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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No.. 2770

INTRODUCED BY: REPRESENTATIVE PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill hopes to put up a singular entity called the Philippine Trade Representative
Office to principally handle the country’s trade and investment agreements. It aims to promote
greater accountability of our trade negotiators with regard to trade and investment agreements,
more coherence and cohesiveness in our trade and investments negotiating strategy, involve
Congress in formulating a negotiating mandate before any negotiations take place, put in place
mandatory consultative mechanisms for greater participation of the private sector as well as civil
society organizations in trade negotiations and to provide closer coordination between the
Philippine Trade Representative, the various departments involved and Congress.

For all these very important reasons, passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

A
PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16th CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2770

HOUSE BILL NO.

BY REP. PRYDE HENRY A. TEVES

AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SE
Rep

MON |. Title. = 1
entative Office”,

Act shall be known as the “Charter of the Philippine Trade

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to pursue a trade
policy that serves the general welfare, creates jobs, ensures food security and rural and industrial
development, among others, and utilizes all forms and arrangements of exchange on the basis of
fuir trade, Market access in itself is not the end goal of trade negotiations.

It is also the declared policy of the State to ensure the right of the people and their organizations
to be duly informed on matters of public concern and the right to effectively and reasonably
participate in economic decision making.

Congress has the power to regulate commerce, including commerce with foreign nations, and has
the power to reorganize the bureaucracy in order to make it more responsive to the needs of all
the stakeholders in the Philippine economy and the exigencies of international economic
relations. Any international economic, commercial or trade agreement entered into by the
government constitutes regulation of commerce and will affect the different stakeholders in our
economy. Hence, it is essential that any agreement is harmonized with existing domestic
commercial laws and the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Moreover, Congress, as one of the three (3) branches of the government, has the power over
foreign relations, especially international economic relations, Pursuant to the power of Congress
to regulate commerce, the State shall ensure that a single office shall, with competence and
accountability, direct, formulate and coordinate the efforts of government agencies toward
formulating cohesive policies, measures and conduct regular consultations with stakeholders on
matters pertaining to international trade and investment relations and negotiations.


SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. —

(a) Ambassador refers to a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government,
or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of the country. In
everyday usage, it applies to the ranking plenipotentiary minister stationed in a foreign capital
The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy,
whose territory, staff and even vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity from most
laws of the host country.

(b) Civil society refers to the totality of voluntary civie and social organizations and institutions
that form the basis of a functioning society as opposed to the formal institutions and structures of
a State,

(Commerce refers to the entire range of activities connected with the production,
manufacturing, accumulation, gathering, mining, raising, harvesting, exchange or buying and
selling of something of economic value such as agricultural products, minerals, goods, services,
information, debt instruments, shares of stock or equity, derivatives and money. It also includes
capital formation, either through debt or equity, savings and investments, Finally, it likewise
includes the obligations, rights and duties of all economic entities such as natural persons,
corporations, partnerships and governmental entities

(@) Consultation mechanism refers to the means by which stakeholders and sectors could
participate effectively and meaningfully in the governmental process of drawing up our
international trade policy, and in coming up with all other policies and rules affecting all aspects
of international trade.

(c) Fair trade refers to a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transpareney and respect that
ler equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by securing,
and offering better trading conditions to marginalized producers and workers,

seek

(1) Investment refers to the act of putting money to a business, either by directly buying or
1g assets, hiring personnel and entering into a whole gamut of contracts needed to run an
ongoing concern, or by buying equity in a business ~ typically in the form of shares of stock.

(g) Legal reters to the characterization of an act that is not contrary to law and the accession of

the parties to a trade and/or investment agreement.

(h) Multiscetoral refers to a grouping of different sectors of the economy,

(i) Nongovernment organizations refer to non-stock, nonprofit corporations organized under the
laws of the Republic of the Philippines doing charitable, educational, religious, social, economic
and other not-for-profit endeavors.


Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the President shall appoint the Philippine
Trade Representative with the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments, together with
the Deputy Trade Representatives upon the endorsement of various stakeholders.

SEC. 5. Qualifications and Limitations on Appointments, —

(a) Qualification, ~ The Philippine Trade Representative and Deputy Trade Representatives must
be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least thirty-five (35) years of age, with the
ception of the Philippine Trade Representative who should be at least forty (40) years of age.
of good moral character, unquestionable integrity and known probity and patriotism, and must
have academic training, experience and competence in business, economics, international trade
law and policy or trade negotiations.

en

The Philippine Trade Representative and Deputy Trade Representatives shall not, during, their
tenure in office, engage in the practice of any profession or intervene directly or indirectly in the
management or control of any private enterprise which may, in any way, be affected by the
functions of their office, nor shall they be financially interested, whether directly or indirectly, in
any contract with the government or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the
government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned
or -controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in
the conduct of their office.

(b) Limitations on Appointments; Disqualification. ~ No person shall be appointed Philippine
‘Trade Representative or Deputy Trade Representative if the person has directly represented,
aided or advised a foreign entity in any trade and/or investment negotiation or trade dispute
against the Philippines. Likewise, the Philippine ‘Trade Representative, the Deputy ‘Trade
Representatives and all the members of the research group and legal team of the Trade Office
shall not be allowed to be employed, commissioned or retained by foreign entities, or to do any
kind of consultancy or related work for foreign clients on trade and investment issues within two
(2) years after the expiration or termination of their service with the Office of the Philippine
‘Trace Representative. They shall likewise maintain at all times the confidentiality of all matters
that they have handled during their service with the Trade Office.

SEC. 6. Functions and Responsibilities of the Trade Office. — The Trade Office shall:

(a) Conduct research and legal studies related to trade and investments that will enhance trade
policy formulation;

(b) Obtain, collate and maintain a database that shall include, but not be limited to, trade and
investments statistics, wade and investment related laws, policies, trade and investment
agreements and initiatives which have implications on the development of the Philippine
negotiating position in trade and investment agreements, and which shall be accessible to
stakeholders;



(c) Undertake consultations with stakeholders in all aspects of trade policy formulation and
negotiation. Stakeholders must also be directly involved in formulating positions related to trade
and investment negotiations in line with the national development agenda;

(d) Formulate the Philippine trade position aimed to support the achievement of the economic
goals defined in the Constitution that is a product of a regular and meaningful consultation with
relevant government agencies and various civil society stakeholders:

(c) Negotiate trade and investment agreements on the basis of the Philippine Constitution and
other laws, and represent the Philippines in all international trade negotiations including, but not
limited to, any matter considered under the auspices of world trade organizations and other
regional and bilateral commodity and direct investment negotiations in which the Philippines
participates;

(0) Advise the President and Congress on international trade and investments policies and their
implications on the domestic economy and the impact of domestic policies on international trade
and investments commitments;

(g) Assert'and protect the rights and interests of the Philippines under all bilateral, regional and
multilateral trade and investment agreements by coordinating quick and decisive inter-agency
response including, but not limited to, cases of unfair trade practices, import surges and rules on
investment;

(h) Provide the necessary staff support to the Multi-Sectoral and Sub-Sectoral Advisory
Committees and the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee;

(i) Appoint, employ and fix the compensation in accordance with existing compensation laws of
such officers and employees as are necessary and prescribe their authority and duties, subject to
Civil Service Commission laws, rules and regulations;

j) Employ and compensate experts and consultants in accordance with relevant laws:

(k) Promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the functions, powers
and duties vested herein;

() Enter into and perform such contracts, leases, cooperative agreements or other transactions as
may be necessary in the conduct of the work of the Trade Office and on such terms as the
Philippine Trade Representative may deem appropriate with any agency or instrumentality of the
Philippine government or with any public or private person, firm, association, corporation or
institution; and

(m) Adopt an official seal which shall be judicially noticed.


