Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE  BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representatives 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA and HON. JOSE MANUEL F. ALBA 
___________________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Scout Movement formally took root in the Philippines with the signing of the Boy Scouts of the 
Philippines (BSP) Charter through Commonwealth Act No. 111 on October 01, 1936. Subsequently, the 
law was amended under Presidential Decree No. 460 and Republic Act No. 7278. For over 70 years the 
Boy Scouts of the Philippines has become the largest, fast growing and most influential youth 
organization in the Philippines and in the world. Since its foundation, the BSP has remained steadfast in 
its statutory duty to the Republic and with the lapse of time its role has already been transformed, 
particularly with its membership in the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). Under the 
WOSM Charter1, the Scout Movement is mandated to be a voluntary, non-political educational 
movement for young people open to all without distinction as to gender, origin, race, or creed. 
Accordingly, subjecting the BSP to rigid state control is anathema to this mandate as it shall compromise 
the non-political nature of the Scouting Movement. 
This bill does not intend to create a private corporation out of the BSP and neither does it intend to fully 
wrest the BSP from the ambit of government. Rather, this measure is intended to address the current 
situation of the BSP after the pronouncement of the Supreme Court in Boy Scouts of the Philippines vs. 
Commission on Audit2 where it was regarded as both a "government controlled corporation with an 
original charter" and as an "instrumentality" of the Government and the declaration by the Governance 
Commission for Government Owned or Controlled Corporations in Memorandum Order No. 2013-423 
that together with the Girl Scouts, the BSP is a Sui Generis entity. The intended reorganization of the 
BSP shall redefine the powers, duties, and functions of the BSP as an independent, voluntary, 
autonomous organization parallel to the Charter of the Philippine Red Cross under Republic Act 10072 
and Girl Scouts of the Philippines under Republic Act No. 10073. Thus, all privileges enjoyed by the 
latter two organizations shall also be accorded to the BSP as a similar institution. 
1 (WOSM) Art. 1, Chapter 1, CONSTITUTION of the World Organization of the Scout Movement 
2 G.R. No. 177131; June 7, 2011 
3 Memorandum Order 2013-42, 5 Nov. 2013. 
July 5, 2023
11:54 am
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This proposed amendment to the BSP Charter will create a vibrant organization free of political 
interference, neutral and non-political and with no other aim but “the development of young people in 
achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as 
responsible citizens an d as members of their local, national and international communities.”4 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
DALE B. CORVERA 
JOSE MANUEL F. ALBA 
Representative 
Representative 
2nd District of Agusan del Norte 
1st District of Bukidnon 
4 (WOSM) Supra. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE  BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representatives 
HON. DALE B. CORVERA and HON. JOSE MANUEL F. ALBA 
___________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
REORGANIZING THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES AS AN INDEPENDENT, 
VOLUNTARY, AUTONOMOUS ORGANIZATION, INSTITUTING ITS NEW CHARTER, 
DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,  
REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE, COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 111, AS AMENDED,  
AND REPUBLIC ACT 7278 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known and cited as the “New Charter of the Boy Scouts of 
the Philippines” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policies. — The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-
building. Towards this end, the State shall protect their physical, moral, intellectual, emotional, social 
and spiritual growth by promoting Scouting as an educational means complementary to the basic 
education system by adhering to the principles embodied in the Constitution of the World Organization 
of the Scout Movement, an international organization governing all scout movements worldwide. 
SECTION 3. Recognition and Institutionalization of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines – In conformity 
with international covenants embodied in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN 
Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other international laws, protocols and statutes relating to the 
youth and gender-equality, as well as the pertinent provisions of the Charter of the World Organization 
of the Scout Movement (WOSM), the State hereby recognizes the "Boy Scouts of the Philippines", 
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hereinafter referred to as the "BSP", as a body corporate, originally and duly created by virtue of 
Commonwealth Act No. 111.  
 
