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Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 3 49

INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) stands as an autonomous body
established in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, officially formed on May 5,
1987, through Executive Order No. 163, s. 1987. Its primary mission is to safeguard
and advance the human rights of individuals within the Philippines and Filipinos
residing overseas. Recognized as the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) under
international human rights law, the CHR assumes a crucial role in upholding civil,
political, economic, social, and cultural rights, while actively addressing various forms
of discrimination. It acts as a bridge, connecting the rights of individuals with the
State's obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill those rights, as outlined in the 1987
Constitution and in international human rights instruments.

Throughout its three and a half decades of existence, the CHR has encountered
both victories and hurdles, navigating legislative developments and judicial
interpretations of its Constitutional mandate.

The CHR faces limitations hindering it from fully aligning with the Paris
Principles or the “Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights
Institutions." However, these constraints shouldn't prevent Congress from
empowering the CHR with additional authorities to investigate violations falling within
its jurisdiction. There is a pressing need to fortify the CHR's mandates, powers, and
functions, enhancing its pivotal role in cultivating a human rights culture in the
country.

This proposed legislation aims to bolster the CHR by ensuring effective,
expanded structural, operational, and functional independence, meeting the


minimum requirements set by the Paris Principles. It guarantees full fiscal autonomy
to facilitate prompt, immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its duties. The bill
outlines the general powers and functions of the Commission, granting it full authority
to act on complaints or initiate proceedings independently in all instances of human
rights violations. Additionally, the bill empowers the CHR to issue injunctive reliefs
and legal measures.

What the country needs now is a CHR Charter that stands truly independent,
with complete fiscal autonomy. In today's climate, the Filipino people require a more
proactive CHR, one free from constraints in investigating and identifying cases of
human rights violations, extending beyond civil and political rights. This
representation aspires to have an CHR capable of addressing the challenge of
protecting and promoting the human rights of all citizens, especially those in
vulnerable, disadvantaged, and marginalized sectors of society.

This representation filed this same bill which was consolidated with other bills
and was passed by the Nineteenth Congress on third reading.

As such, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

REP. ZIAYR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG
15', District, Lanao Del Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House BillNo._ 349 _

INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CHR) AS
A NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION (NHRI) AND FOR OTHER:
PURPOSES

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

SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Commission on Human
Rights (CHR) Charter.”

SEC. 2. State Policy on Human Rights. - The State values the dignity of every
human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. It shall give highest
priority to the enactment of measures that respect, protect and fulfill the right of all
people to human dignity at all stages of human life.

SEC. 3. Definition of Human Rights. - Human rights are the supreme, universal,
inherent, and inalienable rights to life, dignity, and self-development of every person
regardless of race, sex and gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any
other status. These rights include those guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution,
domestic laws, and international human rights instruments such as, but not limited
to the international bill of rights, i.e. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant
on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights; and all other existing and future human
rights instruments to which the Philippines is a State Party.

SEC. 4. The Commission as an Independent Office. - The independence of the
Commission on Human Rights, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, shall
always be respected and upheld. The Commission shall enjoy full fiscal autonomy.
Appropriations for the Commission shall not be reduced and shall be automatically
and regularly released.


SEC. 5. The Commission as a National Human Rights Institution. - The
Commission is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of the Philippines in
accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris
Principles) and other United Nations (UN) Resolutions and Instruments pertaining to
the effective functioning of NHRIs. As such, the State and all its agents shall ensure
and respect the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles.

SEC. 6. The Commission En Banc as a Collegial Body. - The Commission en
banc, as a collegial body, is responsible for the promulgation of policies, decisions,
orders, and resolutions necessary for the efficient administration of the Commission
and for proper execution of its constitutional mandate. Every policy, decision, order,
or resolution of the Commission must bear the concurrence and signature of a
majority of the Members.

In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Commission shall sit and render its
decision en banc, unless otherwise provided in an internal resolution, adopted by
the Commission en banc. The Commission shall meet regularly. A majority of the
Members shall constitute a quorum.

SEC. 7. The Commission, Composition, and Qualifications. - The Commission
shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) Members who must be:
a.) natural-born citizens of the Philippines;

b.) at least thirty-five years of age at the time of their appointment;

c.) with proven probity, integrity, and competence in the field of human
rights work;

d.) must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving
moral turpitude, and

e.) must not have been candidates for any elective position in the national
elections immediately preceding their appointment.

A majority thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar, who have been engaged
in the practice of law for at least ten years. The composition must observe gender-
balanced and pluralist representation, which shall be in accordance with the Paris
Principles.

