SIXTEENTH ~NGRESS OF THE 
REPUB,N:C.O. THE PHILIPPINES 
Second.Rle~ar ession 
~ 
) 
) 
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SENATE 
S.B.NO. 276? 
"15 
Mi\Y12 P4:2a 
Prepared by the Committees on National Defense and Security, Public Order and 
Dangerous Drugs, and Finance with Senators Trillanes, Poe, Escudero and Villar as 
authors 
AN ACT 
PREVENTING THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION BY 
MANAGING THE TRADE IN STRATEGIC GOODS, THE PROVISION OF 
RELATED SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I: 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
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SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Strategic Trade 
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Management Act (STMA)". 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is declared a policy of the State to be free 
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from Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in its territory, consistent with the 
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national interest, to fulfill its international commitments and obligations, including 
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United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540, to take and enforce 
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effective measures to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of 
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WMDs and their means of delivery; and to maintain international peace and security 
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and promote economic growth by facilitating trade and investment through the 
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responsible management of strategic goods and the provision of related services. 
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Toward this end and consistent with its foreign policy and national security 
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interests, and in support of efforts to counter terrorism, control crime, and safeguard 
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public safety, the State shall manage the trade of strategic goods and provision of 
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related services in accordance with international standards and best practices. 
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SEC. 3. Scope and Coverage. This Act shall apply to: 
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Any natural or juridical person operating within the Philippines who engages or 
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intends to engage in the export of strategic goods from the Philippines, 
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including designated special economic and free port zones, the import of 
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strategic goods into the Philippines; or the transit or transshipment of strategic 
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goods through the territory of the Philippines and the provision of related 
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services; and all Filipino persons providing these services wherever located; and 
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The re-export of strategic goods that have been imported from the Philippines to 
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a foreign country, and the reassignment of strategic goods imported from ttie 
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Philippines to a new end user in the country of import subject to authorization under 
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this Act. 
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SEC. 4. The National Strategic Goods List. There shall be a National 
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Strategic Goods List (NSGL) to describe with specificity the strategic goods 
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subject to authorization. The NSGL shall be in conformity with international 
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commitments 
and 
nonproliferation 
obligations 
pursuant to 
bilateral 
and 
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multilateral treaties, international conventions and international non-proliferation 
16 
regimes. 
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Upon its establishment, the NSGL shall be published in the Official Gazette 
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and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. The NSGL shall be 
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reviewed and updated on a regular basis. 
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Updates and revisions to the NSGL shall also be published in the Official 
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Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. The NSGL may 
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include strategic goods that may be placed under unilateral controls for reasons of 
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national security, foreign policy, anti-terrorism, crime control, and public safety, to be 
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known as "Nationally Controlled Goods". 
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The NSGL shall comprise three annexes: Military Goods (Annex 1), Dual Use 
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Goods (Annex 2), and Nationally Controlled Goods (Annex 3). 
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SEC. 5. Definition of Terms. As used in this act: 
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a. 
Authorization refers to an individual, global or general license issued by 
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the Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) for the export, import, re-
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export, reassignment, transit, transshiprnent of strategic goods and provision 
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of related services. 
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b. 
Carrier refers to any vessel, train, vehicle, aircraft or other modes of 
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transportation. 
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c. 
Document refers to any record on paper, in electronic form, kept on any 
magnetic, optical, chemical or other medium; photograph map, plan, graph, 
picture or drawing or device. 
d. 
End-use controls refers to a specific procedure authorizing the 
establishment of controls over any item, software, and technology not listed in 
the NSGL (unlisted goods) based on concerns related to weapons of mass 
destruction, their means of delivery, or military end-use in destinations 
subject to embargoes decided by the UN 
Security Council, or to 
prohibited/restricted end-users. 
e. 
End-user refers to a person who is outside or inside the Philippines and 
is the recipient and ultimate user of the strategic goods and related services 
that are exported from or imported to the Philippines. 
f. 
End-user certificate 
refers 
to 
a 
confirmation of the following: a) that the 
document which, contains 
end-user has undertaken to 
import the goods with specific value and amount; b) the purpose of the 
use of the goods; and c) that the end-user shall not re-export or re-assign 
the goods without prior written authorization. 