SEC. 7. Functions of the Philippine Trade Representative, ~ The Philippine Trade Representative
may, for the purpose of carrying out the functions of the Trade Office:

(a) Create the organizational structure of the Trade Office consistent with its mandate and
functions provided in this Act and according to strategic needs, and review the structure
regularly;

(b) Head the Trade Office and exercise control and supervision over all its functions, activities
and its organization;

(c) Serve as the chief trade negotiator of the Philippines in international trade and investment
agreements including, but not limited to, the World Trade Organization (WTO), regional.
bilateral and plurilateral negotiations, in which the Philippines participates, and shall be
respansible for the conduct of such;

(d) Create sectoral and thematic desks that will receive and facilitate referral to appropriate
agencies of complaints, information and concerns pertaining to trade and investment matters;

(©) Chair the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on international trade and investments;

(8) Monitor and enforce the implementation of Philippine international trade policy, including
direct investment matters to the extent that these are related to international trade policy:

(g) Coordinate with national agencies in the performance of functions, including the right to
issue compulsory processes pursuant to

Section 15 of this Act;

(h) Call upon and deputize, in times of trade policy formulation and negotiations, the national
agencies and their personnel and correspondingly use the services of the deputized agency,
whose functions are related to or affect international trade policy, including direct investment
matters to the extent that these are related to international trade policy;

(i) Co-chair the Mul

ectoral Advisory Committee in its regular and special meetings; and

() Perform such other functions inherent to the functions of the Philippine Trade Representative
and as the President may direct pursuant to this Act.

SEC. 8. Ex Officio Positions and Functions of the Philippine Trade Representative. — The
Philippine Trade Representative shall be entitled to the following ex officio positions and
functions:

(a) Senior representative on any body that the President may establish for the purpose of advising
the President on overall economic policies in which international trade matters predominate; and


(b) Participant in all economic summits and other international meetings in which international
trade is a major topic

SEC. 9. Functions and Duties of the Deputy Trade Representatives, — The Deputy ‘Trade
Representatives shall have, as principal function, the conduct of trade negotiations under this Act

and shall have such other functions as the Philippine Trade Representative may direct, to wit:

(a) Lead the negotiations for their respective sectors and/or areas of concern;

(b) Convene and chair the Sub-Sectoral Advisory Committee and the Inter-Agency Coordinating
Subcommittee for their respective sectors and/or areas of concern;

(c) Ensure proper coordination among the various government agencies involved in their specific
sectors of concern and harmonize conflicting negotiating positions;

(a) Prepare sector-specific proposals and negotiating positions and strategies; and

(c) Perform all other functions as may be delegated by the Philippine Trade Representative or as
may be required by the nature or exigencies of their foregoing functions and responsibilities

SEC. 10, Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee and Subcommittees — In connection with the
performance of the functions, the Philippine Trade Representative shall, to the extent necessary
for the proper administration and execution of the trade and investment agreements of the
Philippines, draw upon the expertise of and consult with national agencies.

‘The Philippine Trade Representative shall consult with concerned agencies and any other agency
on trade and investment policy issues, without prejudice to the exercise by the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) of its authority as an independent central monetary authority under the
Constitution and Republic Act No. 7653 or the New Central Bank Act. All agencies consulted by
the Philippine Trade Representative shall participate actively, cooperate fully and promptly
provide to the Philippine Trade Representative all documents and information requested.

Further, there is hereby created Inter-Agency
Deputy Trade Representatives.

Subcommittees to provide inputs and support to the

SEC, 11. Membership in the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Boar
The Philippine Trade Representative shall be a member of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) Board which was created under Executive Order No. 230. The
Philippine Trade Representative shall have the same rights and obligations as all the other
members of the Board.