The Sate shall at all times, respect the independence, autonomy, neutrality, voluntary nature of the 
organization. It recognizes the BSP the sole scouting organization empowered to represent the Philippines 
in WOSM. 
 
SECTION 5. The BSP Nature and Purpose. — The BSP is an independent, voluntary, non-stock, non-
sectarian, non-political, autonomous organization which shall willingly co-operate with other persons, 
natural and juridical, public and private, whose ideals and procedures are in accord with those conferred 
or authorized by this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 6. Vision and Mission. - Vision and Mission of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines 
 
Vision 
 
We are the leading provider of progressive outdoor-based non-formal education 
committed to develop morally straight, disciplined, concerned, self-reliant citizens in the best tradition 
of World Scouting. 
 
Mission 
 
To inculcate in our Scouts, love of God, country and fellowmen. To prepare the youth 
for responsible leadership. To contribute to nation building according to the ideals, principles, and 
program of Scouting. 
 
SECTION 5. Principal Office. — The BSP shall have its principal office in Metropolitan Manila. It may 
establish such other offices anywhere in the Philippines as its operations would require and its National 
Executive Board would deem necessary.  
 
SECTION 6. Powers. — As a juridical entity, the BSP shall have perpetual succession and shall have the 
following powers: 
 
a)  
To sue and be sued; 
b)  
To acquire, hold and convey such real and personal properties, rights and choses in action 
as shall be deemed necessary and desirable for its purposes as hereinafter set forth or other means, to do 
business in whatever form and to conduct fund-raising activities; 
c)  
To receive funds, real and personal properties by gift, devise and donation, contribution 
or other means and accept bequests of all classes; 
d)  
To adapt a seal and to alter and destroy the same at pleasure; 
e)  
To have offices and conduct its business and affairs in the Metropolitan Manila area and 
in the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays in the Philippines;   


 
 
f)  
Generally exercise all the powers of a corporation, make and adopt its own By-laws and 
do all such acts and things as may be necessary to carry into effect of the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 7. Chief Scout. — The President of the Republic of the Philippines shall be the Chief Scout 
of the BSP who shall act in an honorary ex-officio capacity. 
 
SECTION 8. National Executive Board. — The governing body of the BSP shall consist of a National 
Executive Board (NEB), the members of which shall be Filipino citizens of known probity and good 
moral character. The Board shall be composed of the following: 
 
a)  
Secretary of the Department of Education; 
b)  
Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; 
c)  
National President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines; 
d)  
Regional Chairmen of the geographical regions to be known as Scout Regions who shall 
be elected by the representatives of all the chartered Provincial, City or conglomerate of cities and 
municipalities to be known as Local Councils within the region during its meeting called for this 
purpose; 
e)  
One Senior Scout each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao areas, to be 
elected as National Scout Representative during the conference of Scouts ages 13-21 known as the 
Scouts Parliament in their respective geographical areas; 
f)  
Twelve (12) regular members to be elected by the members of the National  
Council in its meeting called for this purpose; 
g)  
Eight (8) additional members from the Private Sector; and 
h) 
The immediate past National President as ex-officio non-voting member of the Board. 
 
Thereafter, the National Executive Board, as herein duly constituted, shall elect from the elected Regular 
Members by the National Council, the following officers of the BSP: 
 
a)  
National President; 
b)  
Senior Vice President; 
c)    
One (1) Vice President each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao areas; 
d)  
Treasurer 
e)  
Chief National Commissioner; 
f)  
International Commissioner; and, 
g)  
Such other officers as the Board may deem necessary. 
 
The officers duly elected shall be entitled to serve for a period commensurate with their remaining tenure 
as a member of the NEB which shall be a maximum of three (3) years and a minimum of one (1) year. 
In case of vacancy by reason of the expiration of the term of office, the NEB shall elect from its members 
the officers of the BSP who shall serve in the interim until such successor is elected in an election called 
for the purpose upon the reconstitution of the NEB. 
 