The certificate likewise 
refers to a document that verifies the end use and end user of military and 
dual use items as defined by this law. 
g. 
Export refers to an actual shipment of strategic goods out of the 
Philippines, OR to a transmission of software and technology by electronic 
media, including by fax, telephone, electronic mail or any other electronic 
means to an ultimate destination outside the Philippines. The term includes 
making available in electronic form such software and technology to 
persons outside the Philippines. It also applies to non-electronic 
reassignments 
of 
software 
or 
technology 
through 
face-to-face 
communication, personal demonstration, or handing over material or 
information to a foreign person wherever located. 
h. 
Financing refers to making available or providing funds to facilitate tt)e 
movementlflow of (a) strategic goods and/or related service if this 
contributes to weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery, or 
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(b) military goods if destined for a destination subject to a UN Security 
Council embargo or to prohibited/restricted end users. 
i. 
Import refers to the shipment of strategic goods or transmission of 
software or technology by any means from a foreign country into the 
Philippines; 
j. 
Juridical person refers to either (a) a partnership, a cooperative, 
and a private corporation, to which the law grants a juridical personality, 
separate and distinct from that of each shareholder, partner, or 
member, 
or 
(b) 
a 
government-owned-and-controlled-corporation 
created by law that engages or intends to engage in the trade of 
strategic goods or provision of related services. 
k. 
Knowledge refers to awareness or cognizance that a circumstance 
exists or is substantially certain to occur. It is also an awareness or 
cognizance of facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable 
person to believe its existence or factual occurrence. It also refers to the 
willful disregard of facts known to a person or willful avoidance of facts. 
I. 
Military goods refers to items, software, and technology that are 
specifically designed, developed, configured, adapted, or modified for a 
military end use. These goods are listed at Annex 1 of the NSGL. 
m. 
Military end-use refers to (a) incorporation into "military goods" listed in 
the NSGL; (b) use of production, test or analytical equipment and its 
components for the development, production or maintenance of "military 
goods" listed in the NSGL; (c) use of any unfinished products in a plant 
for the production of "military goods" listed in the NSGL. 
n. 
Premises refers to any land, place or building, whether open or 
enclosed, and whether built on or not, including any free trade zones within 
the territory of the Philippines. 
o. 
Reassignment refers to the reallocation of strategic goods previously 
exported from the Philippines from one person to another within a single 
foreign country by any means, including the electronic transmission of 
software and technology. 
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p. 
q. 
r. 
Re-export refers to the export to a foreign country of strategic 
goods either previously imported to or exported from the Philippines. 
Registration refers to the act of entering the exporters, importers 
and brokers of strategic goods and providers of services into the registry 
established by the STMO. 
Related services refers to brokering, financing, and transporting in 
relation to the movement of strategic goods between two foreign countries 
and providing technical assistance. 
For this purpose, brokering refers to 
activities such as (a) negotiating or arranging transactions that involve 
the shipment of strategic goods from a foreign country to any other 
foreign country; or (b) selling or buying with the intent to move strategic 
goods that are in a broker's possession or control from a foreign country to 
any other foreign country. 
s. Software refers to a collection of one or more programs or micro 
programs fixed in any tangible medium of expression. 
t. 
Strategic goods refers to goods listed in the NSGL under Annex 1 
(military goods); Annex 2 (dual use goods); Annex 3 (Nationally 
Controlled Goods); and any unlisted goods as provided for in Section 11. 
Dual-use goods refers to items, software, and technology which can be 
used for both civil and military end use or in connection with 
development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, 
detection, identification, or dissemination of weapons of mass destruction 
or their means of delivery. These goods are listed in Annex 2 of the NSGL. 
u. Technical assistance refers to any support provided in relation to 
strategic goods such as repair, development, manufacture, assembly, 
testing, maintenance, or any other technical service, and may take such 
forms as instruction, training, transmission of working knowledge or 
skills, or consulting services. Technical assistance can be provided by 
inter alia verbal communication or electronic means. 
v. Technology refers to specific information and processes necessary for 
the development, production, or use of strategic goods, and may take 
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such forms as blueprints, plans, diagrams, models, formulae, tables, 
engineering designs and specifications, manuals, and instructions written or 
recorded on other media or devices such as disk, tape, read-only memories. 
