THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
S. No. 
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Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the new millenium, governance is an art, the practice of which will be 
increasingly hinged on a wide range of information - information regarding policy 
targets, options, and their implications. Any government that wishes to deliver 
sustainable long-term development to its constituents must ensure that its policy 
decisions are anchored on a unifying strategic vision. Otherwise, the leadership 
could end up finding themselves with no more than a patchwork of incoherent 
policies responding to disparate and fragmented demands placed on it by various 
sectors and segments of society. 
This bill proposes the expansion of the Center of International Relations 
and Strategic Studies so that it can cover researches aimed at formulating 
strategic options for national, economic and national security policies. Designed 
to conduct studies of political, economic and military issues of domestic and 
international significance, the Center will provide useful inputs so that Philippine 
government 
can 
benefit 
from 
a 
better-informed 
policy 
making 
and 
implementation. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. OsmeAa 111 
AN ACT 
EXPANDlNG THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND 
STRATEGIC STUDIES TO INCLUDE RESEARCH AND FORMULATION OF 
STRATEGIC OPTIONS FOR NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SECURITY 
POLICIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Expansion of the Center for lnternational Relations and 
2 Strategic Studies. - The Center for lnternational Relations and Strategic Studies 
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is hereby expanded to include research and formulation of strategic options for 
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national and economic security policies in its operational scope and activities. 
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SEC. 2. General Objectives. - The Center's general objectives are as 
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follows: 
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1. 
To enhance understanding by the executive and legislative 
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branches of fundamental, current, and emerging domestic and international 
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issues by assisting the Government in formulating policy and strategic 
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perspectives thereon. 
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2. 
To undertake studies of domestic and international, political, 
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economic, military, socio-cultural, and techno-scientific significance in an inter- 
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discipline and integrative manner. 
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3. 
To carry out such other programs and projects as may contribute to 
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the attainment of its mission. 
SEC. 3. 'Specific Objectives. - 
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A .  
To examine Philippine foreign and domestic policy issues and 
identify problems in their conceptualization, formulation and implementation. 
2. 
To assess social, economic, political and security developments 
and trends in our country and in various parts of the world and help formulate 
appropriate policy responses and strategies. 
3. 
To study the experiences of other governments and nations insofar 
as to draw lessons from them and/or anticipate their repercussions on the 
Philippines. 
4. 
To examine the global presence of Filipino nationals and their 
impact upon our national development and foreign relations and help project 
constructive policies in this regard. 
5. 
To develop expertise in area studies as well as resource bases on 
international relations, economic security and national development to serve the 
long-term needs of our country. 
6. 
To develop networks and information dissemination among various 
sectors in Philippine society and counterpart organizations in the international 
community for the above purposes and as a contribution to the enhancement of 
global understanding and cooperation. 
SEC. 4. Divisions. - The Center shall have the following Divisions under 
it: 
a) 
The Strategic Studies Division shall conduct long-term and 
comprehensive studies on major strategic global issues and their probable 
impact on the Philippines. 
b) 
The International Relations Division shall undertake studies on 
Philippine bilateral and multilateral relations. 
c) 
The National Policy Issues Division shall concentrate on studies 
dealing with national concerns in the political, economic and security areas. 
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d) 
The Cultural and Scientific Policy Studies Division shall deal with 
studies regarding national concerns in the socio-cultural and techno-scientific 
fields. 
e) 
The Library shall serve as the information repository of the 
Department and the Institute. 
SEC. 5. Research Fellows. - There shall be designated research fellows 
to conduct and, direct research work and strategic studies in the various 
functionaVarea programs consistent with their disciplines and expertise 
individually or collegially. They are to be commissioned by the Center to conduct 
studies or to serve as project directors / consultants for in-house studies. 
Depending on the nature and scale’ of the project, fellows recruited as 
consultants will be paid monthly honoraria for the duration of the project. 
Alternatively, a memorandum of agreement may be signed between the fellow or 
the agency he represents and the Center for needed studies. 
The Center shall hire research consultants and commission projects in 
special cases where the in-house staff has no technical capability or where other 
individuals or institutions have expertise. 
SEC. 6. Council of Advisers. - The Center shall organize a Council of 
Advisers. It will be composed of eminent scholars and practitioners from 
government and non-government institutions/entities that maintain units engaged 
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in policy research and strategic studies. 
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The Council shall be consulted regularly by the Center on the research 
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agenda. Its member-entities will be entitled to copies of regular CIRSS 
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publications and access to the Center’s library and data bank. In employing 
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visiting research fellows, the Center shall give priority to researches and analysts 
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of the Council’s member-entities if found qualified. In return, the member-entities 
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will link up with the ClRSS information network and grant the Center’s research 
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fellows access to their indexed reference materials subject to clearance. 
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SEC. 7. Repeal of lnconsistent Laws. - All laws, decrees and executive 
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SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
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declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and enforceability 
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of the other provisions not affected thereby. 
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SEC. 
9. 
Effecfivity. - This shall take effect upon its approval and 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
orders inconsistent herewith are hereby modified or repealed accordingly. 
Approved, 
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