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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse Bui no. 1379

Introduced by AKO BICOL REPRESENTATIVE
RAUL ANGELO “JIL” D. BONGALON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine National Police Academy was created through Presidential
Decree 1184 with the aim of professionalizing the members of the then
Integrated National Police. Consequently, recognizing its critical role in public
safety administration, Presidential Decree 1780, known as the Philippine
National Police Academy Charter 1981, was enacted declaring as the premier
police educational institution, and granting powers necessary to carry out its
functions, under Philippine Constabulary — integrated National Police (PC-INP).

Following the abolishment of PC-INP in 1991, the control and supervision
of the PNPA was transferred to the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC)
pursuant to Republic Act Number 6975. Subsequently in 2019, the PNPA was
transferred under the administrative control and supervision of the Office of the
Chief, PNP.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the Philippine National Police shall be
national in scope and civilian in character.

For 40 years, the Philippine National Police Academy has been carrying
out its function to train and educate commissioned officers of Philippine National
Police, Bureau of Fire and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, with its
motto, “To Learn Today, To Lead Tomorrow”, anchoring its existence and powers
from its Academic Charter — Presidential Decree 1780.

Pursuing the aspirations and visions of the late President Ferdinand E.
Marcos Sr., it is imperative to revisit the PNPA Charter of 1981 to be responsive


to the current challenges and demands of public safety and social defense.
Itis high time to push for much- needed organizational reform as well as the
enhancement of it curriculum, training and education, infrastructure, and
logistical capability toward the modernization of the Academy, making it at par
with other police academies abroad.

With these functions, rights, and responsibilities of the Academy as part
of its commitment to the national government to produce competent officers
imbued with management leadership qualities and skills in public safety, social
defense and internal security and with utmost respect to human rights, will be
clearly defined and explained that it will be sufficient in itself as basis for
asserting its right.

Emphasizing the mandates of the 1987 Constitution for the state to protect
and promote the right of the alll citizens to quality education, maintenance of
peace and order, protection of life, liberty, property and, promotion of the general
welfare as essential for the enjoyment of the blessing of democracy, and shall
give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports to
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total
human liberation and development, this proposed bill seeks to strengthen the
existing Academic Charter of the PNPA, to fulfill its mandate to produce future
leaders of the public safety bureaus of the country.

To ensure quality of training and education, PNPA shall have the right to
determine its policies, plans and programs, academic and otherwise,
unhampered by external control, pressure or influence, as part of its
constitutional guaranteed right to academic freedom.

The passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought.



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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HotsE pitt No. 7379

Introduced by AKO BICOL REPRESENTATIVE
RAUL ANGELO “JIL” D. BONGALON

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE CHARTER OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
ACADEMY AS PROVIDED UNDER PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1780
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 PNPA
CHARTER OF 2023”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect
and promote the right of all citizens to quality education. The State shall further
promote peace and order, ensure public safety and strengthen local government
capability aimed toward the effective delivery of the basic services to the citizenry
in the establishment of the Philippine National Police through Republic Act 6975,
otherwise known as DILG Act of 1990.

Towards this end, it is the policy of the State to strengthen the Philippine
National Police Academy, as the premier institution for police education and the
primary source for commissionship of police lieutenants, and jail and fire
inspectors.

SECTION 3. Purpose of the Academy. — The PNPA is a Special Public
Higher Educational Institution (SPHEl) organized for the purpose of offering
training and education in pursuance of the mandates of the Tri-Bureau under


the Department of the Interior and Local Government namely the Philippine
National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Fire
Protection, to primarily provide advanced instructions and _ professional
specialized trainings in public safety, social defense, and other relevant fields of
study.

For purposes of this Act, the Academy shall be under the direct supervision
of the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local
Government.

The Academy shall harness the expertise and full potential of the members
of its community to contribute to national development in the areas of public
safety and social defense.

The Academy shall establish a Research and Extension Services, which
shall be responsible in the identification of key concerns, formulation of
responsive policies and recommendations to the Congress and the President of
the Philippines, through the Department of the Interior and Local Government,
on public safety and social defense issues.