w. Transporting refers to the act of moving the strategic goods, agreeing 
to move them, any supporting services being provided to the transport 
provider, and any act calculated to promote their supply or delivery if this 
contributes to weapons of mass destruction, or means of their delivery, or 
military goods if destined to an embargoed destination subject to a UN 
Security Council embargo, or to prohibited/ restricted end users. 
x. Transit refers to a shipment of strategic goods entering and passing 
through the territory of the Philippines with an ultimate destination outside 
the Philippines in such a manner that the strategic goods remain at all times 
in or on the same carrier. 
y. Transshipment refers to a mode of shipping a good on a carrier which 
enters the territory of the Philippines, wherein the good is unloaded from 
the carrier and reloaded in the same or on another carrier that is bound for 
an ultimate destination outside the Philippines. 
z. Unlisted Goods refers to goods that are not on the NSGL and may be 
subject to an authorization requirement under this Act. 
aa. 
Weapon of mass destruction (WMO) refers to any destructive 
device or weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or 
serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of 
toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors, any weapon involving a 
biological agent, toxin, or vector, or any weapon that is designed to 
release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life. This 
includes: (a) Nuclear and radiological explosive devices and their major 
sub-systems; (b) Chemicals covered by Schedule I, II and III of the 
Chemical Weapons 
Convention; 
and 
(c) 
Biological 
agents 
and 
biologically derived substances specifically developed, configured, 
adapted, or modified for the purpose of increasing their capability to 
produce casualties in humans or livestock, degrade equipment, or damage 
crops. 
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CHAPTER II: 
IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM 
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SEC. 6. Central Authority. A permanent committee under the National 
5 
Security Council (NSC), to be known as the NSC-Strategic Trade Management 
6 
Committee (NSC-STMCom), is hereby constituted and deemed the central 
7 
authority on any and all matters relating to strategic trade management with the 
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following composition: (1) the Executive Secretary, as Chairperson; (2) the Secretary of 
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Trade and Industry, as Vice Chairperson; and (3) the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; (4) the 
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Secretary of Justice; (5) the Secretary of National Defense; (6) the Secretary of the 
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Interior and Local Government; (7) the Secretary of Finance; (8) the Secretary of 
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Transportation and Communications; (9) the National Security Advisor; (10) the 
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Secretary of Environment And Natural Resources; (11) the Secretary of Science and 
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Technology; (12) the Secretary of Agriculture; (13) the Secretary of Health; And (14) 
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the National Security Advisor, as Members. The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) -
16 
Program Management Center (PMC) shall serve as the Secretariat. 
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The members may designate a representative to the NSC-STMCom, who shall 
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have a rank not lower than an Undersecretary. Five (5) members of the NSC-STMCorn 
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shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 
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For purposes of this Act, the NSC-STMCom shall be complemented by the 
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following support agencies and bureaus: 
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a.) Department of Environment And Natural Resources (DENR) 
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b.) Department of Science And Technology (DOST) 
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c.) Department of Agriculture (DA) 
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d.) Department of Health (DOH) 
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e.) Bureau of Customs (DOF-BOC) 
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f.) Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) 
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g.) Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) 
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h.) Bureau of Quarantine (DOH-BOQ) 
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i.) Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) 
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j.) Information and Communication Office (DOST-ICTO) 
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k.) Armed Forces of The Philippines (AFP) 
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I.) Philippine National Police (PNP) 
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m.)Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 
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n.) Office of Transport Security (DOST-OTS) 
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0.) National Bureau of Investigation (DOJ-NBI) 
p.) Presidential Legislative liaison Office (OP-PLLO) 
q.) Office Of Special Envoy on Transnational Crime (OS ETC) 
r.) Such other offices, agencies or units as necessary 
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SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the NSC-STMCom. As the central authority 
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focused on the country's international commitment towards the promotion of a 
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secured and safe environment for trade in strategic goods consistent with the 
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objectives of this Act, the NSC-STMCom shall have the following powers and 
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functions: 
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a) 
Formulate and adopt strategies, policies and guidelines for the effective 
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implementation of this Act; 
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b) 
Establish, publish, review and update the National StrategiC Goods List; 
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c) 
Develop a standard end-users' certification; 
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d) 
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans, programs and 
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activities of the STMO; 
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e) 
Review and decide appeals on decisions made by the STMO; 
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f) 
Establish exemptions from an authorization requirement as provided for 
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in Section 15, and taking into consideration national security, foreign policy and 
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law enforcement concerns. These exemptions shall be published, reviewed 
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and updated; 
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g) 
Create working groups on specific issues by enlisting the assistance 
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and support of government agencies, the academe, as well as private 
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institutions, or persons to carry out its functions; 
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h) 
Establish and 
maintain coordination, 
cooperation, 
assistance and 
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information sharing with government agencies in the implementation of this Act; 
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i) 
Establish and maintain coordination, cooperation, assistance and 
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information sharing with other nations in the regulation of strategic goods; 
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j) 
Perform such other tasks and functions it may deem necessary to 
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effectively carry out the provisions of the Act. 