SEC. 8. Appointment and Term of Office of the Chairperson and Members of
the Commission. - The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall be
appointed by the President for a term of seven years without reappointment.

Of those first appointed under the enactment of this Charter, the Chairperson shall

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hold office for seven (7) years, two Members for six (6) years and the other two
Members for five (5) years. The term of the Chairperson and Members shall start on
the day immediately after the end of the previous one, regardless of the date of
appointment. In no case shall any Chairperson or Member be appointed,
reappointed, or designated in a temporary, part-time, or acting capacity.
Appointment to any vacancy occurring during the term shall be only for the unexpired
portion of the term of the predecessor.

Vacancies in the offices of the Chairperson and of the Commissioners shall be filled
within ninety (90) days from its occurrence. However, the incumbent Chair or
Member shall hold the position until such time appointment was made by President
for the same position

SEC. 9. Selection Process for the Chairperson and Members of the
Commission. - The sitting Chairperson and the Members of the Commission shall
act as the Selection Committee for the appointment of the new Chairperson and four
(4) Members of the Commission.

The Selection Committee shall convene immediately, as soon as vacancy exists or
when the term of the current Commission Members ends within six (6) months or
when an impending vacancy occurs. The Committee shall develop its own rules of
procedures for the selection of nominees for the position of Chair and
Commissioners, in accordance with requirements of an open, transparent and merit-
based selection process, as mandated by the Paris Principles. The conduct of
consultations with human rights organizations and other relevant stakeholders for
the selection of the new members of the Commission En Banc shall form part of the
rules and procedures.

SEC. 10. Prohibition and Disqualification. - The Chairperson and Members of
the Commission shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment.
Neither shall they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active
management or control of any business, which in any way may be affected by the
functions of their office, nor shall they be financially interested, directly or indirectly,
in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the Government and
its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or
controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.

They shall avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. They shall not be
allowed to appear or practice before the Commission within one year following the
completion of their term of office, resignation, or any other manner of separation
from office.

No spouse, common-law partner, or relative by consanguinity or affinity within the
fourth civil degree, or business or professional partner of the Chairperson or
Members, may transact business directly or indirectly with the Chairperson or its
Members, or appear as counsel or agent of a party in any matter pending before the
Commission.


These prohibition and disqualification shall apply during the tenure of the official
concerned and one year thereafter.

SEC. 11. Salary, Retirement, and Other Privileges of the Chairperson and
Members. - The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall receive the
same salary, retirement, privileges, and benefits as Court of Appeals Justices, and
their salaries shall not be decreased during their term of office.

Upon the death of a retired Chairperson or Member, the surviving legitimate spouse
shall be entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, all the retirement benefits that the
deceased retiree was receiving at the time of his or her death under the provisions
of applicable retirement laws. The surviving legitimate spouse shall continue to
receive such retirement benefits during his or her lifetime or until he or she
remarries.

SEC. 12. Structural Organization. - The Commission shall have the following
offices in the Central Office: Office of the Chairperson, Offices of the Commissioners,
Office of the Executive Director, Office of the Commission Secretary, Planning and
Management Office, General Administration Office, Financial Management Office,
separate offices for the performance of its powers and functions, (which shall include
but not limited to offices for human rights protection services, human rights
education and training services, human rights prevention and visitorial services,
human rights policy advisory services), regional and provincial offices and such
other offices as the Commission may establish in accordance with its functions.

The Commission shall have regional offices in every region, each of which shall be
headed by a Regional Director and each shall have their own office

building. The regional offices will include the geographically grouped regional offices
and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The National Capital Region shall be divided
into four (4) districts each shall also be headed by a Regional Director.

The Commission shall also have a provincial office in every province. These
Provincial Offices shall be under the direct supervision of the Regional
Office having territorial jurisdiction over them.

The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Commission
and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Commission
En Banc, who shall have supervision and control of the said office.

The Commission may affect changes in the organization as the need arises, Provided,
that such reorganization shall be funded out of the personnel services appropriation
of the Commission.

SEC. 13. Privileges and Emoluments of Commission Officials and Employees.
~ All officials and employees of the Commission shall receive emoluments and
privileges, which shall not be less than those given to their counterparts in
Constitutional Commissions.


