FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senators Richard J. Gordon and Juan Miguel F. Zubiri 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) is the premiere humanitarian 
organization in the country, whose ,main objective is to alleviate human suffering wherever 
and whenever such situation occurs. During wartime, the PNRC assumes a neutral, non- 
combative posture to attend to the wounded. During peacetime, the PNRC provides aid to 
victims of calamities. 
The PNRC was chartered in 1947 through Republic Act No. 95, which was amended 
by Republic Act Nos. 885 and 6373 and later on by Presidential Decrees Nos. 1264 and 
1643. To be sure, the PNRC is a unique hybrid because while it was created by law and 
hence a Philippine entity, it is imbued with international character having been created by 
virtue of the Third Geneva Convention where the Philippines, by “that action, indicated its 
desire to participate with the nations of the world in mitigating the suffering caused by war x 
x x.”. Moreover, the PNRC is a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross 
(IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies. As such, its functions, operations, management and 
existence must conform to IFRC rules, regulations, resolutions, policies and norms. 
Because of the PNRC’s unique hybrid nature, the PNRC must be accorded a huge 
amount of flexibility in its operations. The PNRC needs all the resources it can gather to 
sustain its operations and at the same time maintain its principle of independence. The 
PNRC has to buy ambulances, fire trucks and many other costly equipment for its relief 
efforts. It conducts programs in blood donations and emergency response training in 
schools for the formation of the Filipino youth. 
However, being a mere auxiliary, the PNRC does not receive a budget from the 
national government. It has been given tax exempt status on its donations of real property 
but remains subject to real property tax. The tax liability is a heavy burden to bear 
considering the number of disasters that plague the Philippines annually. 
It therefore behooves this august chamber to amend Republic Act No. 95 to give the 
PNRC the needed flexibility to fulfill its mandate given its international, auxiliary and 
For these considerations, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RICHARD J. GORDON 


9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senators Richard J. Gordon and Juan Miguel F. Zubiri 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 95, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL RED CROSS CHARTER, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be if enacted by the Senate and the House of Represenfafives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"CREATION OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS. - There is 
hereby created in the Republic of the Philippines a body corporate and politic 
CALLED THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS WHICH SHALL [to] be 
the voluntary organization officially designated AS AN AUXILIARY TO THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, [and] to assist the Republic of the 
Philippines in discharging the obligations set forth in the Geneva 
Conventions, and to perform such other duties as are inherent upon a 
national Red Cross Society; PROVIDED, THAT, THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
RED CROSS SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A GOVERNMENT 
INSTRUMENTALITY AND, HENCE, SHALL NOT BE COVERED BY 
GOVERNMENT AUDITING, 
PROCUREMENT AND CIVIL SERVICE 
REGULATIONS 
APPLICABLE 
TO 
OTHER 
GOVERNMENT 
INSTRUMENTALITIES. The national headquarters of this [Corporation] 
AUXILIARY TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES shall be located in 
Metropolitan Manila." 
Section 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"The name of [corporation] THIS AUXILIARY ENTITY shall be "The 
Philippine National Red Cross" and by that name shall have perpetual 
2 


I 
2 
a. 
3 
b. 
4 
5 
6 
7 
c. 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
d. 
13 
14 
e. 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
succession AND ENJOY THE FOLLOWING CORPORATE POWERS: 
[with the power] To sue and be sued; 
[t] To own and hold such real and personal estate as shall be deemed 
advisable and to accept bequests, donations and contributions of property of 
all classes for the purpose of this [Corporation] AUXILIARY TO THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES hereinafter set forth; 
[t] To adopt a seal and to alter and destroy the same at pleasure, and 
to have the right to adopt and to use, in carrying out its purposes hereinafter 
designated, as an emblem and badge, a red Greek cross on a white ground, 
the same as has been described in the Geneva Conventions, and adopted by 
the several nations ratifying or adhering thereto: 
[t] To ordain and establish by-laws and regulations not inconsistent 
with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines; and 
[g] Generally to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to 
carry into effect the provisions of this Act and promote the purposes of said 
organization. " 
[; and the corporation] THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS, AS hereby 
created, is designated as the organization which is authorized to act in 
matters of relief under said ConventionS. In accordance with the Geneva 
Conventions, the issuance of the distinctive Red Cross emblem to medical 
units and establishments, personnel and materials neutralized in time of war 
shall be left to the military authorities. The red Greek cross on a white ground, 
as has been described by the Geneva Conventions is not, and shall not be 
construed as a religious symbol, and shall have equal efficacy and 
applicability to persons of all faiths, creeds and beliefs. The operational 
jurisdiction of the Philippine National Red Cross shall be over the entire 
territory of the Philippines." 