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SEC. 8. Executive and Technical Arm. The StrategiC Trade Management 
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Office (STMO) is hereby created as a bureau under the administrative supervision of 
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the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to serve as the executive and technical 
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agency of the national government for the establishment of the management 
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systems for the trade in strategic goods pursuant to this Act. The STMO shall be 
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headed by a Director who shall be responsible for the pursuit of the office mandate, the 
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discharge of its duties and functions and the exercise of supervision and control over 
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the STMO and its constituent units. The STMO, through the Secretary of Trade and 
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Industry, shall submit periodic updates to NSC-STMCom. 
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The organizational structure and staffing pattern of the STMO shall be formulated 
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by the DTI Secretary in coordination with the NSC-STMCom, subject to the approval by 
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the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in accordance with Executive Order 
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No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987). 
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SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the STMO. The STMO shall have the 
15 
following powers and functions: 
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a) 
Implement strategies, policies and guidelines formulated by the NSC-
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STMCom and develop, evaluate, and monitor corresponding programs and 
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activities; 
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b) 
Develop and 
activities to include 
maintain the register and carry out registration 
registration, registration with conditions, denial of 
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registration, modification, suspension, revocation or annulment of registration; 
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c) 
Establish and maintain a comprehensive data-base information system on 
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strategic goods and on persons engaged in the trade of strategic goods and 
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the provision of related services; 
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d) 
Issue or deny issuance of authorizations for the trade of strategic goods 
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and the provision of related services; 
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e) 
Modify, condition, limit, suspend, revoke, or annul authorizations that 
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have been issued as circumstances warrant in consultation with NSC-
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STMCom; 
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f) 
Issue, modify, suspend and revoke governmental end use assurances 
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in consultation with NSC-STMCom; 
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g) 
Ensure and 
operate end 
use/end-user controls and 
establish 
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compliance checks and exercise authority to enter premises for such 
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purposes; 
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h) 
Issue warning letters and orders for corrective action; 
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i) 
Conduct investigation into violations committed under this Act; 
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j) 
Undertake the enforcement of the provisions of this Act in cooperation 
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with other agencies; 
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k) 
Coordinate, cooperate, provide assistance and share information with 
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ATC and other Departments/Agencies in the implementation of this Act; 
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I) 
Conduct capacity building and training of personnel for the effective 
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implementation of this Act; 
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m) 
Coordinate with the industry and the public regarding their obligations 
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under this Act; 
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n) 
Encourage and facilitate international cooperation, including the 
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exchange of assistance such as information on matters regarding the 
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implementation and application of this Act or its Implementing Rules And 
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Regulations (IRR); and 
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0) 
Perform such other tasks and functions necessary to effectively carry 
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out the provisions of the Act. 
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CHAPTER 1/1: 
18 
RESPONSIBILITIES OF PERSONS 
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IN STRATEGIC TRADE TRANSACTIONS 
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SEC. 10. Responsibilities of Persons. It shall be the responsibility of any 
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person, subject to this Act, to ascertain whether certain goods fall under the NSGL 
23 
or is subject to authorization under this Act. Any person who intends to engage 
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in the export, import, transit, and transshipment of strategic goods, or the provision 
25 
of related services shall be required to obtain an authorization from the STMO as 
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provided in this Act and its implementing rules and regulations. In addition, any 
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person who intends to engage in the re-export or reassignment of strategic goods is 
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required to obtain an authorization when this has been made a condition for the 
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authorization of the exports from the Philippines. 
