NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 1600
(In substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 139, 245 and 442)
BILLS &
Submitted by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and 
Gender Equality, and Finance, with Senators Hontiveros, Legarda and 
Villar M. as authors.
AN ACT
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL 
ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, OR SEX 
CHARACTERISTICS (SOGIESC) AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "SOGIESC Equality
Act".
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the fundamental right of
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every person, regardless of sex, age, class, status, ethnicity, color, disability,
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religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or
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sex characteristics (hereinafter referred as "SOGIESC"), to be free from any form of
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discrimination. It shall therefore intensify its efforts to fulfill its duties under the
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Equal Protection Clause and the Bill of Rights provisions of the Philippine
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Constitution, and international and domestic laws to respect, protect, and fulfill the
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rights and dignity of every individual.


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Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to address all forms of
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discrimination, marginalization and violence on the basis of SOGIESC, and to
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promote human dignity as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration on
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Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
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Against Women, particularly the General Recommendation No. 28 on Non-
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discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Convention on the
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Rights of the Child, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International
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Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and all other relevant and
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universally accepted human rights instruments and other international conventions
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to which the Philippines is a signatory.
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The State shall likewise provide for mechanisms to offset or address
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SOGIESC-based disadvantages or limitations, as a result of which persons of diverse
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SOGIESC are denied or restricted in the recognition and protection of their rights
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and in their access to and enjoyment of opportunities, benefits, or privileges
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otherwise available to other persons. The State shall ensure reasonable
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accommodation in the interpretation of its policies and programs, so that household
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consisting of couples of diverse SOGIESC are not excluded from economic assistance
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programs and social protection instruments.
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Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to disturb the exercise of parental
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authority vested on the parent or guardian by the Family Code of the Philippines,
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provided that such exercise shall be subject to the limitations provided for by law
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and the rights and the best interests of the child.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
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defined as follows:
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A. Bisexuai refers to a person who has the capacity to form physical.


romantic, and/or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or 
to those of another gender;
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B. Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age, or eighteen 
years of age and older but who is incapable of taking care of oneself as 
defined under Republic Act No. 7610, as amended;
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Discrimination refers to any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or 
preference which is based on any ground such as sex or SOGIESC, and 
which has the purpose or effect, whether direct or indirect, of nullifying 
or impairing the recognition, access to, enjoyment, or exercise by all 
persons on an equal footing of all rights and freedoms. The actual sex 
or SOGIESC of the person subjected to discrimination shall not be 
relevant for the purpose of determining whether an act of 
discrimination has been committed;
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Direct Discrimination occurs where a person is treated less favorably 
than another person in the same or comparable circumstances on the 
ground of their SOGIESC.
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Indirect Discrimination occurs where an apparently neutral condition or 
requirement is imposed which has the effect of disadvantaging a 
person of diverse SOGIESC and which is not reasonable in the 
circumstances.
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D. Gay refers to a person who identifies himself as a man and whose 
enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attractions are to people 
who also indentifies themselves as men;


Gender refers to a set of socially ascribed characeristics, norms, roles, 
attitudes, values and expectations identifying the social behavior of 
men and women, and the relations between them;
Gender Expression refers to the way a person communicates gender 
identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, communication 
or speech pattern, or body characteristics;
Gender Identity refers to a person's innermost concept of self as man, 
woman, or another non-binary identity which may or may not 
correspond with their sex or gender assigned at birth;
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H. Harassment refers to such unwanted conduct, pattern of conduct, act, 
or series of acts which tend to annoy, insult, bully, demean, offend, 
threaten, intimidate, alarm, or create a hostile or emotionally 
distressing environment, or put a person or group of persons in fear of 
their safety;
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Hate C/7/77es refer to criminal offenses committed against a person or a 
group of persons, or against such targeted person's or group's honor 
or property, motivated in whole or in part by the offender's bias 
against SOGIESC;
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Intersex refers to people born with the sex characteristics (including 
genitals, gonads and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical 
binary notions of male or female bodies, all of which are natural bodily 
variations along a spectrum;
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K. Lesbian refers to a person who identifies herself as a woman and


whose consistent physical, romantic, and/or emotional attractions are 
to people who also self-identify as women;
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L. Marginalization refers to a condition where a whole category of people 
is excluded from useful and meaningful participation in political, 
economic, social, and cultural life;
M. 