SECTION 4. Academic Freedom. - The Academy has the right and
responsibility to exercise academic freedom pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5
of Article XIV of the Constitution.

SECTION 5. Commitment to Academic Excellence and Good
Governance. ~ The Academy has the responsibility to maintain and enhance its
high training and academic standards in the performance of its functions of
instruction, research and extension, public safety, social defense, and internal
security.

Towards this end, it shall exclusively determine its plans, policies,
programs, curricula, and standards of teaching and training, and on the basis
of such determination, the Academy shall recommend its annual budget to the
Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The Academy shall enjoy autonomy to build infrastructure, acquire
necessary equipment, reorganize administrative structures, provide for the
necessary personnel complement, establish its own Corps of Professors and
Instructors, provide adequate salaries, grants and benefits, human resource
and development programs and other incentives that will motivate its personnel
and Corps of Professors and Instructors geared towards the maintenance of
efficient and effective administration and preservation of the high standards
of the Academy. The Academy shall likewise determine the yearly quota and the
qualifications of cadets who will be admitted to the Cadetship Program, subject
to the approval of the Secretary, DILG.


SECTION 6. Board of Trustees. — The governing board of PNPA shall be
the Board of Trustees, which shall be chaired by the Secretary of the Department
of the Interior and Local Government and and co-chaired by the Chiefs, of the
Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and
Bureau of Fire Protection, with the following as members:

SECTION 7. Powers and Duties of Trustee:

Chairman, CHED;
Vice Chair, NAPOLCOM;

Chairman, Committee on Higher and Technical Education, HOR
Chairman, Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture, Senate
Chairman, Committee on Public Order and Safety, HOR

Chairman, Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs,
Senate

Chairman, Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association,
Inc. (PNPAAAI)

the Board shall have the

following powers and duties, such as but not limited to:

a.

Promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared
State policies on education, other pertinent provisions of the
Constitution on education and public safety, and the policies,
standards, and functions of SPHEI;

Approve the curricula, instructional programs, and rules on student
discipline drawn by the Academic Council and Academic Freedom
Council;

Deliberate the qualification standards for nominees as
recommended by the Secretary, DILG;

Fix and adjust the salaries of Corps of Professors and Instructors,
administrative officials, and employees, subject to the provisions of
the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and
other pertinent budget and compensation laws governing hours of
service, and such other duties and conditions as it may deem
proper; grant them, at its discretion, leaves under such regulations
as it may promulgate, any provision of existing law to the contrary
notwithstanding and remove them for cause in accordance with the
requirements of due process of law;

Receive and appropriate sums as may be provided by law for the
support of the PNPA, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its
discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the
PNPA;

Set the policies on admission and graduation of Cadets;


g. Develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building
with appropriate institutions and agencies, whether public, private,
local or foreign, and appoint experts or specialists as consultants,
part-time, visiting or exchange professors, scholars or researcher,
as the case may be;

h. Adopt modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge for
the promotion of greater access to education such as the use of
information technology, dual training system, open distance
learning, and community laboratory;

i, Establish policy guidelines and procedures for participative and
transparent decision-making within the PNPA; and

j. Promulgate rules and regulations, as may be necessary, to carry out
the purposes and functions of PNPA.

SECTION 8. PNPA Leadership. - The Academy shall be headed by a
Director with the rank of Police Lieutenant General, who shall be assisted by a
Deputy Director with the rank of Police Major General. The Academy shall have
a Dean of Academics, Chief of Staff, and a Commandant of Cadets, with the rank
of Police Brigadier General.

‘The Director shall preferably be an alumnus of the PNPA’s undergraduate
degree program who has meritoriously excelled in a chosen field of endeavor in
an executive or managerial position in public safety, may it be in the private
or government sector. The person must possess a graduate degree in any public
safety field of specialization from a recognized institution.

‘The Director of PNPA, Dean of Academics, and Commandant of Cadets
shall not be relieved from their posts unless due to retirement, resignation,
incapacity or dismissal from the service. This is to safeguard the exercise of
academic freedom and ensure the independence of the Academy. This likewise
ensures the continuity of the plans, programs and policies of the Academy that
are geared towards excellence, dedication, and exemplary public service.