SEC. 14. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall
promote and protect all human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and
cultural rights, and shall have the following general powers and functions:

(a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of violations of
human rights;

(b) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for contempt
any person for violations thereof or its lawful orders and, for this purpose, the Rules
of Court shall have suppletory application;

(c) Provide appropriate legal and preventive measures, which include but not
limited to the following:
1. legal assistance and counseling to victims;

2. directing concerned government agencies in giving protection to
victims of human rights violations;
3. issuing cease and desist orders;

4. Petition the Court for Writ of habeas corpus, Writ of Amparo, Writ of
Habeas Data, Writ of Kalikasan, and any other protective writs, in behalf of
the victims of human rights violations; and

5. Issue continuing mandamus for the protection of human rights

of all persons within the Philippines,

(d) Provide legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been
violated or need protection. Clients needing legal assistance/representation may
also be referred to the Public Attorney's Office or Legal Aid Offices, as may be
necessary and appropriate;

(e) Exercise unannounced, unhampered, unrestricted visits over jails, prisons,
camps, custodial/detention or confinement facilities, safe houses, and similar places
of deprivation of liberty;

(f) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to
enhance respect for the primacy of human rights. The CHR shall coordinate with
DepED, CHED, the Philippine Judicial Academy, the Legal Education Board, and other
State Colleges and Universities to ensure the objective of above stated;

(g) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote and protect human
rights;

(h) Recommend effective measures to provide for compensation to victims of
violations of human rights, or their families;

(i) Monitor the Philippine government's compliance with international treaty
obligations on human rights;

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(j) Report to international human rights mechanism on all aspect relating
to government’s compliance to its treaty obligations;

(k) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or
possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to
determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;

(1) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the
performance of its functions;

(m) Call on government departments, bureaus, offices or agencies to comply with
its obligations under the international human rights obligations;

(n) Perform its Gender and Child Ombud roles, as well as to ensure that the
status, rights, and interests of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, are upheld
in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and international instruments on human
rights;

(0) Issue human rights advisories, positions papers / opinion on all matters
affecting the human rights of all persons, directed to concerned agencies of
government for their consideration and implementation;

(p) Issue Human Rights Clearances and Certificates of No Pending Human Rights
Case;

(q) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and

(r) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.

SEC. 15. Investigative Powers and Functions. - The Commission shall
investigate, on complaint or on its own, cases of human rights violations. In the
exercise of its investigative function, the Commission shail:

(a) Act promptly on reports or complaints, filed in any form, by any individual or
organization. Findings of human rights violations shall include recommendations for
appropriate remedies, and referral to proper government agencies for the filing of
administrative, criminal, or civil actions. The recommendations may include
proposals for legislative, administrative, or judicial reforms. The investigation and
other proceedings conducted by any administrative, judicial, or quasi-judicial bodies
shall not bar the investigation of the Commission on allegations of human rights
violations and findings by the Commission must be given weight;

(b) Investigate alleged violations of human rights, international humanitarian law,
and anti-terrorism law violations, as provided in pertinent laws;

6


(c) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, to place the
witness under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas, and take testimony in any
investigation or inquiry conducted by the Commission or any of its offices;

(d) Conduct forensic and medical sciences in making findings of human rights
violations, including but not the limited to: collection of physical evidence from
locations relevant to its investigation; assessment of living victims of human rights
violations to determine their physical and mental well-being; and conduct
independent examination of the remains of alleged victims to document any injury
and to determine cause and manner of death. Pursuant thereto, the Commission
shall have the authority to exhume and conduct autopsy on the aforesaid human
remains, subject to the consent of the family of the deceased, if applicable;

(e) Provide psychosocial support, which includes but not limited to referral to
primary health care centers with existing mental health programs to victims of
human rights violations as well as human rights defenders under threat;

(f) Ensure provision of compensation for victims of human rights violations or their
families, as appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and the
circumstances of each case, resulting from gross violations of international human
rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law;

(g) Provide safety to witnesses, as well as human rights defenders under threat. For
this purpose, the Commission shall implement and manage a Witness Protection
Service, which will provide security, shelter, relocation, and livelihood assistance to
witnesses and their families, until such time the threat ceases, or when the case can
be endorsed to the Depart of Justice and the witness, or person under threat qualifies
for the latter's protection service.

The funding for the provision of compensation and for the Witness Protection Service
shall be taken from the current year’s appropriation of the Commission. Thereafter,
the funding requirement shall be included in the annual GAA.

(h) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or possession
of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth
in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;

(i) Cite for contempt of any person for violating the Commission’s Rules of Procedures
and lawful orders. In matters concerning contempt, the Rules of Court shall apply
suppletory to the Rules of Procedures of the Commission; and

(j) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental for
the effective exercise or conduct of its investigative powers.

SEC. 16. Visitorial powers. - The Commission or its duly authorized
representatives are hereby mandated and authorized to conduct regular,


independent, unannounced, unhampered, and unrestricted visits to or inspection of
all places of detention and confinement.

