Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1742

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Loren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT
srramlume A TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND A UNIFORM STRATEGY TO
PROTECT WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 14 provides: The State recognizes the role of women in
nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

The incidence of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault by strangers and non-strangers,
marital rape, and incest has steadily increased in the past few years. Unfortunately, law enforcement
agencies are not successful in protecting women against violent crimes because of the inadequacy of
existing laws and the underreporting of rape, sexual assault, and violent crimes due to fear of
reprisal. Hence, this bill seeks to establish a Task Force that shall develop a uniform law enforcement
strategy in order to protect women against violent crime, punish persons who commit such crimes,
and enhance the rights of victims of such crimes.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

i , LUISA (peed CUARESMA


Republic of the Philippines
Honse of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1742

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO RECOMMEND A UNIFORM STRATEGY

TO PROTECT WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME

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 "Violence Against Women

Research Act.

SEC

ION 2. National Task Force on Violence Against Women. - Not later than thirty (30)

days after the date of enactment of this Act, there shall be established a Task Force to be known as
the oer eios Force on Violence Against Women" (referred to in this Act as the "Task Force"),

which shall be

created under the Office of the President.

Duties. -

SECTIO!
(A) ral Purpose of Task Force. - The Task Force shall develop a uniform law

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cement strategy aimed at protecting women against violent crime, punishing persons
commit such crimes, and enhancing the rights of victims of such crimes.

ties of Task Force. - The Task Force shall perform such functions as the President

ms appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Task Force, including:

Considering the reports of the Commission on Human Rights, appropriate agencies,

and other non-government organizations;

Developing strategies for law enforcement designated to protect women against

violent crime, and to prosecute and punish those responsible for such crime;

Evaluating the adequacy of sentencing, incarceration and release of violent offenders

against women, and making recommendations designated to ensure that such

offenders receive appropriate punishment; and

Evaluating the adequacy of the treatment of victims of violent crime against women

within the criminal justice system, and making recommendations designed to improve

such treatment.

SECTION 4, Membership. -

(A) In

A
ent

General. - The Task Force shall consist of up to nine (9) members, who shall be

The President shall ensure that the Task Force includes representatives of law
forcement and groups dedicated to protecting the rights of victims.

ne by the President not later than sixty (60) days after the date of enactment of this


(B) Per Diem. - While away from their homes or regular places of business in the
mance of duties for the Task Force, members of the Task Force shall be allowed
1 expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for
loyees of agencies under existing law.

5. Executive Director and Staff —

tive Director. - The Task Force shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall
ppointed by the President not later than thirty (30) days after the Task Force is fully
stituted under Section 2. The Executive Director shall receive compensation at a rate
to exceed the maximum rate of the basic pay payable under existing law.

- With the approval of the Task Force, the Executive Director may appoint not
than twelve (12) individuals to serve as staff and fix the compensation of such
itional personnel as the Executive Director considers necessary to carry out the duties
1¢ Task Force.

(B) St

6. Power of the Task Force. -

ings. - For the purpose of carrying out this Section, the Task Force may conduct such

ings, sit and act at such times and place, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence, as the Task Force considers appropriate. The Task Force may administer oaths
before the Task Force.

(B) Delegation. - Any number of employees of the Task Force may, if authorized by the Task
Force, take any action that the Task Force is authorized to take under this section.

(C) Actes to Information. - The Task Force may secure directly from any executive
department or agency such information as may be necessary to enable the Task Force to

out the provisions of this Act, to the extent access to such information is permitted

(D) Mail. - The Task Force may use the mails in the same manner and under the same
conditions as other departments and agencies of the government.

SECTION 7. Report. - Not later than one (1) year after the date on which the Task Force is fully
constituted under Section 2, the Executive Director shall submit a detailed report to the Congress on
the findings recommendations of the Task Force.

SECTION 8. Authorization and Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid

and subsisting.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,