 
 
The numerical composition as well as the qualifications and manner of electing the abovementioned 
members of the National Executive Board shall also be provided for in the By-Laws.  
 
The term of office of the regular members of the Board shall be three (3) years while Private Sector 
Representatives shall only serve for a period of one (1) year. 
 
All incumbent elective regular members or officers of the BSP whose terms have not yet expired at the 
effectivity of this Act shall not serve anymore the unexpired portion of their terms but they shall be 
eligible for reelection. 
 
Vacancies in the National Executive Board shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members 
and a member thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term. 
 
Owing to the voluntary nature of their services and involvement in the organization, the officers and 
members of the National Executive Board shall serve without any kind of compensation, allowances or 
emoluments and are subject to the jurisdiction of the regular courts. 
 
The bylaws may prescribe the number of members of the National Executive Board necessary to 
constitute a quorum of the board. 
 
Pending reorganization and in the interim, the present provisions of the existing bylaws not inconsistent 
with this act shall govern the day to day operations of the NEB until such new bylaws is promulgated 
and approved by the National Council. 
 
SECTION 9. Powers and Functions of the National Executive Board. — The National Executive Board 
shall exercise the following powers and functions: 
 
a) To make and to amend the By-Laws subject to the ratification by a majority vote of the 
members present at a meeting of the National Council or at a special meeting of the National Council 
called for this purpose; 
b) To authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens upon the property of the BSP by a 
two-thirds (2/3) vote of the whole Board in a meeting called for this purpose; 
c) To designate five (5) or more of their members to constitute an executive or governing 
committee, to include the National President as its Chairman, of which a majority shall constitute a 
quorum, through a resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board. Such Committee, to the extent 
provided in said resolution or in the By-Laws shall have, and exercise, the powers of the National 
Executive Board in the management of the business affairs of the BSP, and may have the power to 
authorize the seal of the BSP to be affixed to all papers which may require it; 
d) To create standing and special committees and appoint the chairmen and members thereof from 
among themselves by an affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board. Such standing committees 
shall exercise such powers as may be authorized by the By-Laws; 


 
 
e) To dispose of, in any manner, a part or the whole property of the BSP with the consent in 
writing and pursuant to an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the National Council; 
and, 
     
 f) To hold regular meetings at a time and place to be designated in the By-Laws. Special meetings 
of the Board may be called by the National President or upon such notice as may be prescribed in the By-
Laws; 
   
g) Appoint and/or remove its officers in accordance with the By-Laws; 
 
SECTION 10. The National President. — The National President, as voted by the National Executive 
Board, shall have the following powers and functions: 
 
a)    
Exercise general supervision and authority over the regular course of business, affairs, and 
property of the BSP, and over its employees and officers; 
b)     
Ensure that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect; 
c)     
Submit to the Board as soon as possible, after the close of each fiscal year, at the meeting 
called for, if applicable, a complete report of the operations of the BSP for the preceding year, and the 
state of its affairs; 
d)  
Report to the Board from time to time all matters which the interest of the BSP may require 
to be brought to its notice; and, 
e)  
Perform such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may require. 
 
SECTION 11. National Council. — The National Council is the highest corporate policy-making body 
of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines that shall manage its affairs and business. The National Council shall 
be composed of the following members: 
 
a)  
The members of the National Executive Board; 
b)  
The Regional Scout Committee Chairmen;  
c)  
The Regional Scout Commissioner, a person duly appointed and commissioned by the 
National Executive Board; 
e)  
The Chairmen and Commissioners of all Local Councils; and, 
   
f)    
Other duly accredited delegates of all Local Councils as may be provided in the By-Laws. 
 
The qualifications, terms of office, and the manner of electing the above mentioned 
members of the National Council shall be prescribed in the By-Laws. 
 
The numerical composition of the National Council shall be provided for in the By-Laws. 
Provided, that all regions and all local councils shall be duly represented therein by at least two (2) duly 
accredited delegates in addition to those who are members of the National Executive Board as provided 
for under Section 10 of this Act. 
 