Persons of Diverse SOGIESC refer to the collective of persons who are
man and woman homosexuals (gays and lesbians, respectively), 
bisexual, transgender, and intersex, among others;
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N. Reasonable Accommodation means necessary and appropriate 
modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or 
undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons 
of diverse SOGIESC, the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with 
others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
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0. Sex refers to the civil status of a person acquired by birth having a 
system of reproduction corresponding to that belonging to either male, 
female or intersex;
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Sex Characteristics refers to a person's physical traits that indicate their 
biological sex, such as chromosomes, external genitalia, gonads, 
hormones, and internal reproductive organs, traits present at birth are 
called primary sex characteristics, whereas those that develop during 
puberty are called secondary sex characteristics;
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Sexual Orientation refers to the direction of emotional, sexual 
attraction, or conduct towards people of the same gender (homosexual


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orientation) or towards people of more than one gender (bisexual 
orientation), or towards people of different gender (heterosexual 
orientation) or to the absence of sexual orientation (asexual 
attraction);
R. Stigma refers to the dynamic devaluation and dehumanization of an 
individual in the eyes of others which may be based on attributes that 
are arbitrarily defined by others as discreditable or unworthy, and 
which result in discrimination when acted upon; and
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Transgender refers to a person whose gender identity does not align 
with the sex or gender assigned at birth, frequently abbreviated to 
"Trans".
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SEC. 4. Communities Vuinerabie to Discrimination and Abuse on the Basis of
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SOGIESC. - This Act seeks to protect individuals and communities that are at a
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greater risk of experiencing human rights violations on the basis of SOGIESC,
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including individuals and communities of diverse SOGIESC who are children, young,
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poor, differently abled, of different ethnic background, or cultural background, and
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of various religious belief.
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For this purpose, discrimination on the grounds of a person's SOGIESC
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intersecting or compounded by other grounds and factors such as age, racial or
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ethnic origin, religious belief or activity, political inclination or conviction, social class,
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economic status, marital or relationship status, disability, HIV status, health status or
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medical history, language, physical features, or other status shall be considered a
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discriminatory practice.
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SEC. 5. Discriminatory Practices. - It shall be unlawful for any person, natural


1 or juridical, to engage in discrimination as defined in this Act, which shall include:
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A. Including SOGIESC, as well as the mandatory disclosure of one's SOGIESC, in
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the criteria for hiring, promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment,
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reassignment, dismissal of workers, and other human resource movement
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and action, performance review, and in the determination of employee
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compensation, access to career development opportunities, training, and
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other learning and development interventions, incentives, privileges, benefits
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or allowances, and other terms and conditions of employment: Provided, that
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this provision shall apply to employment and skills training in both the private
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and public sectors, including military, police, and other similar services:
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Provided further, that this prohibition shall likewise apply to the contracting
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and engaging of the services of juridical persons; Provided finally, that
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nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing employers or
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contractors from setting criteria or standards germane to the work involved
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and the services required.
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B. Refusing admission or expelling a person from any educational or training
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institution open to the general public, including police and military academies
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or training institutions, on the basis of SOGIESC, including discriminating
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against a student or trainee due to the SOGIESC of the student's parents or
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guardian, court-appointed or otherwise; Provided, that nothing in this section
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shall be construed as violating the right of these institutions to academic and
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religious freedom subject to legitimate restrictions provided by the
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Constitution and other laws; Provided further, that in all cases, the rights and
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best interests of the child shall be paramount.