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No person shall be allowed to place any strategic good in or on any carrier 
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located within the territorial and economic jurisdiction of the Philippines without the 
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consent of the owner or operator of the carrier. Such owners and operators shall 
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be prohibited from allowing the placement of strategic goods in or on any carrier 
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unless the person presents an authorization issued by the STMO to export, import, 
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transit or trans-ship strategic goods. 
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All persons engaged in the business involving strategic goods are required to 
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keep at their principal place of business, in the manner prescribed by the 
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Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) TO BE ISSUED BY THE NSC-
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STMCom, for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the completion of the 
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transaction, all records of the transaction and/or books of accounts, business and 
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computer systems and all commercial and technical data related to the transaction 
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including: 
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a) 
the description of the strategic goods or related services; 
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b) 
the quantity and the value of the strategic goods or value of the 
14 
related service provided; 
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c) 
the name and address of the parties in the transaction or activity; 
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d) 
the end-use and end-user of the strategic goods or related services; and 
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e) 
the date of the transaction or activity. 
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The customs broker shall submit to the Bureau of Customs, a copy of the 
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authorization and a copy of the extract of the manifest of the carrier, in or on which the 
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strategic goods were loaded prior to its departure or arrival. 
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SEC. 11. End Use Controls. End use controls may be imposed on strategic 
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goods that are not on the NSGL (unlisted goods) and related services, and shall apply 
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as follows: 
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a) 
an individual license shall be required for the export, re-export, 
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reassignment, transit and transshipment of unlisted goods, the provision of 
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technical assistance or related services if the exporter or principal party has 
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been informed by the STMO that the goods or services are or may be used, 
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partly or entirely, in connection with the acquisition, development, production, 
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handling, 
operation, 
maintenance, 
storage, 
detection, 
identification 
or 
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dissemination of WMDs or their means of delivery; 
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b) 
an individual license shall also be required for the export, re-export, 
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reassignment, transit and transshipment of unlisted goods, or the provision of 
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technical assistance or related services if the purchasing country or country of 
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destination or juridical or natural person receiving the goods is subject to an 
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international sanction or an arms embargo imposed by a binding resolution of 
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the Security Council of the United Nations and if the exporter or principal party 
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has been informed by STMO in close consultation with NSC-STMCom that the 
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goods in question are or may be used, partly or entirely, for a military end-use; 
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c) 
an individual license shall also be required for the export of unlisted 
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goods, or the provision of related services if the exporter has been informed by 
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the STMO that the goods in question are or may be used, partly or entirely, as 
9 
parts or components of military items listed in the NSGL, that have been 
10 
exported from the territory of Philippines without license or in violation of a 
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license; and 
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d) 
if an exporter or principal party has knowledge or has grounds for 
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suspecting that unlisted goods proposed for export are or may be used, partly 
14 
or entirely, for any of the uses referred to in paragraphs a), and b), or for 
15 
suspecting that the provision of related services will facilitate that use, the 
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exporter or principal party must notify the STMO. 
The STMO shall decide 
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whether or not such goods are subject to a license. 
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SEC. 12. Control Over End Use of Strategic Goods in the Philippines 
19 
Under Governmental End Use Assurances. The STMO, in consultation with the 
20 
NSC-STMCom as may be necessary, is authorized to certify the end use of 
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strategic goods in the Philippines based on the International Import Certificate, 
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End Use Certificate and Delivery Verification Certificate. 
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The STMO, within the limits of its competence on the basis of end use 
25 
licensing documents, shall exercise the function of certification of the end use of 
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strategic goods. In addition to the standard end use certification assurances 
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contained in the end use documents, the STMO, in consultation with the NSC-
28 
STMCom, may add other terms and conditions in order to meet the requirements of 
29 
the exporting country of the goods and the security interest of the Philippines. 
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The STMO shall be responsible for informing the com~etent authority of the 
31 
end use country and all countries through which the goods will b.e transshipped or 
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transited. In fulfilling this responsibility, the STMO may request .addltional documents 
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such as declarations of the shippers or refer to other relevant information obtained in 
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the course of performing their functions under this Act. 