The National Council shall convene every three years in a convention assembled for the purpose. 
Special meetings of the National Council may be called upon with such notice as may be prescribed in 


 
 
the By-Laws. One-third (1/3) of the members of the National Council shall constitute a quorum to do 
business during meetings.  
 
The National Council and the National Executive Board shall have the power to hold their 
meetings and keep the seal, books, documents, and papers of the BSP within or outside Metropolitan 
Manila. 
 
The National President shall preside over the meetings of the National Council. Each local council 
represented in the annual or special meeting of the National Council shall be entitled to three (3) votes 
plus one (1) vote for every ten thousand (10,000) of their Scout membership. The members of the 
National Executive Board are entitled to one (1) vote. 
 
SECTION 12. Power and Duties of the National Council – The National Council shall exercise the 
following powers and functions: 
 
a)  
To hold a National Council Meeting at a time and place to be designated in the By-Laws. 
The purpose of such meetings is to discuss the national concerns and issues of each Local Council for 
the proper governance of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines; 
b)  
To approve and/or ordain any amendments to the national By-Laws; 
c)  
To require the majority vote of the National Council before the cause of any lien, 
encumbrance or disposition of any real property; 
d)  
To propose the creation of any committee either governing, standing or special to govern 
or do any legal task that the Regional or Local Councils may require; and, 
e) 
 All other powers necessary for the effective management of the affairs of the Regional 
and Local Councils as long as they are not inconsistent with the decisions and powers of the National 
Executive Board and the powers and duties provided for in the By-Laws. 
 
SECTION 13. Chartered Councils – Chartered Councils shall be autonomous of the BSP but in no case 
treated as body corporate separate of the BSP, as such all properties they hold or hereinafter acquire shall 
be held in trust for the BSP and shall be dealt with in a manner consistent with this act, the By-Laws and 
the rules as may hereinafter be adopted by National Council. 
 
SECTION 14. Exclusivity to seal, emblems and other insignias. — The Boy Scouts of the Philippines 
shall adopt and shall have the sole and exclusive right to use its own distinctive titles, emblems, 
descriptive or designing marks, words and phrases, badges, uniforms and insignia in carrying out its 
program in accordance with the purposes of this Act, and which shall be published in the Official Gazette 
or in any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
 
a) The BSP shall adopt distinctive emblems, badges, insignias, uniforms and other equipment 
which shall be made available to and used only by registered Scouts or officials who have satisfactorily 
complied with the international requirements and which BSP shall use in carrying out its program 
consistent with purpose of this Act. 
 


 
 
The BSP shall cause the registration of said emblems, badges, insignias, uniforms and other 
equipment in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8293, otherwise known as the 
Intellectual Property Code pf the Philippines, as amended. 
 
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is hereby directed to cause said registration free of charge. 
 
b) The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and 
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shall refuse the registration of associations, the registration 
of trade names and the filling of trademarks, commercial marks and industrial models and designs making 
use of the emblems, badges, insignias, uniforms and other equipment of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines 
or their translation in any official language and dialect in violation of this Act. 
 
c) The Boy Scouts of the Philippines shall have the authority to use the terminology “Scouts 
Philippines” for branding and promotion. 
 
 
SECTION 15. Fiscal Incentives. — Any donation or contribution which from time to time may be made 
to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines by the Government or any of its subdivisions, branches, offices, 
agencies or instrumentalities or by a foreign government or by private entities and individuals shall be 
expended by the National Executive Board in pursuance of this Act. The BSP shall be entitled to the 
following tax and duty privileges: 
 