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C. Imposing disciplinary sanctions, penalties harsher than customary or similar
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punishments, requirements, restrictions or prohibitions that infringe on the
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rights of the students on the basis of SOGIESC, including discriminating
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against a student or trainee due to the SOGIESC of the student's parents or
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guardian, court-appointed or otherwise; Provided, that nothing in this section
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shall be construed as violating the right of these institutions to academic and
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religious freedom subject to legitimate restrictions provided by the
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Constitution and other laws; Provided further, that in all cases, the rights best
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interests of the child shall be paramount;
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D. Refusing or revoking the accreditation, formal recognition, registration or plan
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to organize of any organization, group, political party, institution, or
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establishment solely on the basis of the SOGIESC of their members or of their
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target constituencies;
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E. Denying a person access to emergency and/or necessary health services open
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to the general public on the basis of such person's SOGIESC;
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F. Subjecting a person deprived of liberty to extortion, physical, verbal abuse, or
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sexual abuse, and cruel and degrading punishment, because of their
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SOGIESC;
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G. Subjecting or forcing a child to undertake any medical or psychological
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examination or procedures, invasive or non-invasive, western or traditional, to
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determine or alter, or both, their SOGIESC;
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H. Preventing a child under parental authority, custody, or guardianship,
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whether court appointment or otherwise, from exhibiting or expressing one's
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sexual orientation or gender identity; or manifesting rejection of such child's


SOGIESC by inflicting or threatening to inflict physical harm or emotional 
suffering against the child through intimidation, harassment, public ridicule or 
humiliation, repeated verbal abuse, or committing any act or omission 
prejudicial to the welfare and interest of the child as a result of the bias 
against the SOGIESC of the child;
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I. Denying access to public services to any person on the basis of SOGIESC;
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J. Denying an application for or revoking a professional or other similar kind of
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license, clearance, certification, or any other similar document, issued by the
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government due to the applicant's SOGIESC;
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K. Denying a person access to or the use of establishments, facilities, utilities, or
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services, including housing, open to the general public on the basis of
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SOGIESC: Provided, that the act of giving inferior accommodations or services
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shall be considered a denial of access or use of such facility or service;
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Subjecting any person or groups to unwarranted investigatory activities on 
the basis of their SOGIESC or presumptions about their SOGIESC, including 
the conduct of unnecessary and degrading searches to determine whether 
such person or group is engaged in an activity presumed to be unlawful, 
immoral, or socially unacceptable. Provided, that nothing in this bill shall 
prevent the conduct of legitimate law enforcement activities or operations;
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SEC. 6. Privaq^ Rights. - No person shall be burdened, prejudiced, or
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prosecuted by reason of the exercise of the right to personal privacy, unless it can
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be shown that there is a compelling reason or interest justifying the infringement of
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said constitutional right, and there is no other less restrictive means to achieve said


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reason or interest.
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SEC. 7. Administrative Sanctions. - Refusal of a government official or
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employee or those involved in the enforcement of law whose duty it is to implement
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any part of this act, investigate, prosecute, or otherwise act on a complaint for a
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violation of this Act or causing unreasonable delay to perform such a duty without a
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valid ground shall constitute gross negligence on the part of the official who shall
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suffer the appropriate penalty under civil service laws, rules and regulations.
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SEC. 8. Penalties. - Discriminatory practices under Section 5 of this Act shall be
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penalized as follows:
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(a) For acts falling under Section 5 (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Act, the penalty
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shall be a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php
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100,000.00), but not more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php
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250,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than one year, but not more than
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six (6) years, subject to the discretion of the court;
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(b) For acts falling under Section 5 (e ) of this Act, the penalty shall be a fine of
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not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00), but not more
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than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000.00), or imprisonment of
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not less than six months, but not more than two (2) years and four (4)
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months, or both at the discretion of the court; Provided, that in the event of
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death or permanent disability of the patient-complainant proceeding from the
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denial of medical treatment, the maximum penalty shall be imposed; Provided
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further, that if the discriminatory act is committed by a physician, such shall
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also be ground for the suspension or revocation of their license or registration
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certificate;
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(c) For acts under Section 5(f) of this Act, the penalty shall be a fine of not less
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than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00), but not more than Two
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Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 250,000.00), and imprisonment of not
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iess than one year, but not more than six (6) years. Provided, that this is
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without prejudice to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9745 or the Anti-
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Torture Act, which designates torture as a separate and independent crime;
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(d)For acts falling under Section 5(g), the penaity shail be a fine of Ten
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Thousand Pesos or imprisonment of eleven (11) to thirty (30) days. Provided,
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that if the act is committed by a medical practitioner, such shali aiso be
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ground for the suspension or revocation of their registration certificate;
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(e) For acts faliing under Section(h), the same shail be shall be penalized with the
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same penalty as the prohibited act/s under Republic Act No. 7610 or the
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"Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination
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Act" to which they may are anaiogous.
