Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Charter

Senate Office of te Soccretire TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -6 P4:29 SENATE RECEIVED BY 1067 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CHR) AS A NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION (NHRI) AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The protection and promotion of human rights are fundamental obligations of the State, rooted in both our Constitution and our commitments to international human rights instruments. As a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, our country has pledged to uphold the dignity and rights of every individual. This bill seeks to reinforce that commitment by strengthening the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), ensuring it can effectively fulfill its mandate. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) was established under the 1987 Philippine Constitution and formally constituted on May 5, 1987, through Executive Order No. 163, s. 1987. Despite its pivotal role in safeguarding human rights, the CHR has operated without an enabling law for over four decades, limiting its structural and functional capacities. As the Philippines' National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), the CHR is instrumental in promoting and protecting civil, political, economic, social, and cultural

rights. However, to align fully with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) and to enhance its effectiveness, there is a pressing need to formalize and strengthen its mandate through legislation. This measure, long overdue, is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and our collective resolve to protect the rights of every Filipino. In an era where human rights challenges are increasingly complex, it is imperative to equip the CHR with the necessary tools and authority to fulfill its constitutional mandate effectively. This legislation represents a significant step toward fortifying the Philippines' commitment to human rights and upholding the dignity of every Filipino. A similar version of this measure was filed by Sen. Loren Legarda and Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay as co-author, during the Nineteenth Congress. Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Senate Alice of the tartet irp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session AUG -6 P4:29 SENATE RECEVED BI: - S. No. _ 1067 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (CHR) AS A NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION (NHRI) AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 "Commission on Human

2 Rights (CHR) Charter".

Sec. 2. State Policy on Human Rights. - The State values the dignity of every

human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. It shall give the highest 5 priority to the enactment of measures that respect, protect, and fulfill the right of all 6 people to human dignity at all stages of human life.

Sec. 3. Definition of Human Rights. - Human rights are the supreme, universal,

8 inherent, and inalienable rights to life, dignity, and self-development of every person regardless of race, sex and gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. These rights include those guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution, domestic laws, and international human rights instruments such as, but not limited to the international bill of rights, i.e. the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights; and all other existing and future human rights instruments to which the Philippines is a State Party.

Sec. 4. The Commission as an Independent Office. - The independence of the

2 Commission on Human Rights, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, shall always 3 be respected and upheld. The Commission shall enjoy full fiscal autonomy. 4 Appropriations for the Commission shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and 5 regularly released.

Sec. 5. The Commission as a National Human Rights Institution. - The

7 Commission is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of the Philippines in 8 accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) and other United Nations (UN) Resolutions and Instruments pertaining to 10 the effective functioning of NHRIs. As such, the State and all its agents shall ensure and respect the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles.

Sec. 6. The Commission En Banc as a Collegial Body. - The Commission en

banc, as a collegial body, is responsible for the promulgation of policies, decisions, orders, and resolutions necessary for the efficient administration of the Commission and for the proper execution of its constitutional mandate. Every policy, decision, order, or resolution of the Commission must bear the concurrence and signature of a majority of the Members. In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Commission shall sit and render its decision en banc, unless otherwise provided in an internal resolution, adopted by the Commission en banc. The Commission shall meet regularly. A majority of the Members shall constitute a quorum.

Sec. 7. The Commission, Composition, and Qualifications. - The Commission

shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) Members who must be: a) natural-born citizens of the Philippines; b) at least thirty-five years of age at the time of their appointment; c) with proven probity, integrity, and competence in the field of human rights work; d) must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude; and e) must not have been candidates for any elective position in the national elections immediately preceding their appointment.

A majority thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar, who have been 2 engaged in the practice of law for at least ten years. The composition must observe 3 gender- balanced and pluralist representation, which shall be in accordance with the Paris Principles.

