FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. m
9
 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Numerous cases of missing persons in the country have been recorded 
and this has become a major problem in the country. To date, a large percentage 
of these cases were not resolved. 
In order to expedite the resolution of the cases on missing persons and to 
protect the rights of the Filipino people, it is strongly recommended that a Missing 
Persons Council be created. 
The Missing Persons Council shall, among others, formulate and adopt 
plans, programs and measures to prevent and combat the cases of missing 
persons in the country, investigate such cases and direct the speedy prosecution 
of all persons liable for persons missing and monitor the progress of their cases 
safety, approval of this bill is sincerely sought. 
In view of the foregoing considerations and in order to ensure public 
MANNY ILLAR 
1 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT CREATING THE MISSING PERSONS COUNCIL, PRESCRIBING 
ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled. 
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Missing Persons Council Act of 
2007." 
Section 2. Creation. Missing Persons Council, hereinafter referred to, for 
brevity, as the "Council," is hereby created which shall be under the control and 
supervision of the Department of Justice. 
Section 3. Composition. The Council shall be composed of the following: 
(1) the Secretary of Justice, who shall be its chairperson; 
(2) the Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, who shall be its 
(3) the Chief of the Philippine National Police; 
(4) the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation; 
(5) Secretary of the Social welfare and Development, as its other 
Vice Chairperson; 
members. 
Section 4. Functions of the Council. - In pursuit of its mandate in the 
previous Section, the Council shall have the following functions with due regard 
for the rights of the people as mandated by the Constitution and pertinent laws: 
1. Formulate and adopt plans, programs and measures to prevent and 
2. Coordinate all national efforts to suppress and eradicate cases of 
missing persons in the country and mobilize the entire nation against 
such incidents: 
combat the cases of missing persons in the country; 
3. Direct the speedy investigation and prosecution of all persons accused 
or responsible for persons missing and monitor the progress of their 
cases; 
2 


4. To conduct its own investigation of missing persons motu propio or 
5. To monitor the investigations conducted by the PNP and NBI; 
6. Establish and maintain comprehensive data-base information systems 
on the cases of missing persons including their identities and other 
interested parties; 
upon the petition of interested parties; 
7. Grant monetary rewards and other incentives to informers who give vital 
information leading to the apprehension, arrest, prosecution, and 
conviction of person or persons who are liable; 
8. Request the Supreme Court to designate specific divisions of the Court 
of Appeals and regional trial courts in Manila, Cebu City and Cagayan 
de Oro City, as the case maybe, to handle all cases involving missing 
persons; 
In the performance of its functions and discharge of its duties, the Council 
is authorized to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum for the appearance 
of witnesses and the production of records, books and documents before it. It 
may call upon any agency, office, agency or instrumentality of the National 
Government and local government units for assistance. This authority is likewise 
conferred upon the provincial offices as may be established. 
Section 5. Organizational Support. The Council shall have a technical staff 
which shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be assisted by a 
Deputy Executive Director. The Technical staff shall be composed of such 
personnel as may be necessary to enable the Council to effectively perform its 
powers and functions. 
Section 6. Provincial Offices. When the conditions in any province so 
warrant, the Council may establish provincial offices which shall exercise such 
powers and perform such functions as may be delegated to it by the Council. 
Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to initially implement 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the 
Department of Justice. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
Section 8. Appropriations. Separability Clause. If any provision or part 
hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the 
provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly. 
Section 10. Effectivity. . This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3