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(f) For ali other acts under Section 5-
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The first offense shali be punished by a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 
5,000.00) and community service of tweive (12) hours inciusive of 
attendance to a Gender Sensitivity Seminar to be conducted by the 
Commission on Human Rights;
The second offense shaii be punished by a fine of Fifteen Thousand Pesos 
(PhP 15,000.00) or imprisonment of eleven (11) to thirty (30) days;
The third offense shali be punished by a fine of Thirty Thousand Pesos 
(PhP 30,000.00) and imprisonment of one month and one day (1 month 
and 1 day) to six (6) months.
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If the discriminatory practice is committed by a corporation, trust, firm,
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partnership, association or other entities, the penalty of a fine of not less than Two
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Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 250,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred
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Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) years


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but not more than twelve (12) years, subject to the discretion of the court, shall be
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imposed upon the guilty officials, officers, or employees without prejudice to the
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civil liabilities of the entity arising from the criminal offense; Provided that, in case
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of repeated commission of discriminatory practices, the offender's license to
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operate shall be revoked.
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Nothing in this Act shall preclude the victim from instituting a separate and
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independent action for damages and other affirmative reliefs.
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The penalties provided under this Sec shall be without prejudice to the imposition of
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administrative liability for government officials and employees.
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Any action arising from the violation of the provisions of this Act shall prescribe in
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three (3) years.
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Acts that are legitimate and long-standing expressions of indigenous culture and
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tradition shall not be penalized, provided that they do not violate the human rights
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of others.
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SEC. 9. Special Aggravating Circumstance. - if any civil, criminal, or
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administrative offense, not falling under this Act, is committed and proven to be
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motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate based on SOGIESC, said offense shall be
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aggravated and the corresponding penalty provided thereto shall be imposed in its
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maximum.
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SEC. 10. Redress Mechanisms for SOGIE-reiated cases.
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Inclusion of SOGIE Concerns in AH Police Station Activities and 
Services. - The Women and Children's Desks now existing in all police
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in
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stations shall be renamed as Women, Children and Persons of Diverse 
SOGIESC Protection Desk, which shall also act on and attend to 
complaints/cases covered by this Act. In this regard, police handling 
said desks shall undergo appropriate trainings with human rights-based 
approach to include among others gender sensitivity and awareness in 
proper terminology and in the dynamics of relationships existing 
between persons of diverse SOGIESC as applied in hate crime 
investigations, case handlings, and case documentations.
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Complainant-minors can be represented by parents, guardians, or a 
non-government organization of good standing and reputation.
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B. Role of the Civil Service Commission - In appropriate cases, the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC) shall, by regulation, require government 
establishments, including government-owned and controlled 
corporations and financial institutions to establish a grievance 
mechanism to address discriminatory practices in the workplace and in 
the provision of services to the public. For this purpose, failure or delay 
in establishing a grievance mechanism shall be a ground for the 
imposition of an administrative fine as may be prescribed by the CSC.
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Roie of the Department of Labor and Employment - In appropriate 
cases, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall, by 
regulation, require private establishments to establish a grievance 
mechanism to address discriminatory practices committed in the 
workplace and in the provision of services to the public. For this 
purpose, failure or delay in establishing a grievance mechanism shall 
be a ground for the imposition of an administrative fine as may be 
prescribed by the DOLE.
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D. Role of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). - The CHR shall 
investigate and recommend the filing of a complaint against any 
person violating this Act. If the CHR has reasonable cause to believe 
that any person or group of persons is committing acts penalized in 
Section 5 of this Act, the CHR shall recommend a legal action in the 
appropriate prosecutor's office or court.
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The CHR shall also direct the officer concerned to take appropriate 
action against a public officer or employee at fault or who neglects to 
perform an act or discharge a duty required under this Act, and 
recommend the revocation of license, removal from office or 
employment, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and 
ensure compliance therewith, the refusal or delay in the compliance 
with the directive of the chr, without valid cause, to revoke the license, 
remove, suspend, demote, fine, censure, or prosecute an officer or 
employee who is at fault, or who neglects to perform an act or 
discharge a duty required under this Act, shall be a ground for 
disciplinary action against said officer.