SEC. 12. Organization of the Trade Office. ~ Pursuant to the provisions of this Act and to
function effectively, the Philippine Trade Representative shall be internally supported by a Trade
Research, Data Collection, Analysis and Dissemination Service and a Legal Service. Both
Services shall comprise the Trade Office.


13. The Trade Research, Data Collection, Analysi: emination Service. — The
Trade Research, Data Collection, Analysis and Dissemination Service under the Trade Offive
shall have the following specific functions and responsibilities:

(a) Improve and strengthen the capacity of the Trade Office on research, data collection, analysis
and dissemination of wade and investments statistics, laws and policies, agreements and other
related information;

(b) Generate, maintain and update records/files of comprehensive national and international trade
statistics, tariff and nontariff measures and investment-related data;

(c) Conduct sectoral and macrolevel impact assessment and/or potential effects of the country’s
trade negotiating positions or an eventual trade agreement and validate such studies;

(@) Provide the general public access to trade data and information and other relevant documents
through online databases, journals, publications, ete.:

(e) Collaborate with government and nongovernment research institutions in research concerning
trade and investment policies and programs in relation to the national development program:

() Tap the foreign trade service corps to get market intelligence information with regard to
commercial, industrial and general economic conditions, as well as noneconomic conditions,
affecting Philippine products both in the export and domestic markets;

(g) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Trade Representative
or the Deputy Trade Representatives; and

(h) Conduct or facilitate the conduct of trainings and courses for the benefit of the technical staff
of the Trade Office and other government personnel directly or indirectly engaged in trade and
investment policy work in order to build, improve and enhance the capacity and competence in
trade and investment negotiations.

SEC. 14. The Legal Service. - The Legal Service shall have the following functions and
responsibilities:

(a) Provide legal advice to the Trade Office, including legal advice on trade and investment
negotiation:

(b) Interpret laws and rules affecting the operation of the Trade Office;

(©) Prepare contracts and instruments to which the Trade Office is a party, and interpret
provisions of contracts covering work performed for the Trade Office by private entities;

(d) Assist in the promulgation of rules governing the activities of the Trade Office;

(e) Prepare comments on proposed legislation concerning the Trade Office;


(f) Assist the Solicitor General in suits involving the Trade Office or its officers or employees, or
act as their principal counsel in all actions taken in their official capacity before judicial or

administrative bodies;

(g) Assist the Trade Office in ensuring that the rights and interests of the Republic of the
Philippines ate protected in the WTO agreement, other multilateral trade, regional, plurilateral
and bilateral trade and investment agreements; and ensure that the counterpart countries comply
with their obligations in the agreements;

(h) Represent the Republic of the Philippines in any dispute settlement before the WTO, other
multilateral trade agreements, bilateral trade agreements or in any other suit involving
international trade; and

(i) Rerform such other functions as may be directed by the Philippine Trade Representative,

SEC. 15. Issuance of Compulsory Processes. — Pursuant to Section 7 of this Act, the Trade
Office, in aid of trade policy formulation and negotiations, shall have the power and authority to
invite or summon by subpoena ad testificandum any public official, private citizen or any other
person to testify before it, or require any person by subpoena duces tecum to produce before it
such records, reports, documents or other materials as it may require. There shall be compliance
within thirty (30) days to the subpoena issued; otherwise any failure to comply is punishable
under Section 24 of this Act.

SEC. 16. Filing of Cases Against Violators. — The Trade Office shall have the authority to file
cases and other appropriate legal actions to further its mandate under Section 7(f) and (g) and
collaborate, if necessary, with relevant government agencies and stakeholders in order to protect
the rights and interests of the Philippines in relation to trade and trade-related investments

SEC. 17. The Multi-Sectoral Advisory Committee, - There is hereby created a Multi-Sectoral
Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the MSAC, The MSAC shall be composed of
representatives of industries, agriculture, labor, small business, service industries, retailers and
consumers and shall be broadly representative of key economic sectors and groups affected by
trade,

Members of the MSAC and Subcommittees shall be appointed by the Philippine Trade
Representative upon the endorsement of various nongovernment organizations and stakeholders.
Members of the MSAC shall serve without either compensation o reimbursement of expenses.