SECTION 9. Qualification Standards of PNPA Leadership. — The
Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government shall
determine the qualifications and competencies of the positions for Director,
Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, Dean of Academics, Commandant of Cadets and
Division Chiefs of the PNPA, necessary for the administration of the Academy.

‘The qualified nominees for the positions of Director, Deputy Director, Chief
of Staff, Dean of Academics, and Commandant of Cadets shall be designated by
the Secretary, DILG based on the selection process conducted by the Board of
Trustees.


SECTION 10. PNPA Personnel and Academic Staff. — Commissioned
Officers of the PNP, BUMP and BFP, once assigned to the Academy, shall render
continuous service for five (5) years, while Non-Commissioned Officers of the
PNP, BFP, and BUMP shall not be reassigned for three (3) years. Reassignment
of uniformed personnel may only be allowed for justifiable reasons.

The Academy shall grant tenure to the academic staff and shall
ensure the morale and welfare of its workforce.

SECTION 11. Systems and Procedure. ~ The Director shall formulate
systems and procedures that will ensure the attainment of the goals and
objectives aligned with the mandate of the Academy.

SECTION 12. Academic Council. - The Council shall be composed
of the Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, Dean of Academics, Commandant of
Cadets, a representative from the Corps of Professors, a representative from
Tactics Group, and Regimental Academic Chancellor.

SECTION 13. Functions of Academic Board. — The Board shall have the
following powers and duties:

a. To define in general terms the thrusts of the Academy and such
other policies responsive to the demands of time and to adopt
guidelines to ensure its implementation, subject to the approval of
the Director.

b. To assist the Director in determining strategies, procedures and
techniques for effective and efficient implementation of the
programs of the Academy.

c. To recommend to the Director, the appointment of Corps of
Professors, to draw up a position classification and compensation
plan for its professors: Provided, that the salaries, benefits, and
honoraria of the faculty members shall be equivalent to those being
received by their counterparts in the private sector, and to remove
any of its professors for cause as provided under the rules as it may
promulgate, after due investigation and proper hearing.

d. To recommend to the Director the approval of the list of applicants
for appointment as Cadets.

€. To recommend to the Director the Conferment of Graduates for
the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Safety (BSPS).

f, To promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to supervision and
management of the cadets, to provide additional guidelines to


address new situations not covered by the existing rules and
regulations.

g. To deliberate on cases of Cadets who are recommended for turn-
back or dismissal from the Academy for deficiency in academics,
non-academics, physical disability and other circumstances not
covered by the disciplinary machinery. Provided that, the resolution
of the Academic Board dismissing the cadet, or recommending for
his/her turn-back may be appealed to the Director within fifteen (15)
days upon receipt of the resolution. Provided further, that the
decision of the Director on the appealed resolution shall be final and
executory.

h To deliberate on the readmission of turned-back cadets.

i, To deliberate on the Annual Order of Merit from the Registrar,
Special Courses conducted by the Academic Department, awards
to deserving cadets and the Final Order of Merit submitted by the
Awards Committee subject to the approval of the Director.

j. To deliberate on the list of recommended cadets for promotion to the
higher class.

k, To recommend to the Director, those personnel and members of the
Corps of Professors who are qualified for fellowship and scholarship.

1. Investigate, upon complaint or motu propio, violations of academic
freedom, of the institution, the professor/instructor, of the cadets,
or any act that will undermine the academic freedom or training
standards of the Academy.

SECTION 14. Corps of Professors and Instructors. — There shall be a
Corps of Professors and instructors in the Academy. The PNPA shall create,
develop and implement a system of faculty, placement, promotion and
development in view of educating, training and preparing the future police
commissioned officers with the highest standard of personal integrity and
professional competence.

Civilian professors shall be granted with respective academic ranks
pursuant to the guidelines as may hereinafter promulgated by the Academic
Council and approved by the Director. Professors/Instructors who are
members of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau
of Jail Management and Penology, may be appointed to the Corps of Professors
and Instructors upon their own application or upon the direction of the Director
as recommended by the Dean of Academics or Commandant of Cadets.