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The CHR shall also document cases of discrimination on the basis of 
SOGIESC and shall include these documented cases in its annual 
human rights report. The Commission shall actively provide 
recommendations to different branches of government on how to 
address and eliminate discrimination on the basis of SOGIESC.
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SEC. 11. Government Programs and Policies. - The State shall pursue
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initiatives and programs that seek to establish and maintain an environment free of
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stigma and discrimination. It shall direct the machinery and resources of the State to
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promote non-discrimination and shall encourage other sectors of the society to
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engage and participate in these efforts.
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Towards this end, the Council, shall, by rules and regulations, develop,
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prescribe and administer incentive and award scheme to encourage public and
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private establishments to provide programs that defend the human rights of persons
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of diverse SOGIESC and contribute to their empowerment.
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The State shall ensure the implementation of the following programs:
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Social Protection Programs (SPP). - The national government shall 
ensure that communities vulnerable to stigma and discrimination on 
the basis of SOGIESC are integrated into government-run social 
protection programs.
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B. Diversity and Inclusion Programs and Trainings (DIPT). - All 
government agencies, including government-owned and controlled 
corporations, local government units (LGUs), private companies, public 
and private educational institutions, and other entities, whether public 
or private, shall establish diversity and inclusion programs and shall 
endeavor to provide or conduct trainings for their staff, employees, 
students and trainees, and constituents on human rights, gender 
sensitivity and awareness, and sensitization on the issue of violence 
and abuse to ensure that human rights violations and violence on the 
basis of SOGIESC are prevented. Such institutions may incorporate 
these activities into existing gender sensitivity and development 
training programs or school curricula. Finally, the above-listed 
agencies, companies and institutions shall create an internal redress 
mechanism to address cases of discrimination and develop
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administrative remedies or sanctions for such cases.
C. Information and Education Campaign (lEC). - All government agencies 
and instrumentalities are mandated to develop and implement 
SOGIESC-specific gender sensitivity education and information 
dissemination. They shall endeavor to produce and publish information 
and education campaign materials on gender and human rights.
SEC. 12. Empowering Portrayai of Persons of Diverse SOGIESC in Media. - 
The positive and empowering portrayal of persons of diverse SOGIESC by media 
shall be encouraged to counter existing stereotypes and misconceptions that often 
lead to discriminatory practices. Towards this end, incentive and award scheme shall 
be provided to programs that defend the human rights of persons of diverse 
SOGIESC and contribute to their empowerment, pursuant to Sec. 11 of this Act.
SEC. 13. SOGIESC Congressional Oversight Committee. - For the effective 
implementation of this Act, there shall be created a Congressional Oversight 
Committee, hereinafter referred to as the SOGIESC Equality Congressional Oversight 
Committee (SECOC), within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act. The 
SECOC shall be composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and the House 
of Representatives, which shall include the Chair of the Senate Committees on 
Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, and of Justice and Human 
Rights, and the Chair of the House of Representatives Committees on Women and 
Gender Equality, and of Human Rights. The members from the Senate and the 
House of Representatives shall be appointed by the Senate President and the 
Speaker, respectively, with at least one (1) member representing the minority.
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The SECOC shall be chaired jointly by the Chair of the Senate Committee on
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Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and the House Committee
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on Women and Gender Equality. The position of Vice-Chair of the SECOC shall be
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jointly held by the Chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and
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the House Committee on Human Rights. The Secretariat of the SECOC shall come
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from the Secretariat personnel of the Senate and the House of Representatives
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concerned.
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The SECOC shall monitor the compliance of public institutions to the
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provisions of this Act. Within three (3) years after the enactment of this Act, the
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SECOC shall conduct an audit of national and local policies that discriminate on the
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basis of SOGIESC, and shall submit a report to Congress, the Office of the President,
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and the Supreme Court, on this subject.
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The SECOC shall cease to exist ten years after its organization.
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SEC. 14. Inter-Agency Council on SOGIESC Equality. - In pursuance of the
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abovementioned government programs and policies, there is hereby established an
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Inter-agency Council on SOGIESC Equality, hereinafter known as the Council, which
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shall be composed of the following agencies and organizations:
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A. 
Commission on Human Rights (CHR);
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B. 
Department of Justice (DOJ);
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C. 
