FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
n 
Senate Bill No. 5 9 3 8  
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Bodong is a territorially-based bilateral covenant of non-aggression 
between Kalinga villages, the centerpiece of which is an indigenous unwritten 
mechanism for processing its breach and regulating inter-village relations. Its 
objective is to maintain peace and stability within the village and create bonds of 
amity between villages. 
The duty and obligation of Bodong holders in the community is paramount. 
While it may be accurate to say that the Bodong holder cannot guarantee 
complete safety, there are many things that the Bodong holder actually 
guarantees, such as the following: 1) swift investigation of an injury or death 
allegedly caused by a co-villager against a kabodong; 2) final determination of 
the identity of the covenant violator and consequent punishment commensurate 
to the gravity or as provided by the covenant; 3) indemnity for loss, injury or 
death due to the violation; 4) assistance to kabodong who gets sick within the 
village territory; 5) return of a kabodong's body who died of illness within its 
territory; and 6) assurance of village hospitality. 
enforce and execute the provisions of the Pagfa; prosecute with dispatch cases 
brought to his attention until the same have been settled to the satisfaction of 
both parties; not allow the severance of'the Bodong without complying with the 
provisions of Pagta; and arrest or cause the arrest of the violator of the Pagta. 
For most Kalinga, the Bodong is not only the result of the creation of a 
binding, legal relationship but it is also an important social activity. The 
convergence of both is what they poignantly equate as the essence of life not 
only because peace insures the perpetuation of their lives but also because the 
very activity itself makes them feel alive. 
The Peace Pact Holders or the Bodong holders are revered members of 
the community, more than a barangay captain or a law enforcer. It is for this 
reason that they should be accorded recognition and legal status as recognition 
and legal status a persons in authority in their own tribal barangay. 
In the Pagfa or law of the Bodong, the Bodong holder shall faithfully 1 
Immediate passage of this bill is therefore earnestly requested 
b 
MA k-t 
NYVI LAR 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No. __ 
1838 
7 UEC -4 
P I  :02 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
ACCORDING OFFICIAL STATUS AND LEGAL RECOGNITION TO TRIBAL. 
PEACE PACT HOLDERS IN THE PROVINCE OF KALINGA AND OTHER . 
AREAS WITH SIMILAR PRACTICE AS PERSONS IN AUTHORITY IN THEIR 
OWN TRIBAL JURISDICTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLE 
152 OF ACT NO. 3815 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Upon recognition by the members of his or her tribe and 
certification as such by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), 
Peace Pact Holders are hereby accorded official status and legal recognition as 
persons in authority in their own jurisdictions. 
SEC. 2. Article One Hundred and Fifty-Two of Act Numbered Thirty-Eight 
Hundred Fifteen, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
"ART. 12. Person in Authority and Agents of Persons in 
Authority. - Who shall be deemed as such. - In applying the 
provisions of the preceding and other articles of this Code, any 
person directly vested with jurisdiction whether as an individual or a 
member of some court or government-owned or controlled 
corporation, board, or commission, shall be deemed a person in 
authority. 
"Any person who, by direct provision of law or by election or 
by appointment by competent authority, is charges with the 
maintenance of public order and the protection and security of life 
and property, such as barangay councilman, barangay policeman, 
barangay leader, officers and members of the Community 
Brigades, and any person who comes to the aid of persons in 
authority, shall be deemed an agent or person in authority. A 
barangay captain and/or barangay chairman AND TRIBAL PEACE 
PACT HOLDERS IN THEIR OWN JURISDICTIONS shall also be 
deemed as persons in authority. In applying the provisions of 
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Articles 148 and 151 of this Code, teachers, professors, and 
persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized 
private schools, colleges and universities, shall be deemed persons 
in authority.” 
SEC. 3. All laws, decree, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly 
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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