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The 
application, 
issuance, 
modification, 
suspension, 
or 
revocation 
2 
procedures of end use certification documentation shall be in accordance with the 
3 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and in consultation with the NSC-
4 
STMCom as may be necessary. 
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SEC. 13. Registration. Any person who engages or intends to engage in the 
7 
export, import, and re-export of strategic goods or provide related services shall 
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register directly with the STMO. 
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SEC. 14. Issuance of Authorization. Any person, prior to engaging in the 
11 
export, import, re-export, reassignment, transit, transshipment of strategic goods, or 
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provision of related services shall apply for an authorization from the STMO. the 
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application shall be in the manner and form prescribed under the IRR of this Act. 
14 
The STMO is authorized to collect fees to cover the cost to be incurred in the 
15 
processing of applications for authorization. 
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The STMO may issue an authorization to an applicant subject to conditions it 
18 
may deem fit. It may renew an authorization with or without conditions. 
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The STMO may deny, issue with or without conditions, modify, limit, suspend, 
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revoke, or annul the authorization based on its discretionary powers as specified in 
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the IRR. 
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SEC. 15. Exemption from Authorization Requirement. An authorization is not 
25 
required under the following circumstances: 
26 
a) 
import of strategic goods by the Government for the use of the Philippine 
27 
military or police forces; 
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b) 
temporary export of strategic goods by the Government for the use of the 
29 
Philippine military or police forces assigned outside of Philippine jurisdiction; 
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c) 
export, transit, and transshipment of strategic goods which are provided 
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in connection with a military, peacekeeping, or government humanitarian 
32 
mission; 
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d) 
export, import, transit and transshipment of strategic goods by the 
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Government in connection with law enforcement activities; and 
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e) 
any other circumstances as provided by the NSC-STMCom pursuant to 
2 
Section 8 (g) of this Act. 
3 
SEC. 
16. 
Administrative Appeals. Any person whose registration or 
4 
authorization has been denied, suspended, modified, limited, revoked, or annulled, and 
5 
any person upon whom administrative penalties have been imposed shall have the 
6 
right to appeal in accordance with the IRR. The decision on the appeal is final and 
7 
executory. 
8 
SEC. 17. Liability Limitation. If the STMO denies, suspends, limits, revokes 
9 
or annuls an authorization or registration, it shall not be liable for damages that may 
10 
be caused by such acts. 
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12 
SEC. 
18. 
Confidentiality of Business Proprietary Information. 
Any 
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information obtained under this Act that are marked as confidential business 
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information shall not be disclosed to any other party except in the furtherance of 
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justice and law enforcement, national security or foreign policy interest, as 
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determined by the STMO, unless the party providing such information has consented 
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to its disclosure. 
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CHAPTER IV: 
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LIABILITIES, VIOLATIONS, PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS 
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SEC. 19. Unlawful Act and Penalties. 
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(a) Any person who willfully and intentionally engages in any of the following activities 
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shall be imprisoned for a period from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) 
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years imprisonment, and a fine from one million (Php 1,000,000.00) pesos to five 
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million (Php 5,000,000.00) pesos: 
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1. 
To engage in any of the regulated activity prohibited by, or in 
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contravention of, this Act, including: failure to register; acts without an 
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authorization; or acts in breach of the conditions and terms of an 
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authorization or govemmental end use assurances; 
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2. 
To make false or misleading representations or conceal any material 
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fact, including in the submission of any documents, to the NSC-STMCom or 
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the STMO or any other Philippine government agency; 
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3. 
To engage in any activity prohibited by, or in contravention of, 
any orders or regulations issued by the NSC-STMCom to implement the 
provisions of this Act; 
4. 
To conspire or act in concert with one or more persons in any 
manner or for any purpose to bring about or to do any act that constitutes a 
violation of this Act, or any order, regulation, or authorization issued 
thereunder; 
5. 
To forge or alter any authorization, registration, certificates or any or 
other document issued under the provisions of this Act; 
6. 
To obstruct or hinder the NSC-STMCom or any government agency in 
the execution of its powers conferred under this Act; or 
7. 
To induce a violation of this Act or any order, regulation, or 
authorization issued thereunder. 
