THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
6 
p@y 22 71: 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) was created in the 
aftermath of the 1986 EDSA Revolution (Edsa I), by virtue of Executive Order No. 1 
issued by former President Corazon C. Aquino. It was originally envisioned to 
undertake the complicated and crucial tasks of 1) recovering all the ill-gotten wealth 
accumulated by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and his immediate family, 
relatives, subordinates and close associates; 2) investigating cases of graft and 
corruption assigned by the President from time to time; and, 3) adopting safeguard 
measures to ensure that such practice of acquiring wealth through unlawful means shall 
not be repeated in any manner as well as to prevent the occurrence of corruption in 
government. Such responsibilities were vested in the Commission in order that all 
recovered funds, assets and other properties may be used to hasten national economic 
recovery, or be preserved for the benefit of the People and the Republic. 
Over the last twenty (20) years, however, the PCGG‘s performance and 
credibility in pursuit of its mandated functions have been put to serious question due to 
the acts of some of its officials and agents who not only failed to do their task to 
preserve the funds and properties under their watch but worse, participated in the 
dissipation of these assets. The Commission that was established to safeguard the 
interest of the people and the Republic now exists indifferent and apathetic on the 
unbridled dissipation of the same wealth it was originally mandated to protect. 
On several occasions, inquiries and investigations were conducted to look into 
the activities and operations of the PCGG. However, its officials have boldly refused to 
explain their actuations or justify their actions by invoking a provision in its charter 
which states that “no members or staff of the Commission shall be required to testify or 
produce evidence in any judicial, legislative or administrative proceedings concerning 
matters within its official cognizance.” Such provision has been the refuge of those in 
the Commission who think that they are above the law. 
To correct this anomalous situation, this bill seeks to amend the PCGG charter in 
order to ensure greater transparency in the transactions undertaken by PCGG as well as 
greater accountability of its members, officials and employees. 
In view of all these, the immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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6 IW 2.3 
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1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 2250 
Introduced by Senator Juan Ponce Enrile 
AN ACT 
AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 1, CREATING THE PRESIDENTIAL 
COMMISSSION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT, AS AMENDED BY EXECUTIVE 
ORDER NO. 13, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
SECTION 1. Section 4(b) of Executive Order No. 1, issued on February 28,1986, 
as amended by Executive Order No. 13, issued on April 23,1986, is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"Section 4. (a) No civil action shall lie against the commission or any 
member thereof for anything done or omitted in the discharge of the task 
contemplated by this order. 
"(b) [No member or staff of the commission shall be required to testify or 
produce evidence in any judicial, Iegislative or administrative proceeding 
concerning matters within its official cognizance.] 
WHENEVER 
NECESSARY, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION AND THEIR STAFF 
SHALL BE REQUIRED TO TESTIFY BEFORE, OR PRODUCE 
EVIDENCE 
IN, 
ANY 
JUDICIAL, 
LEGISLATIVE 
OR 
ADMINISTRATIVE 
PROCEEDING 
CONCERNING 
MATTERS 
WITHIN ITS OFFICIAL COGNIZANCE. WHEN THE SECURITY OF 
THE STATE OR THE PUBLIC INTEREST SO REQUIRES, THE 
TESTIMONY 
OR 
PRODUCTION 
OF 
EVIDENCE 
MAY 
BE 
CONDUCTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, CLOSED CHAMBERS, OR 
CLOSED-DOOR PROCEEDINGS, WHICHEVER APPLIES." 
SEC. 2. 
All other provisions of law, rules, and regulations, which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least 
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,