NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The need for policy research and strategic studies could not be more compelling than 
at the present time.  Domestic and international, political, economic and other developments 
of profound significance present tremendous challenges to the country.   
Major 
technical 
advances 
especially 
in 
communications, 
information 
and 
transportation have increased interdependence among nations. 
While large-scale military confrontation has become more unlikely, competition for 
resources is likely to develop more keenly. It is expected that the next arena of competition 
could very well be the Asia-Pacific Region. 
In many parts of Asia, outstanding territorial conflicts may fuel many interstate 
tensions.  Meanwhile, some states continue to build vast arsenals of weapons which may bring 
about another arms race. 
Contending claims over the Spratly portion of the South China Sea by several states, 
including the Philippines, may result in armed confrontation. 
Internally, the Philippines is beset by a continuing insurgency.  The local communist 
movement remains a clear and present danger to national security, with the Moro Islamic 
Liberation Front (MILF), together with terrorist organizations, like the Abu Sayyaf continually 
disturbing the political stability of the country. 
There is clearly an urgency in conducting scientific and continuing policy research and 
strategic studies as bases for addressing our fundamental and critical national concerns. 
Strategic studies have to be done by a group of selected scholar-members who, 
among other things, shall: 
(1) Conduct strategic research on national and international concerns;
(2) Formulate various policy options on various national concerns; and
(3) Recommend the appropriate actions to support such policies and strategies.
In view of the foregoing considerations early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
March 16, 2023
7:00 pm
7671


NINETEENTH CONGRESS  
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session  
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1.  Establishment of the Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS).  The Institute for 
Strategic Studies, hereinafter referred to as the Organization is hereby created and 
established as an institution to promote understanding of fundamental, current and emerging 
domestic and international issues and to assist the government in formulating policies and 
strategic perspectives on those issues.  It shall conduct research on fundamental national 
concerns in response to or in anticipation of the needs of policy-making, conduct studies on 
matters of domestic and international political, economic, military, socio-cultural and techno-
scientific significance in an interdisciplinary and integrative manner; identify strategies to serve 
the ends of policy, design programs to effect coordinated and integrated work of other 
research institutes engaged in strategic studies, undertake commissioned research work in 
collaboration with outside entities/institutions consistent with its mandate; build and maintain 
a resource facility and data bank; and carry out such other activities and projects which shall 
enhance the mission of the organization. 
SECTION 2.  Powers of the Organization.  The Organization shall have the following powers: 
a) Adopt, alter and use a corporate seal;
b) Take and hold by bequest, devise, gift, purchase or lease, either absolutely or in
trust, for any of its purposes, any property, real or personal, without limitation as to
amount or value, to convey such property and to invest and reinvest any principal
of the said Organization in such manner as shall best promote its objectives;
c) Collect, receive and maintain a fund or funds and to apply the income and principal
thereof to the promotion of its aims and purposes herein-before set out;
d) Contract any obligation or enter into any agreement necessary or incidental to the
proper management of its corporate powers;
e) Engage in any activity, and exercise all the powers conferred by the laws upon
private or government-owned and controlled corporations, and;
f)
Exercise the general powers of a duly incorporated entity as set out in the
Corporation Code.
SECTION 3. The Board of Trustees. The Organization shall be organized functionally with the 
following components: 
1.
There shall be a Board of Trustees composed of the Executive Secretary,
Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, Secretary of Foreign
Affairs, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Science and
Technology, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, an eminent representative from the private sector to be appointed
by the President of the Republic of Philippines and the President of the
Organization;
7671


2. 
The Trustees shall elect from among themselves the Chairman and Vice-
Chairman of the Board; 
3. 
The Board of Trustees may create an executive committee coming from the 
private sector composed of five trustees including its Chairperson, which 
shall have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board of 
Trustees in between the regular meetings of the said board. The Chair of 
the Board shall head the executive committee.  Decisions of the Executive 
Committee shall be reported to the Board of Trustees at its meeting. 
4. 
The trustees shall receive a per diem as may be authorized for every 
meeting actually attended, in addition to reasonable transportation and 
representation expenses.  
5. 
The Board shall provide guidance to the Policy Council on the thrusts, 
objectives, policies, researches, agenda, programs and other activities of 
the organization. 
 
SEC 4.  Policy Council.  There shall be a Policy Council, composed of an Executive Director 
and five others as Members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of Republic of 
the Philippines from among the present members of the Strategic Studies Group of the 
National Defense College of the Philippines, as presently constituted, for a term of six years.  
The Council shall have the following authority: 
1. 
To formulate the thrusts, objectives, policies, research agenda, programs 
and other activities; 
2. 
To oversee, monitor and evaluate all research work and studies; 
3. 
To designate Research Fellows with notable scholarship to do and or/direct 
research work and strategic studies in various functional/area program of 
the organization that are relevant to their areas of expertise; 
4. 
To determine and fill up other positions in the Organization and fix the 
salaries, honoraria, allowances and other emoluments of all officers and 
members of the Organization. 
 
SEC 5. Autonomy and Academic Freedom of the Organization. The Organization shall be an 
autonomous and self-governing institution governed by the principle of academic freedom; it 
shall neither be organic nor be part of any government instrumentality.  It shall be attached to 
the Office of the President to facilitate its budgetary and other administrative requirements and 
for the purpose of policy coordination. 
 
SEC 6.  Assistance from Government Departments and Agencies.  To assist in its functions, 
government departments, agencies, units or instrumentalities shall allow the Organization 
access to their official files, records, data and other documents, provided such access is 
consistent with the requirements of confidentiality. 
 
SEC 7. Exemptions. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, appointments to the 
research and administrative staff of the Organization may be on a full-time basis and shall be 
exempt from the requirements and restrictions of the Civil Service and retirement laws, other 
laws, rules and regulations on position-classification and salary standardization and Section 
Two Hundred Fifty Nine of the Revised Administrative Code; Provided, that any government 
retiree employed in the Organization shall not be required to reimburse or refund any gratuity 
received from the government nor shall any pension or annuity to which he is entitled be 
suspended or reduced on account of his employment in the Organization. 
 
SEC 8.  Services of Outside Agencies and of Private Sector.  The Organization may, for the 
purpose of research, field work and other activities, obtain and pay for the services of the 
personnel of any agency of the Philippine Government and/or private sector to perform 
research or field work and such other activities as may be needed. 
 


SEC 9.  Endowment Fund.  
1. 
An Endowment Fund shall be created  to provide for non-recurring 
expenditures of the Organization.  For this purpose, the amount of Five 
Hundred Million Pesos (P500,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from any 
fund in the National Treasury.  The Endowment Fund shall be administered 
as a trust fund with the Board of Trustees thereof, provided that the principal 
of said endowment shall not be subject to impairment and provided further 
that the earnings thereof, shall constitute a trust fund available for non-
recurring and unprogrammed expenditures of the Organization. 
 Any or all savings of the Organization shall form part of the trust funds provided in 
Section 9, above. 
 
SEC 10.  Appropriation.  There is hereby appropriated the amount of Five Hundred Million 
Pesos (P500,000,000.00) out of any unappropriated funds in the National Treasury for such 
initial requirements as capital outlay and infrastructures of the Organization.  Thereafter, the 
Congress of the Philippines shall include as part of its budgetary appropriations the amount of 
at least Fifty Million (P50,000,000.00) pesos to finance the recurring and operational 
expenditures of the Organization.  
 
SEC 11.  Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, 
the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SEC 12. Repealing Clause.  Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter 
of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC 13.  Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of this 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,