REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House Bill No. _'76.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippine National Police, whose mandate is embodied in their motto, “to serve and
protect” means that the national police force, aside from performing traditional police work, is a
police of the people, for the people, and by the people. The civilian nature of the Philippine
National Police provides that the police works at the behest of the Filipino people, not above it.
Recent developments, however, have revealed a troubling pattern of police brutality.

‘The National Police Commission might have had the sagacious prescience for this
downward turn for the Philippine National Police, when back in 2007, through Resolution No.
2007-247, NAPOLCOM established the ippine National Police Human Rights Affairs Office
(PNP-HRAO). PNP-HRAO has had significant accomplishments, but the signs of the times now
call for its further empowerment to extend its scope and establish it as a staturorily enabled human
rights center within the organization.

This proposed legislation seeks to enable a paradigmatic shift from the output-oriented
paradigm of police work into a more outcome-oriented service, which emphasizes the importance of
the supremacy of civilian authority, the rule of law and basic human rights.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

.

IC. ALEJANO
Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House Bit No._7687

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

AN ACT
TO STRENGTHEN THE HUMAN RIGHTS AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL POLICE AND TO FURTHER AMEND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
POLICE UNDER A REORGANIZED DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,” AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title—This Act shall be known as the PNP-HRAO Act of 2018.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.—The State guarantees full respect for human rights. In
furtherance thereof, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure that the Philippine
National Police shall in no circumstance inflict, instigate, or tolerate extrajudicial killings, arbitrary
arrests, any act of torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and that
the PNP commits itself to have the highest regard for human rights and the rule of law in the
exercise of its mandate to maintain peace, public order, and safety.

SEC. 3. A new section is hereby inserted after Section 25, Chapter III of Republic Act No.
6975, to read as follows:

Section 25-A. Establishment, Mandate and Functions of the PNP-HRAO. — There
shall be a Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) in the PNP, which shall develop plans
and programs on human rights to be integrated in policies and operational guidelines of

the National Police. Its functions shall, inter alia, include:

a. Develop plans, policies, and programs to ensure that in the conduct of its
mandate, PNP is compliant with human rights standards provided in treaties
ratified by the Philippines;

b. Undertake periodic review of assistance services of PNP which includes
but not limited to Women’s Desk and/or Women Children Protection Desk to
ensure that these are client centered, culture and gender sensitive;


c. Integrate into PNP efforts and develop systematic implementation of
human rights programs and activities in relation to laws such as Republic Act
No. 7192, “Women in Development and Nation Building Act,” Republic Act No.

9710, “Magna Carta of Women Act of 2009,” and Republic Act No. 9262,

“Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.”

d. Provide policy advisory service to all units of the national police;

. Serve as the clearing house for information campaign on social issues
adopted by the PNP. As such, it is empowered to review, revise or develop a
new campaign material for use of the police;

f. Serve as project management and planning office of the PNP as regards all
cooperation on human right with other government agencies, non-
governmental organizations, professional associations, and international
organizations.

8. Monitor the conduct of intemal investigation of human rights violations
involving its PNP personnel;

h, Establish and maintain linkages with concerned agencies and non-
governmental organizations with programs on human rights, including
investigative bodies handling human rights complaints against PNP

personnel; and

i. Perform other duties as recommended or directed by the Chief PNP

SEC. 4. Composition and Member Qualifications.—The HRAO shall be headed by the
Chief Human Rights Director with the support of two (2) Deputy Human Rights Directors, one of
whom shall have the rank of Police Superintendent, and the other shall be civi \; Provided that
the Head of HRAO shall be a civilian who, at the time of appointment, must not be less than forty
(40) years old, must have a minimum of five (5) years direct supervisory experience in programme
or project management, and must either be a member of the Philippine Bar in good standing, or
have a postgraduate degree in human rights, national security, social science, or related disciplines.

‘The HRAO shall have three (3) divisions, namely: (a) Legal, Complaints and Investigation;
(b) Research, Training and Education; and (c) Policy and Advocacy.

SEC. 5. Appropriations.—Funding requirements for all programs shall be charged to the
funds of the National Treasury not otherwise unappropriated. Thereafter, funding requirements
shall be included in annual appropriations of the Philippine National Police.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations.—Within ninety (90) days from the approval
of this Act, the PNP, with the assistance of the Department of Justice, Commission on Human
Rights, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, Philippine Commission on Women, and Philippine


Human Rights Committee shall adopt and issue the rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause—A\l laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, presidential
proclamations, letters of implementation, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause.—If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,