial in nature and other positions which are not
actually and directly related to national defense operations; and

b) efficient and optimized delivery of defense services to all communities
within the national territory and boundaries.

‘This House Bill Seeks to create a comprehensive National Defense Act to ensure
accountability and uprightness in national security exercises of discretion as
well as to achieve efficiency and effectiveness of its members and units in the
performance of their functions and to provide funds thereof.

Earnest approval of this bill is hereby requested.

L L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

18TH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3298

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL DEFENSE ACT, TO FOSTER THE
SUPPRESSION OF INSURGENCY AND OTHER SERIOUS
THREATS TO NATIONAL SECURITY, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. TITLE — This Act shall be known as the "National Defense
Act of 2019."

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is hereby declared the policy of
the State to establish a highly efficient and competent national defense force
which is national in scope and civilian in character administered and controlled
by the national defense department.

There is hereby created a comprehensive National Defense Act.

The Department of National Defense (DND) shall be a community and service
oriented agency responsible for the maintenance of peace and order, public
safety.


‘The DND shall be so organized to ensure accountability and uprightness
in police exercise of discretion as well as to achieve efficiency and effectiveness
of its members and units in the performance of their functions. Towards this
end,

The State shall hereby provide an additional authorize funding of Two
Billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) to evolve and implement a comprehensive
national program to the suppression of insurgency and other serious threats to
national security and to maintain the continuity of its mandate.

SECTION 3. APPROPRIATIONS — The amount of Two Billion pesos
(P2,000,000,000.00) necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be
included in the annual budget of the implementing agency in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) of the year following its enactment into law and every
year thereafter.

The state shall hereby authorize the Department of National Defense to re-
align its appropriations, in the current year of the date of the effectivity of this
Act to conform with its mandate and requirements.

SECTION 4.ROLE OF THE DND IN COUNTER-INSURGENCY
FUNCTIONS - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall
be relieved of the primary responsibility on matters involving the suppression of

insurgency and other serious threats to national security.

The DND shall, through information gathering and performance of its
functions, support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on matters involving
suppression of insurgency, except in cases where the President shall call on the
DND to support the AFP in combat operations.

In times of national emergency, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau
of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology


(BUMP) shall, upon the direction of the President, assist the armed forces in
meeting the national emergency.

SECTION 5. PERIODIC REPORTS - The DND shall submit periodic
reports on its findings and make recommendations on actions to be taken by
Congress and Senate and the appropriate department, and in order to carry out
the objectives and mandates of this Act.

SECTION 6. AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be
appointed by the President shall review the policies and programs in the DND
and shall make recommendations, based on its findings, to the President and to
both Houses of Congress.

SECTION 7. REPEALING CLAUSE. All laws, executive orders, issuances,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed

or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If, for any reason or reasons, any
portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the
remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and

effect.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,