Civil Service Commission (CSC);
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D. 
Philippine National Police (PNP);
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E. 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT);
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F. 
National Youth Commission (NYC);
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G. 
Philippine Commission on Women (PCW);
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H. 
Commission on Population (POPCOM);
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I. 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
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J. 
Department of Education (DepEd);
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K. 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
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L. 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);
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Department of Health (DOH);
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and
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At least three (3) representatives from Civil Society Organizations 
(CSOs) with proven expertise and track record on SOGIESC concerns.
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The Chair of the CHR shall be the permanent Chair of the Council, and the
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Secretary of Justice as its permanent Vice-Chair. The Council members may
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designate their permanent representative who shall have a rank not lower than an
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Assistant Secretary or its equivalent, and shall receive emoluments as may be
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determined by the Council in accordance with existing budget and accounting rules
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and regulations.
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The CSOs forming part of the Council shall be identified by the government
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agency representatives of the Council. The representatives of the CSOs shall serve
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for a term of three (3) years renewable at the discretion of the Chair upon
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recommendation of the council for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.
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The Council shall meet at least once every quarter. The presence of the Chair
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or the Vice-Chair of the Council, and at least ten (10) other representatives of the
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Council members shall constitute a quorum to do business, and a majority vote of
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those present shall be sufficient to pass resolutions or render decisions.
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SEC. 15. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the
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following powers and functions:
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A. Develop DIPTs and lECs for the national government;
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B. Provide overall direction to the DIPTs, and lECs of the national
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government, and guidance and technical assistance to agencies in the 
implementation of the DIPTs, lECs, and SPPs in their respective 
agencies;
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C. Encourage LGUs to issue ordinances promoting DIPTs and lECs within 
their respective jurisdictions;
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D. Ensure that branches, departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and 
instrumentalities of the government, including GOCCs, SUCs and LGUs, 
undertake appropriate measures, subject to existing laws, rules and 
issuances, relative to the violation of non-discrimination laws or 
issuances, and/or filing of appropriate action against erring persons;
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13
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E. Establish a system for monitoring the progress of branches, 
departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the 
government, including GOCCs, SUCs and LGUs, in the implementation 
of DIPTs, lECs and SSPs;
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16 
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F. Enlist the support and assistance of other government agencies and 
instrumentalities in the attainment of the objectives of Sec. 10 of this 
Act; and
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G. Submit to the SEOC regular reports on the progress of the 
implementation of this Act, highlighting the impact thereof on the 
status and human rights of persons of diverse SOGIESC and 
recommend possible legislation to address gaps in existing laws.
22 
SEC. 16. Secretariat to the Council. - The Commission on Human Rights shall
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establish the necessary Secretariat for the Council consisting of personnel with the
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1 
necessary technical expertise and capacity that shall be conferred permanent
2 
appointments, subject to civil service rules and regulations. The Secretariat shall be
3 
headed by an Executive Director who shall be under the direct supervision of the
4 
Chair of the Council.
5 
The secretariat shall perform the following functions:
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7
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9
10
11
12
13
14
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A. 
Coordinate and manage the day-to-day affairs of the Council;
B. 
Assist in the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of DIPTs, and 
lECs;
C. 
Provide technical assistance, support and advisory services to the 
Council and its external partners;
D. 
Assist the Council in identifying and building internal and external 
networks and partnerships;
E. 
Coordinate and support the efforts of the Council and its members to 
mobilize resources; and
F. 
Provide administrative support to the Council.
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SEC. 17. Appropriations. - Such amounts as may be necessary for the
17 
implementation of this Act shall be indicated under the annual General
18 
Appropriations Act (GAA). National and local government agencies shall be
19 
authorized to utilize their mandatory gender and development (GAD) budget. In
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addition, LGUs may also use their mandatory twenty percent (20%) allocation of the
21 
annual internal revenue allotments for local development projects as provided under
22 
SSection 287 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government
23 
Code of 1991".
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SEC. 18. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the Council shall promulgate the necessary rules and
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1 
regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. Thereafter,
2 
this act shall be fully implemented with or without the IRR.
3 
SEC. 19. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
4 
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be
5 
affected thereby.
6 
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
7 
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
8 
accordingly.
9 
SEC. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
10 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
11 
Approved,
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