FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENi>.l:E. 
S. No. IDOl 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 5 provides: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and 
property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment 
by all the people of the blessings of democracy. 
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Millions of Filipinos live and work overseas while continuing to vote and pay taxes in the 
Philippines. They help in the economy and serve as economic, political and cultural 
"ambassadors" of the country. 
Hence, the National Statistics Office should undertake a census of all Filipinos residing 
abroad in a special census and eventually in regular censuses as they, albeit living abroad, 
deserve to receive the same benefits and privileges local residents get. 
This bill seeks to provide for an interim census of Filipinos residing abroad for the 
purpose of eventually including them in regular censuses.' 
• This bill wa·s originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF TI-IE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
- . 
) 
> 
.' f.) 
SENfWOl 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM CENSUS OF FILIPINOS RESIDING ABROAD AND TO 
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REQUIRE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS BE INCLUDED IN REGULAR CENSUSES· 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
a:.,ongress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shal1 be known as the "Census of Filipinos Abroad 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Census of Filipinos Residing Abroad. -
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(A) In General. - The National Statistics Office shal1-
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(1) Take a special census of all Filipinos residing abroad on March within three 
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hundred and sixty (360) days after the passage ofthis Act. 
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(2) Submit the final tabulations under the special census to the President and 
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Congress within nine (9) months after the date specified in paragraph (1), broken down 
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into all appropriate categories, including -
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(a) Filipinos residing abroad affiliated with the Government, and their 
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dependents; and 
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(b) Filipinos residing abroad not affiliated with the Government, and their 
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dependents. 
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(3) The office, for purposes of facilitating the census scheme, shall: 
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(a) Develop counting methodologies; 
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(b) Define the purposes for which any information could or should be use; 
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and 
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( c) Whether Filipinos residing abroad can be included in the regular 
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census for purposes of the appointment of Representatives in Congress and, if so 
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how that should be done. 
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(4) Take appropriate measures-
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(a) To provide for the inclusion of Filipinos residing abroad in the next 
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' regular census and censuses thereafter; and 
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(b) To make use of the information obtained from such censuses for such 
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purposes as, and to maximum extent that, the office considers feasible and 
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appropriate. 
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(B) Interim Report on Special Census. - Not later than ninety (90) days after the 
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enactment of this Act, the National Statistics Office shall submit to the committees of Congress 
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having legislative jurisdiction over the census a report which shall include-
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(1) A summary of how the plans and preparations for carrying out the special 
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census are proceeding; 
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(2) A brief description or outline of how the tabulations in the special census are 
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to be carried out; and 
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(3) Information identifying any experts, consultants, interest groups, or other 
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persons outside the office who were consulted in connection with the special census. 
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(C) Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
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as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
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SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTJON 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provision ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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