a) Exemption from income tax pursuant to Section 30 (e), (g) and (h) of the National Internal 
Revenue Code of 1997, as amended; 
b) Tax and/or duty exemption of donations from foreign countries as provided under relevant 
laws such as but not limited to Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as 
amended, and Section 109 (q) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended; 
c) Exemption from all direct and indirect taxes, including value-added tax (VAT), 
capital gains tax, income tax, fees and other charges of all kinds on all income derived from its operations, 
scout shops, and other economic enterprise, including the use, lease or sale of its real properties and the 
provisions of services; 
d) Exemption from the direct and indirect taxes, including VAT, duties, fees and other charges 
on importations and purchases for its exclusive use; 
e) Tax and/or duty exemption of donations from foreign countries as provided under relevant laws 
such as, but not limited to, Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, 
and Section 109 (K) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended; 
f) Exemption from payment of any tax or duty for any donation or contribution which from time 
to time may be made to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines by the national 
or local government or any of its subdivisions, branches, offices, agencies or instrumentalities or by 
foreign governments or international scout organizations, foundations, private corporations or entities 
and individuals which shall be used by the organization in accordance with the provisions of this Act; 
g) Exemption from payment of real property taxes on all real properties owned by it; and, 


 
 
h) The BSP shall likewise be exempt from payment from all other taxes, duties, imports, and 
charges. Likewise, all donations, legacies and gifts made to the Boy Scout of the Philippines to support 
its purposes and objectives shall be exempt from the donor's tax and shall be deductible from the gross 
income of the donor for income tax purposes or from the computation of the donor-decedent's net estate 
as a transfer for public use for estate tax purposes. 
i.) all properties owned or hereinafter acquired by the BSP shall be owned and possessed by it in 
its private capacity and shall not be subject to government control by reason of its neutral and autonomous 
status. 
 
SECTION 16. Prohibited Acts. — From and after the passage of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any 
person within the jurisdiction of the Philippines: 
 
a) To falsely and fraudulently wear the Boy Scouts of the Philippines uniform, call himself as, or 
represent himself to be a member of, or an agent for, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines; 
 
b) To manufacture, sell or distribute or cause to be manufactured, sold or distributed fraudulently 
or without the official knowledge and written approval of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts 
of the Philippines badges, uniforms, insignia, or Scouting paraphernalia or the photos or visuals of a 
Scout or Scouts in uniform, or the logo, seal, motto, slogan, Scout Oath and law, neckerchief, badge, 
emblem or corporate name of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, in any print ad, radio or television 
commercial, billboard, collateral material or any form of advertisement, including the internet, or on any 
clothing material, polo, polo shirt, jackets and the likes, pen, ball pen, pencils, book, notebook or any 
writing material and other similar items goods and clothing; 
 
c) To use the name of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines or Scouts Philippines in any illegal 
purpose or personal or economic gain. 
 
Any violation of the provisions of this Act shall be punished by prison correctional in its 
maximum period to prison mayor in its medium period and fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (Php 500,000.00) nor more than One Million (Php1,000,000.00). Provided, that in case of 
corporations, partnerships, associations, societies or companies, the manager, administrator or the person 
in charge of the management or administration of the business shall be criminally responsible for any 
such violation. 
 
This shall be without prejudice to the applicable penalties for violations of the intellectual 
property rights of the BSP under the Intellectual Code of the Philippines, as amended, as well as other 
applicable laws.  
 
SECTION 17. Transitory Clause. — Until such time that the organization and restructuring of the Boy 
Scouts of the Philippines in accordance with this Act is effected, the incumbent officers and members of 
the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines shall conduct the affairs of the Boy 
Scouts of the Philippines and take the necessary steps to effect such reorganization until a new set of 
national officers shall have been elected within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 


 
 
 
SECTION 18. Repealing/Amending Clause. — Commonwealth Act. No. 111, Presidential Decree No. 
460, Republic Act No. 7278, and Executive Order 509 (series of 1992) are hereby repealed and/or 
amended accordingly. All other laws, orders and proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof, 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act or its purposes are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 19. Separability Clause. — If for any reason, any provision of this Act or the application 
thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby 
shall be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 20. Effectivity Clause.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,