‘The MSAC will meet as needed at the call of the MSAC Chairman or the Philippine Trade
Representative depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade negotiations.

SEC. 18. Duties and Functions of the MSAC. ~ The MSAC shall provide information and advice
to the Philippine Trade Representative on trade and trade-related matters towards the


achievement of the economic goals defined in the 1987 Constitution that are aimed at balancing
the interest of these various stakeholders with respect to:

(a) Negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into a trade and investment
agreement;

(b) The operation, implementation and monitoring of any trade and investment agreement once
entered into:

(c) Trade remedies, dispute settlements, noncompliance and/or violations to any trade and
investment agreement; and

(d) Other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation and administration
of the trade and investment policy.

In addition, the MSAC shall:

(1) Provide technical support to the Philippine Trade Representative by drawing upon the
knowledge and expertise of the members;

(2) Prior to any trade negotiations, participate in the development of the negotiation objectives
and bargaining positions of the country and at the conclusion of negotiation for its trade
agreement entered into, provide a report to the Philippine Trade Representative to form part of
the latter's report to the President and Congress, pursuant to Seetion 6(1) hereof. The report of
the MSAC shall include an assessment and evaluation of whether and to what extent the
agreement promotes Philippine economic interests and achieves the applicable overall and
principal negotiating objectives set forth;

(3) Be allowed to accompany and advise the Philippine delegation in trade and investment
negotiation missions; and

(4) Recommend to the Philippine Trade Representative the participation of private sector
representative to accompany the Philippine delegation in an observer capacity in trade
negotiations.

SEC. 19. Meetings, Agenda and Staff Support. ~ The Philippine Trade Representative shall;

(a) Preside over the MSAC, which will meet as needed at the call of the MSAC Chairman or the
Philippine Trade Representative depending on various factors such as the level of activity of
trade negotiations;

(b) Call for a regular meeting of the MSAC during the first and third quarter of the year and may
call for a special meeting as may be necessary depending on various factors such as the level of
activity of trade negotiations;


(c) Approve and set the agenda for all MSAC meetings; and
(d) Provide the Secretariat and other necessary staff support for MSAC meetings.

SEC. 20. Sub-Sectoral Advisory Committee. ~ There is hereby created a Sub-Sectoral Advisory
Committee, hereinafter referred to as the “SSAC”, to be defined by the Philippine Trade
Representative for trade and investment policy formulation and negotiations

‘The SSAC shall be broadly representative of the key sectors and groups of the economy,
particularly with respect to those sectors and groups which are affected by trade and shall consist
of representatives of industry, the academe, agriculture, fisheries, labor, small business, service
industries, retailers, consumer interest and other stakeholder groups,

Members of the MSAC and the SSAC shall be appointed by the Philippine Trade Representative
upon ‘the endorsement of various nongovernment organizations and stakeholders. Members of
the said Committees shall serve without either compensation or reimbursement of expenses.

The Chairperson of the MSAC and the SSAC shall be elected by its members.

s

. 21. Confidentiality Agreement. — The members of the MSAC and its Subcommittees shall
(a) Enter into a confidentiality agreement with the Trade Office; and

(b) Comply with other requirements established by the Trade Office to protect from unauthorized
disclosure all classified information and all information relating to trade policy formulation and
nego

SEC. 22, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Trade and Investment Matters. ~ ‘There
shall be a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on ‘Trade and Investment Matters.
hereinafter referred to as the “Congressional Oversight Committee”, to which the Trade Offi
shall regularly report to ensure concurrence and authority regarding negotiating mandate and
parameters, and shall comply immediately to any order of the Congressional Oversight
Committee. The Congressional Oversight Committee shall be composed of five (5) Members
from the Senate which shall include the Senate President, the Senate Majority and Minority
Leaders, and five (5) Members from the House of Representatives which shall include the
Speaker of the House and the Majority and Minority Leaders.

The Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the
performance of the Trade Office, including its officials, every three (3) years. An independent
panel composed of experts to be appointed by the Congressional Oversight Committee shall
review the activities and performance of the Trade Office and shall make recommendations,
based on its findings, to the Congressional Oversight Committee. The independent panel of
evaluators shall likewise conduct consultations with stakeholders in the conduct of the review.


SEC. 23. Reportorial Requirements. ~ The Trade Office shall comply with the following:

(a) Report to the Congressional Oversight Committee and to the MSAC, as herein created, any
intention to negotiate any economic treaty, be it bilateral, regional or multilateral. At the
minimum, the report shall contain the subject matter for negotiations and the general objectives
of the government. The Trade Office shall update the Congressional Oversight Committee and
the MSAC on the negotiations, including the offers and counteroffers of all the partie:
also notify the Congressional Oversight Committee and the MSAC of any tentative or final
agreement of the parti

and shall

(b) Report at least twice a year and as may be directed by the President or the Congr
Oversight Committee and as may be requested by the MSAC on the developments of any
international trade and investment negotiation and/or agreement; and

sion

(c) Submit a biannual report directly to the President, the Congressional Oversight Committee
and the MSAC regarding the implementation, operation and effectiveness of any trade and
investment agreement entered into, including the status of ongoing trade and investment
negotiations in which the Philippines participates.

SEC. 24. Administrative Fines and Penalties. —

(a) Noncompliance on the Issuance of Compulsory Processes. ~ Any person or entity who fails to
comply to the subpoena issued by the Trade Office within the thirty (30)-day deadline shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period of not less than six (6) months but not more than
one (1) year or shall be imposed a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos
(PHP100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (PHPS00,000.00), at the
diseretion of the court.

(b) Violation of Confidentiality of Agreement. — Any person or entity who shall violate the
confidentiality of agreement under this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment for a period
of not less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year or shall be imposed a fine of not
less than Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (PHP250,000.00) but not more than Five hundred
thousand pesos (PHP500,000.00), at the discretion of the court, The Trade Office shall have the
power to remove any member who violates this provision from membership in the MSAC.

(c) Other Violations. — After due notice and hearing, the Philippine Trade Representative shall
have the power to impose administrative fines against any person, organization or any other
entity in such amount as it may be reasonable which in no case shall be less than Fifiy thousand
pesos (PHP50,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos (PHP5S,000,000.00) for any violation
of any provision under this Act.

SEC. 25. Transfer of Functions. ~The functions of the Bureau of International Trade Relations
under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Attaches and Permanent Mission to the


WTO, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and United Nations International
Organization (UNIO), and the trade negotiating and policy-making functions of the Tariff and
Related Matters Committee (TRMC) are hereby transferred to the Trade Office.

The foregoing transfer of powers and functions shall include all applicable funds and
appropriations, records, equipment, property and personnel as may be necessary,

SEC. 26. Transitory Provision. — The TRMC created under Section 6 of Executive Order No.
230, Series of 1987, together with the Technical Committee on WTO Matters, shall continue to
function for six (6) months or until the Trade Office is set up, whichever comes earlier, after
which they shall cease to function.

SEC. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations, ~ The Trade Office shall, in consultation with the
DL; the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the NEDA, issue the
rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act sixty (60) days from the
date of appointment of the Philippine Trade Representative.

SEC. 28. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall
be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Bureau of International ‘Trade
Relations under the DTI, Attaches and Permanent Mission to the WTO, the ASEAN, the UNIO,
the TRMC and other concerned agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

parability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to
be in full force and effect.

SEC. 30. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules and regulations and other issuances inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act, including Section 6 of Executive Order No. 230, Series of 1987
and relevant provisions of Executive Order No. 133, Series of 1987 are deemed modified.
revoked or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 31. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,