Section 3, Section 3 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
29 
30 
31 
32 
shall be as follows: 
33 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"PURPOSES OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS. That the 
purposes of [this Corporation] THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS 
a. 
To provide volunteer aid to the sick and wounded of armed forces 
3 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
in time of war, in accordance with the spirit of and under the conditions 
prescribed by the Geneva Conventions to which the Republic of the 
Philippines proclaimed its adherence; 
b. 
For the purposes mentioned in the preceding sub-section, to 
perform all duties devolving upon the Corporation as a result of the 
adherence of the Republic of the Philippines to the said Convention; 
To act in matters of voluntary relief and in accordance with the 
authorities of the armed forces as a medium of communication between 
people of the Republic of the Philippines and their Armed Forces, in time of 
peace and in time of war, and to act in such matters between similar national 
societies of other governments and the Governments and people and the 
Armed Forces of the Republic of the Philippines; 
c. 
d. 
To establish and maintain a system of national and international 
relief in time of peace and in time of war and apply the same in meeting and 
emergency needs caused by typhoons, flood, fires, earthquakes, and other 
natural AND/OR MAN-MADE disasters, and to devise and carry on measures 
for minimizing the suffering caused by such disasters; 
e. To devise and promote such other services in time of peace and in 
time of war as may be found desirable in improving the health, safety and 
welfare of the Filipino people; 
f. 
To devise such means as to make every citizen andlor resident of 
the Philippines a member of the Red Cross." 
Section 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"POWERS TO ASSIST THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS TO 
REALIZE PURPOSES AND MANDATE. In furtherance of the purposes 
mentioned in the preceding sub-paragraphs, AND IN ORDER TO ALLOW IT 
TO FULLY REALIZE ITS MANDATE UNDER THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS 
AND THIS ACT, the [Philippine National Red Cross] PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
RED CROSS shall: 
a. 
Be authorized to secure loans from any financial institution 
which shall not exceed its budget of the previous year. 
33 
b. 
ALL 
PROVISIONS OF 
LAW 
TO 
THE 
CONTRARY 
4 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
NOTWITHSTANDING, [b] BE exempt from payment of all [duties,] DIRECT 
AND INDIRECT taxes, fees, and other charges of all kinds on all INCOME 
DERIVED FROM ALL ITS OPERATIONS, INCLUDING PROVISION OF 
SERVICES, AS WELL AS ,FROM ALL DIRECT AND INDIRECT DUTIES, 
TAXES, FEES AND OTHER CHARGES ON ALL importations and purchases 
for its exclusive use. THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS SHALL 
LIKEWISE BE EXEMPT FROM ALL DUTIES, TAXES, FEES AND OTHER 
CHARGES OF ALL KINDS on donations for its disaster relief work and other 
Red Cross services, and in its benefits and fund raising ACTIVITIES AND 
drives, INCLUDING THE USE, LEASE OR SALE OF ITS REAL PROPERTY. 
[all provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding.] FINALLY, THE 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE 
PAYMENT OF REAL PROPERTY TAXES ON ALL REAL PROPERTY 
OWNED BY IT WHETHER OR NOT THE SAME IS ACTUALLY BEING USED 
TO CARRY OUT ITS PURPOSES UNDER THIS ACT. 
c. 
Be allotted by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office AT 
LEAST one lottery draw yearly for the support of its disaster relief operations 
in addition to its existing lottery draws for the Blood Program." 
Secfion 5, Section 5 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"MEMBERSHIP. 
Membership in the Philippine National Red Cross 
shall be open to THE entire population in the Philippines regardless of 
citizenship. Any contribution to the Philippine National Red Cross Annual 
Fund Campaign shall entitle the contributor to membership for one year and 
said contribution shall be deductible in full for taxation purposes." 
Secfion 6,'Section 6 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS BOARD OF GOVERNORS. 
The governing powers and authority shall be vested in a Board of Governors 
composed of thirty members, six of whom shall be appointed by the President 
of the Philippines, eighteen shall be elected by chapter delegates in biennial 
conventions and the remaining six shall be elected by the twenty-four 
members of the Board already chosen. At least one but not more than three 
5 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
I3 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
of the Presidential appointees shall be chosen from the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines." 
a. 