Places of deprivation of liberty refer to any place of detention, imprisonment,
confinement, or the placement of a person in a public or private custodial or
rehabilitative setting under or within the jurisdiction and control of the Philippines
where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty by virtue of an order given by
a public authority, at his/her instigation, or with his/her consent or acquiescence.

SEC. 17. Scope of Legal Measures. - In order to strengthen the exercise of its
investigatory power, the Commission, including its Regional and Provincial/District
Offices, may issue the following legal measures as well as provisional remedies,
which shall include, but not limited to:

(a) Mandatory Protection Orders (MPOs) directing government security forces and
other government agencies or private institutions to provide specific protection to
victims of and witnesses to human rights violations;

(b) Petition for the protection of the rights persons, such as:

1. Temporary liberty for medical examination (especially for sick and / or
pregnant persons deprived of liberty; and

2. Such other legal remedies to correct government actions that encroach on
or have the threat to violate human rights, such as petitions for certiorari,
mandamus, and declaratory relief;

(c) Other remedies in relation to the protection of the rights of children such as,
but not limited to:
1. Actions for protective custody of minor-victims of violation of children’s
rights;
2. Petitions for involuntary commitment, in coordination with the concerned
social work and development office; and
3. Petitions, motions, or pleadings to correct an error in the commitment,
detention and/or taking of custody of children in conflict with the law
(CICL);

(d) Mediation between parties on issues that are and can be subject to settlement.

SEC. 18. Monitoring Functions. - In the exercise of its mandate to monitor the
Government’s compliance with its international human rights obligations, the
Commission shall:


(a) Monitor and advise government on its responsibilities and obligations under
international human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a signatory;

(b) Prepare its own independent reports to the UN, human rights treaty bodies, and
other international human rights mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic
Review and special procedures mechanisms, in relation to its monitoring of
government's compliance with its international human rights obligation;

(c) Make the appropriate recommendations to the concerned government agency
with regard to requests for official visits of Special Procedures mandate-holders
and other treaty and charter-based mechanisms;

(d) Recommend ratification of, or accession to, international human rights
instruments, and ensure their implementation;

(e) Conduct inquiries on the manner of implementation by the Government of
specific human rights obligations;

(f) Request the cooperation of any public official on the measures undertaken by his
or her agency to comply with the State’s international human rights obligations;

(g) Coordinate with relevant government agencies in terms of its compliance with
international human rights obligations; and

(h) Undertake other activities as may be necessary in the conduct of its monitoring
and reporting function as an NHRI.

SEC. 19. Other Monitoring Functions. - The Commission shall also monitor
observance by non-state actors of human rights obligations arising — from
international and domestic laws or agreements entered into with the government,
as well as unilateral declarations and similar undertakings.

Violations of human rights committed by non-state actors that may be subject of
the Commission's monitoring functions shall include, but not limited to:

(a) Those committed by rebel groups in relation to international humanitarian law;

(b) Those committed by persons, both natural and juridical, in relation to economic,
social, and cultural rights, such as but not limited to labor, environment, and
demolition of houses; and

(c) Those committed by individuals in relation to violations of rights and protections
of marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors.

SEC. 20. Human Rights Education and Information. - The Commission shall
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establish a continuing program of education and information to enhance respect for
the primacy of human rights through its

education and promotion office, in line with the 1987 Constitution, domestic laws,
applicable treaty obligations of the Philippines, and the UN Declaration on Human
Rights Education and Training.

The Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Education and
Training Program for law enforcement officers, education and training institutions,
and other government agencies in coordination with the Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of
National Defense (DND), the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), Legal Education Board (LEB), Philippine Judicial Academy
(PHILJA), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and all other concerned
agencies.

Likewise, the Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights
Information Campaigns Program for civil society and the general public.

Sec. 21. Human Rights Institute. The Commission shal! establish a Human Rights
Institute (HRI). It is an educational and training institute responsible for the
promotion, and education of human rights and related fields, with in-house capability
in these areas of specialization. The Institute shall focus on formal education
programs and shall offer certificate courses on human rights and related-fields.

SEC. 22. Functions of the Human Rights Institute. - The Institute shall have
the following functions:

1. Serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges,
lawyers, and other human rights workers in government and civil society human
rights organizations on human rights and related issues. For this purpose, it shall
provide and implement curricula on human rights and shall conduct seminars,
workshops, and other training programs designed to develop human rights
knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors;

2. Receive income, legacies and donations for the benefit of its Human Rights
Institute or for its support or maintenance, which shall be exempt from the payment
of taxes and other fees and charges of the government, its branches and subdivision,
and which shall constitute a special fund to be administered and disbursed exclusive
for the Institute;

3. Enter into consortiums agreements with other educational and training institutes
for the development and implementation of its programs on human rights education;
and

4. Advise basic and higher education institutions and regulators on the teaching of
human rights and related issues including recommending effective measures to

10


promote human rights.

