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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2072

Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Talifio Santos

AN ACT CREATING THE OFFICE FOR CLAN CONFLICT PREVENTION UNDER
THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Local clan conflicts or synonymously referred to as blood feuds in the Philippines integral part of
human existence that has been present even before the formation of states. Blood feuds are highly
prevalent, especially in provinces with strong communal bonds.

In Luzon, the Cordilleras’ has been practi “inter-village warfare” and “revenge raids” which
are fueled by economic interest such as land disputes. Yet, a more prevalent case of blood feuds
refers to that in Mindanao. A local blood feud in the region is known as rido.

Rido is defined as a state of recurring hostilities between families and kinship groups characterized
by a series of retaliatory acts of violence carried out to avenge a perceived affront or injustice.
Common causes of which include: (1) Land disputes, (2) Theft; (3) Politics/political rivalry; (4)
Election-related conflict; (5) Sex crimes; (6) Pride/disgrace/shame/affront to maratabat; (7)
Homicide; (8) Accidents; (9) Business rivalry; (10) Drugs; (11) Non-payment of debts; (12)
Jesting; (13) Damage to property; and (14) Cattle rustling.

‘The prevalence of rido cases urged the local governments in Mindanao to exert efforts and explore
mechanisms to solve the issue. They recognized that the ordinary judicial process is not an
effective tool in dealing with rido as these types of conflicts are highly embedded in the Moro.

However, despite all these efforts, rido, as in the case of Mindanao, remains. Indeed, the Phili
Constitution promotes the preservation and protection of the family as the basic unit of society.
Filipino families tend to protect each other at all costs which is the reason why blood feuds or clan
wars exist. Yet, when these family members tend to put the law in their hands to seek justice. they
must be held liable under the law regardless of what tradition or cultural practice are they
employing.

It is at this time that we, as lawmakers, should begin finding nexus between culture and law. Rido
in Mindanao is not an isolated case. Other provinces might have experienced worse. The utmost
respect given by the government to culture, traditions, and beliefs resulted in several injustices


suffered by innocent people. Thus, when such cultural traditions and-practidxs tend to be violative
of the right to life, property, or liberty of persons, the law mustake preceder}ce.

The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALINO SANTOS
Representative
3 Pistrict, Cotabato Province


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,_ 2972

Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliio Santos

AN ACT CREATING THE OFFICE FOR CLAN CONFLICT PREVENTION UNDER
THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROVIDING FUNDS 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 “Office for Clan Conflict
Prevention”

SECTION 2. Declaration Policy. — It is declared a policy of the State to protect life,
liberty, and property and ensure that every individual shall be afforded due process of law.
Therefore, it is the obligation of Congress to fulfill its duties mandated by the Constitution to
respect and protect the rights and dignity of each individual.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:

a. Blood Feud —a state of recurring hostilities between families and kinship groups characterized
by a series of retaliatory acts of violence carried out to avenge a perceived affront or injustice.

b. Clan — group of people related by blood or marriage. kin group, kindred, kinship group, kin,
tribe.

c. Retaliation — refers to the act of seeking revenge upon another.

SECTION 4. Creation of the Office for Clan Conflict Prevention — There is hereby
created the Office for Clan Conflict Prevention (OCCP) under the Office of the President to
provide an immediate response to the proliferation of clan conflict across the country and to
prevent such from further causing harm to communities.

SECTION 5. Function and Re lities of the Office — The Office for Clan Conflict
Prevention shall be tasked to perform the following functions and responsibilities:


Coordinate with local government units and their respective religious/cultural bodies in clan

conflict-prone areas to determine and assess the ongoing clan conflict cases;

Act as a mediation hub for warring clans and families;

. Provide harmonized rules and regulations regarding settlement conditions and limitations;

|. Craft a uniform template for settlement documents that shall be recognized by concerned
government agencies;

. Undertake massive clan conflict education programs to create greater awareness as to the impact

of said conflict,

SECTION 6. Organization and Administration. - The Office for Clan Conflict Prevention
shall be headed by an Executive Director, given a rank of Undersecretary, and supported by two
(2) Deputy Executive Directors, given ranks of Assistant Secretary, and three (3) Directors, with
ranks equivalent to Salary Grade 27 or Director III.

. Executive Director - The Executive Director will be the head of the office of the OCCP and will

provide the overall direction of the operations and programs of the office.

. Deputy Executive Director for Luzon and Visayas - The Deputy Executive Director for Luzon and
Visayas shall assist the Executive Director of the OCCP in managing clan conflict prevention
concerns and activities particular to the Luzon and Visayas islands.

. Deputy Executive Director for Mindanao - The Deputy Executive Director for Luzon and Visayas
shall assist the Executive Director of the OCCP in managing clan conflict prevention concerns and
activities particular to Mindanao.

|. Director for Clan Conflict Prevention Support - The Director for Clan Conflict Prevention Support
shall provide technical support to the OCP in implementing programs and conducting activities
of the office.

. Director for Policy and Programs - The Director for Policy and Programs shall provide technical
support to the OCCP on the formulation of policies and development of programs relevant to the
purpose of preventing occurrences of clan conflicts in the country.

Director for Administrative and Operations Support - The Director for Administrative and
Operations Support shall provide the finance and administrative support to the overall operational
requirements of the OCCP.

‘The OCCP shall also maintain a Council of Advisors to aid its formulation of policies and
the conduct of its activities in order to ensure that culture and traditions related to clan conflict
settlements and prevention are respected and observed. The Council of Advisors shall be selected
in cooperation with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the National Commission
on Muslim Filipinos.

SECTION 7. Inter-regional Cooperation. - The Office for Clan Conflict Prevention shall
work hand-in-hand with its regional counterparts composed of local government units,
religious/indigenous bodies, and security forces through the Office of the Presidential Adviser for
Norther Luzon, the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, and the Mindanao
Development Authority (MinDA).


SECTION 8. Funding and Manpower Requirements, — Funding for the manpower and
operational activities, programs as well as other needs of the Office for Clan Conflict Prevention
shall be sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA), subject to the applicable accounting
and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules,
and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed amended,
modified, or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,