The term of office of all members of the board of Governors shall 
be four years, including those appointed by the President of the Philippines, 
renewable at the pleasure of the appointing power or elective bodies. 
b. 
Vacancies in the Board of Governors caused by death or 
resignation shall be filled by election by the Board of Governors at its next 
meeting, except that vacancies among the Presidential appointees shall be 
filled by the President. 
Section 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS OFFICERS. The President of 
the Philippines shall be the Honorary President of the Philippine National Red 
Cross. The officers shall 'consist of a Chairman, a Vice-chairman, a 
CORPORATE Secretary, a Treasurer, a Counselor, an Assistant Secretary 
and an Assistant Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by the Board of 
Governors from among its membership for a term of two years and may be 
re-elected. The election of officers shall take place within sixty days after all 
the members of the Board of Governors have been chosen and have 
qualified." 
Section 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"BIENNIAL MEETING. The Biennial meeting of chapter delegates 
shall be held on such date and such place as may be specified by the Board 
of Governors to elect members of the Board of Governors and advise the 
Board of Governors on the activities of the Philippine National Red Cross; 
Provided, however that during periods of great emergency, the Board of 
Governors in its discretion may determine that the best interest of the 
[corporation] shall be served by postponing such biennial meeting." 
Section 9. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
'BY-LAWS AND RULES AND REGULATIONS. The power to ordain, 
adopt and amend by-laws, AS WELL AS ITS RULES and regulations, 
6 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
INCLUDING THOSE GOVERNING ITS CHAPTERS, shall be vested in the 
PNRC'S Board of Governors." 
Section 10. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"COMPENSATION. The members of the Board of Governors, as well 
as the officers of the corporation, shall serve without compensation. The 
compensation of the paid staff of the [corporation] PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
RED CROSS shall be determined by the Board of Governors upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary General." 
Section 11. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"FUNDING. As a national voluntary organization, the Philippine 
National Red Cross shall be financed primarily by contributions obtained 
through solicitation campaigns throughout the year which shall be organized 
by the Board of Governors and conducted by the Chapters in their respective 
jurisdictions. These fund raising campaigns shall be conducted independently 
of other fund drives and service needs, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT 
BE LIMITED TO, THE SALE, LEASE OR JOINT VENTURE DEVELOPMENT 
OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS' REAL PROPERTIES." 
Section 12. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS CHAPTERS. The Board of 
Governors shall promulgate rules and regulations for the organization of local 
units of the Philippine National Red Cross to be known as Chapters. Said 
rules and regulations shall fix the relationship of the Chapters to the 
Corporation, define their territorial jurisdictions, and determine the number of 
delegates for each chapter based on population, fund campaign potentials 
and service needs." 
Section 13. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"ANNUAL REPORT. The [Corporation] PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED 
CROSS shall, at the end of every calendar year, submit to the President of 
the Philippines an annual report containing the activities of the [Corporation] 
7 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS showing its financial condition, the 
receipts and disbursements." 
Secfion 14. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"UNLAWFUL SOLICITATION. It shall be unlawful for any person to 
solicit, collect or receive money, materials, or property of any kind by falsely 
representing or pretending himself to be a member, agent or representative of 
the Philippine National Red Cross." 
Section 15. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
"RED CROSS NAME AND EMBLEM. The use of the name Red Cross 
is reserved exclusively to the Philippine National Red Cross and the use of 
the emblem of the red Greek cross on a white ground is reserved exclusively 
to the Philippine National Red Cross, medical services of the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines and such other medical facilities or other institutions as may 
be'authorized by the Philippine National Red Cross as provided under Article 
44 of the Geneva Conventions. It shall be unlawful for any other person or 
entity to use the words Red Cross or Geneva Cross or to use the emblem of 
the red Greek cross on a white ground or any designation, sign, or insignia 
constituting an imitation thereof for any purpose whatsoever." 
Secfion 16. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 95, otherwise known as the Philippine 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
National Red Cross Charter, as amended, is hereby further amended to read: 
"PENAL CLAUSE. As used in this Decree, the term person shall 
include any legal person, group, or legal entity OF whatsoever nature. [,and 
a] ANY person violating any section of this Article shall, upon conviction 
therefore be liable to a fine of not less than [one] FIFTY thousand pesos or 
imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of 
the court, for each and every offense. In case the violation is committed by a 
corporation or association, the penalty shall devolve upon the president, 
director or any other officer responsible for such violation." 
Secfion 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws or parts thereof, decrees, orders, rules 
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
8 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
Approved, 
Section 18. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this Act is declared 
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
Section 19. €ffectivify - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
9