The terms and conditions of work of civilian professors shall be governed
by the rules as may hereinafter be promulgated by the Academic Council and
approved by the Director.

SECTION 15. Cadet Admission. - The PNPA shall conduct the admission
program and selection of cadets. The admission requirements and qualifications
for admission to the Cadetship Program shall be determined by the Academic
Council subject to the approval of the Director. The admission test of the PNPA
Cadetship Program shall be stringent to maintain high standards of academic
excellence.

The PNPA may coordinate with the CHED, TESDA, DepEd, DND, and
the DILG in the use of the facilities and equipment of the said departments in
carrying out the selection and admission requirements of the PNPA.

SECTION 16. Cadetship Program. ~ PNPA Cadetship Program is a four-
year residential scholarship course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science
in Public Safety (BSPS), which degree shall be granted by the Academy through
the Director upon the recommendation of the Academic Council. The
successful candidates in the Cadetship Program shall be known as Cadets, and
they shall be organized as the Cadet Corps of the Philippine National Police
Academy (CCPNPA).

Cadets shall be considered government scholars and not government
employees. Provided that their period of cadetship will be considered as part of
their time-in-grade in government service. Provided further, that they will be
appointed in permanent status as Police Lieutenant, Jail Inspector, or Fire
Inspector, in the public safety service.

The Cadetship Program shall be selective admission and_ selective
retention.

In addition to Cadetship Program, the Academy shall offer opportunities
for short-term public safety, homeland security, and other relevant training
courses or proficiency certification diplomas.

The Academy shall conduct a periodic assessment of its curriculum
and syllabus and shall likewise provide career development opportunities and
continuing education to the members of the Corps of Professors. The
Academy shall conduct periodic evaluations of teaching strategies and
techniques of the professors/ instructors, and shall prepare recommendations
for further improvement. The assessment and evaluation of learning shall be
outcome-based. The periodic examination shall be departmentalized and the
Academy shall ensure that the examinations to be administered is valid and
reliable. There shall be a qualifying examination to be administered before the
end of the academic term, which examination shall form part of the Overall Final
Grade, and shall be a pre-requisite for promotion to the next academic level.


SECTION 17. Cadet Congressional Assignment. — To ensure the
proportional distribution throughout the country of the cadets availing the
quality education and training inside the PNPA, a congressional assignment of
one (1) cadet per congressional seat and three (3) cadets per member of the
Senate is hereby established: Provided, that applicants must pass the basic
requirements for admission: Provided further, that for every province or highly
urbanized city where there is only one (1) congressional district, three (3) cadets
shall be selected therefrom; Provided finally, that only upon determination that
there is no qualified applicant from a certain congressional district. shall
another qualified applicant, irrespective of domicile, be considered for the said
slot.

SECTION 18. Tax Exemptions. - All revenues and assets of the PNPA
used for educational purposes or in support thereof shall be exempt from all
taxes. Further, all grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions
made to and used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes by
the PNPA shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be considered
as allowable deductions from the gross income for purposes of computing the
taxable income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National
Revenue Code of 1999, as amended.

SECTION 19. Appropriation. - To carry out the implementation of
this Act, the academy shall be provided with an initial appropriation to be drawn
from the national government. Thereafter, appropriation for the succeeding years
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act(GAA).

SECTION 20. Rules of Construction. - No statutory or other
issuances shall diminish the powers, rights, privileges and benefits accorded to
the Academy under this Act or enjoyed at present unless subsequent legislation
expressly provides for their repeal, amendment or modification. In case of doubt,
interpretation of any of the provision of this Charter shall be resolved in favor of
the Academy and its institutional autonomy.

SECTION 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60)
days from the approval of this Act, the PNPA shall, in consultation with the DILG,
CHED, PNPAAAI, representatives from PNP, BUMP, BFP and other relevant
government agencies and stakeholders, formulate the rules and regulations to
implement the provision of this Act.

SECTION 22. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other
provisions of this Act.

SECTION 23. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SECTION 24. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation
in the Philippines.

Approved,