(b) 
Any person found guilty of committing any of the following shall be 
imprisoned for a period from six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years 
imprisonment, and a fine from One hundred thousand (Php 100,000.00) pesos 
to One million (Php 1,000,000.00) pesos: 
1. 
To fail to report or notify the STMO as required by this Act; 
2. 
To fail to comply with record keeping requirements as 
provided in this Act; or 
3. 
To engage in any activity with intent to evade the provisions of this 
Act, or any order, regulation, or authorization issued thereunder. 
SEC. 20. Attempt to Commit Violations of this Act. Any attempt to commit any 
crime under Section 19(a) of this Act shall be penalized by imprisonment for a period 
from six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, and a fine from One hundred 
thousand (PhP 100,000.00) to One million (PhP 1,000,000.00) pesos. 
SEC. 21. Investigation. If in the course of conducting an investigation for 
violations committed under this Act, the STMO comes across evidence of possible 
criminal violations, it shall refer the matter and turn over all available evidence to the 
following agencies: 
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a) 
Bureau of Customs on matters involving violations of import and export 
provisions of this Act as well as the Tariff and Customs Code; 
b) 
Coast Guard on matters involving violations that pertain to physical or 
outright smuggling on border security; or 
c) 
Philippine National Police f National Bureau of Investigation on acts 
involving violations outside the jurisdiction of the BOC and Coast Guard. 
After a finding that a prima facie case eXists, the aforementioned agencies shall 
refer such case to the Department of Justice for preliminary investigation. 
Appropriate forfeiture proceedings for materials and goods confiscated shall be 
filed in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
SEC. 22. Administrative Penalties. The STMO shall impose on any person 
found to have committed violations under this Act the following administrative 
penalties: 
1. 
Limitation, revocation or annulment of any authorization andfor 
registration; 
2. 
Imposition of fines of up to PhP 250,000.00 or twice the value of the 
strategic good or related service under the contract or as assessed by the 
STMO; and 
3. 
Upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission andfor 
the Department of Trade and Industry or any other relevant agencies, order 
the cancellation or suspension of the registration and authorizationflicense 
to operate of the partnership, corporation, association and other juridical 
entity. 
The imposition of the penalty shall be without prejudice to the filing of 
appropriate criminal charges against the persons responsible for the violation. 
SEC. 23. Criminal Liability of Officers of Partnerships, Corporations, and 
Other Juridical Entities. In case any of the violations of this Act is committed by 
a partnership, corporation, association, or any other juridical persons, the 
partner, president, director, manager, trustee, administrator, or officer who 
willfully and intentionally consents to, or tolerates such violation shall be held 
criminally liable as a co-principal. The penalty provided for the offense shall be 
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imposed upon the responsible officers who participated in the commission of the 
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crime or who have willfully and intentionally permitted its commission. 
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SEC. 24. Administrative Liability of Government Officials and Employees. 
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Any government official or employee who commits, or facilitates the commission of, 
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any violation under Section 20 of this Act shall be administratively liable under Civil 
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Service rules, without prejudice to criminal liability under this Act. The concerned 
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government official or employee shall, upon conviction, be dismissed from the 
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service. 
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SEC. 25. Additional Penalty if Offender is an Alien/Foreign National. In 
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addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, any alien/foreign national who 
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violates any provision of this act shall, after service of sentence, be deported 
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immediately without further proceedings, and be barred permanently from entering 
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the country. 
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SEC. 26. Forfeiture. In addition to imprisonment and fine, the strategic goods 
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subject of the offense, including the proceeds derived therefrom, shall be forfeited 
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in favor of the Government. 
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After conviction, the Regional Trial Court shall enter a judgment of forfeiture 
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of the goods, including its proceeds, in favor of the Government of the Philippines 
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and shall authorize the forfeiture of the seized goods. 
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Following the seizure of the strategic goods, the relevant government agency 
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shall direct the disposition of the property by sale or other commercially feasible 
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means. The offender or any person acting on behalf of the offender shall not be 
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eligible to purchase the forfeited property. The proceeds of any sale or disposition 
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of any property confiscated or forfeited under this Section shall be paid directly to the 
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National Treasury. All proper expenses incurred in the proceedings for the 
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confiscation, forfeiture, custody and rnaintenance of the property pending 
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disposition, as well as expenses for publication and court costs shall be taken from 
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the General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
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If the strategic goods are located outside of the Philippines, the court 
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may order the convicted offender to pay to the National Treasury the amount 
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equal to the value of the strategic goods or related services under the contract or 
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as assessed by the STMO, whichever is greater. 