SEC. 23. Annual Report - The Commission shall prepare and make public an
annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities with regard to the status of
the government's compliance with its international human rights treaty obligations.
The report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(a) Recommendations for legal, legislative, and institutional reforms for the
greater promotion and protection of human rights; and

(b) Adoption and implementation by the concerned government agency of the
recommendations on the protection and promotion of human rights contained in the
Commission’s policy issuances and case and investigation resolutions.

The Commission shall directly submit its annual report to the Office of the President,
and the House of Representatives and the Senate, for consideration of the
corresponding recommendations and if necessary conduct public hearings pursuant
to said report.

SEC. 24, Financial Assistance Program. - The Commission may provide financial
assistance to victims of human rights violations and their families through a Financial
Assistance Program.

The funds necessary for the initial implementation of the Financial Assistance
Program shall be taken from the current year’s appropriation of the Commission.
Thereafter, the funding requirement shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 25. Legal Assistance Program. - The Commission shall maintain a Legal
Assistance Program to benefit underprivileged victims of human rights violations,
which may be in coordination with human rights organizations and lawyers’ groups,
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Public Attorney's Office, and Philippine law
schools.

SEC. 26. Protection of Filipinos Abroad. - The Commission shall undertake
measures for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos living abroad
in coordination and cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, or deputize
Philippine Embassy or Consulate officers, resident private individuals of known
probity and active involvement in human rights, or foreign-based human rights and
migrant workers’ non- government organizations in countries where the incidence of
human rights violations against Filipinos is widespread and commonplace, including
traditional host countries of overseas Filipino workers.

The Commission may establish multilateral relationships with other national human
rights institutions for the protection of human rights of Filipinos.

1


SEC. 27. Security of Data. - All documentation and information collected by the
Commission shall be kept strictly confidential, unless the Commission decides
otherwise in relation to a particular document: Provided, That no sensitive
information, whether personal or otherwise, shall be published without the express
consent of the individual or authority concerned: Provided further, That this
provision shall be in accordance with all applicable existing and future laws,
particularly, but not limited to, the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Publication of sensitive
information without the express consent of the individual or authority concerned will
be dealt with accordingly, which may include, but will not be limited to, being
penalized under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

SEC. 28. Protection from Criminal and Administrative Liability. - Any act/s
made pursuant to the functions and powers conferred upon the Commission under
this Act and other applicable laws, or in respect of any publication by, or under the
authority of the Commission, of any report, proceeding, or any other matter under
this Act, shall not be a ground for action, suit or other legal proceeding against any
member or staff of the Commission.

Any legal action filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or stifle any legal
recourse that any member, or staff of the Commission has taken, or may take, in
the performance of their functions, under this Act and other applicable laws, if
proven in court to have been filed for any of the aforementioned purposes, be
immediately dismissed with prejudice and the court may award damages, attorney's
fees, and costs of suit under a counterclaim if such has been filed.

SEC. 29. Franking Privilege. - The Commission may transmit through ordinary
mail and/or registered mail with return card, free of charge, all official
communications and papers directly connected with the conduct of its duties,
functions, or the exercise of administrative supervision over its personnel.

SEC. 30. Financial Report. - The Commission shall make available to the public
its annual financial statements and related financial reports as required by governing
oversight agencies.

SEC. 31. Appropriations. - In addition to the regular appropriations of the
Commission, the sum of Two Billion Three Hundred Forty Six Million Million Pesos
(P2,346,000,000.00) for the initial implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), in the year following its enactment into
law. Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary for the full implementation of this
Act, shall be included in the annual GAA.

SEC. 32. Transitory Provisions. - Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the positions,
emoluments, security of tenure, qualifications, privileges, and benefits of the
incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Commission, and the officers and
employees of the Commission upon its effectivity. However, officials and employees
of the Commission, in aid of its reorganization upon the effectivity of this Act, may

12


avail of an early retirement program as may be provided for by the Commission.

SEC. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The Commission shall, within
sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, formulate the implementing rules and
regulations in the exercise of its general, investigative, monitoring, education, and
advocacy powers and functions in consultation with other concerned government
agencies and stakeholders.

SEC. 34. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or part hereof be
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall
remain valid and effective.

SEC. 35. Repealing Clause. - Pertinent provisions of Executive Order 292 series of
1987, the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, as amended, and all laws, devices,
rules, orders, and regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary to, or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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