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SEC. 27. Protection of Officers. No action or prosecution shall be brought, 
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instituted or maintained against the NSC-STMCom or the STMO or an authorized 
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officer for or on account of or in respect of any act ordered or done for the purpose 
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of carrying into effect this Act or IRR if the act was done in good faith and under a 
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reasonable belief that it was necessary for the purpose intended to be served 
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thereby. 
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SEC. 28. Jurisdiction. The Regional Trial Court shall have jurisdiction over 
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criminal prosecutions for violation of any provision of this Act, as well as over 
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applications for the issuance and grant of applicable provisional remedies under the 
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Rules of Court. 
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SEC. 29. International Legal Cooperation. 
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For the purposes of this section, the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall 
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make and receive requests for assistance and to execute or arrange for the 
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execution of such requests. 
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(a) 
Types of assistance. - the DOJ may execute or make a request for 
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assistance from a foreign state to: (1) take evidence or obtaining voluntary 
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statements from persons; (2) make arrangements for persons to give evidence 
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or to assist in criminal matters; (3) effect service of judicial documents; (4) 
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execute searches and seizures; (5) examine objects and sites; (6) provide or 
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obtain original or certified true copies of relevant documents, records and items 
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of evidence; (7) identify or trace property derived from the commission of an 
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offense and instrumentalities of crime; (8) restrain dealings in property or freeze 
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property derived from the commission of an offense that may be recovered, 
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forfeited or confiscated; (9) recover, forfeit or confiscate property derived from 
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the commission of an offense; and (10) locate and identifying witnesses and 
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suspects. 
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(b) 
Request for legal assistance from a foreign state - where a foreign state 
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makes a request for assistance in the investigation or prosecution for violation of 
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any of the regulated activities under this act, or in related criminal proceedings, 
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the DOJ may execute the request or refuse to execute the request, and inform 
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the foreign state of valid reason for not executing the request or for delaying its 
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execution. The DOJ may refuse a request for assistance where the action 
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sought by the request contravenes any provision of the constitution or the 
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execution of a request is likely to prejudice the national interest of the 
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Philippines, unless there is an existing treaty on mutual legal assistance 
between the Philippines and the requesting state. 
(c) 
Requirements for requests for mutual assistance from foreign states. - a 
request for mutual assistance from foreign states must contain the following: (1) 
name of the authority conducting the investigation, prosecution or judicial 
proceeding to which the request relates, including contact details of the person 
capable of responding to enquiries concerning the request; 
(2) specific 
purpose of the request and the nature of the assistance sought; (3) confirmation 
that an investigation or prosecution is being conducted in respect to the person 
named therein or that the person has been convicted for violation of any of tlie 
regulated particulars, if known; (4) specify the manner in which and to whom 
said information, document, material or object obtained pursuant to the request, 
is to be produced; (5) all the particulars necessary for the issuance by the court 
in the requested state of the writs, orders or processes needed by the 
requesting state; and (6) such other information as may assist in the execution 
of the request. 
(d) 
Authentication of documents. - any documents submitted by the foreign 
state pursuant to this section, shall be admissible as evidence in any 
proceeding, without need for further authentication. 
Subject to the provisions of the extradition law and the applicable extradition 
treaty, the offenses defined in this act shall be deemed included as extraditable 
offenses in an extradition treaty in which the Philippines is a party. 
CHAPTER V: 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 30. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
Within six (6) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules and Regulations Committee to be 
composed of the member-agencies of the NSC-STMCom shall draft and issue the 
IRR for its effective implementation, after public consultations with stakeholders: 
Provided, That the non-issuance of the IRR shall not prevent the coming into force of 
the Act. 
SEC. 31. Appropriations. The amount needed for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Department 
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of Trade and Industry. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 32. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held to be invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
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subsisting. 
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SEC. 33. Suppletory Application. For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal 
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Code and other applicable laws shall have suppletory application. 
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SEC. 34. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
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regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 35. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
J 
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