Sec. 8. Appointment and Term of Office of the Chairperson and Members of

6 the Commission. - The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President for a term of seven years without reappointment. Of those first appointed under the enactment of this Charter, the Chairperson 9 shall hold office for seven (7) years, two Members for six (6) years and the other two 10 Members for five (5) years. The term of the Chairperson and Members shall start on the day immediately after the end of the previous one, regardless of the date of appointment. In no case shall any Chairperson or Member be appointed, reappointed, or designated in a temporary, part-time, or acting capacity. Appointment to any vacancy occurring during the term shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. Vacancies in the offices of the Chairperson and of the Commissioners shall be 1.7 filled within ninety (90) days from its occurrence. However, the incumbent Chair or Member shall hold the position until such time appointment was made by the President for the same position

Sec. 9. Selection Process for the Chairperson and Members of the Commission.

- The sitting Chairperson and the Members of the Commission shall act as the Selection Committee for the appointment of the new Chairperson and four (4) Members of the Commission. The Selection Committee shall convene immediately, as soon as a vacancy exists or six (6) months before the term of the current Commission Members ends or when an impending vacancy occurs. The Committee shall develop its own rules of procedures for the selection of nominees for the position of Chair and Commissioners, in accordance with requirements of an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process, as mandated by the Paris Principles. The conduct of consultations with human rights organizations and other relevant stakeholders for the selection of the new members of the Commission En Banc shall form part of the rules and procedures.

Sec. 10. Prohibition and Disqualification. - The Chairperson and Members of

2 the Commission shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment. Neither shall they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active 4 management or control of any business, which in any way may be affected by the 5 functions of their office, nor shall they be financially interested, directly or indirectly, 6 in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the Government and 7 its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or 8 controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. They shall not 10 be allowed to appear or practice before the Commission within one year following the 11 completion of their term of office, resignation, or any other manner of separation from office. No spouse, common-law partner, or relative by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree, or business or professional partner of the Chairperson or Members, may transact business directly or indirectly with the Chairperson or its Members, or appear as counsel or agent of a party in any matter pending before the Commission. These prohibitions and disqualifications shall apply during the tenure of the official concerned and one year thereafter.

Sec. 11. Salary, Retirement, and other privileges of the Chairperson and

Members. - The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall receive the same salary, retirement, privileges, and benefits as Court of Appeals Justices, and their salaries shall not be decreased during their term of office. Upon the death of a retired Chairperson or Member, the surviving legitimate spouse shall be entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, all the retirement benefits that the deceased retiree was receiving at the time of his or her death under the provisions of applicable retirement laws. The surviving legitimate spouse shall continue to receive such retirement benefits during his or her lifetime or until he or she remarries.

Sec. 12. Structural Organization. - The Commission shall have the following

offices in the Central Office: Office of the Chairperson, Offices of the Commissioners, Office of the Executive Director, Office of the Commission Secretary, Planning and Management Office, General Administration Office, Financial Management Office,

1 separate offices for the performance of its powers and functions, which shall include but not limited to offices for human rights protection services, human rights education and training services, human rights prevention and visitorial services, human rights policy advisory services, regional and provincial offices and such other offices as the 5 Commission may establish in accordance with its functions. The Commission shall have regional offices in every region, each of which shall be headed by a Regional Director and each shall have their own office building. The regional offices will include the geographically grouped regional offices and the Cordillera Administrative Region. The National Capital Region shall be divided into four (4) districts each shall also be headed by a District Director. The Commission shall also have a provincial office in every province. These Provincial Offices shall be under the direct supervision of the District Office having territorial jurisdiction over them. The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Commission and the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Commission En Banc, who shall have supervision and control of the said office. The Commission may affect changes in the organization as the need arises. Provided, that such reorganization shall be funded out of the personnel services appropriation of the Commission.

Sec. 13. Privileges and Emoluments of Commission Officials and Employees. -

All officials and employees of the Commission shall receive emoluments and privileges, which shall not be less than those given to their counterparts in Constitutional Commissions.

Sec. 14. Powers and Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall

promote and protect all human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, and shall have the following general powers and functions: a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of violations of human rights; b) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for contempt any person for violations thereof or its lawful orders and, for this purpose, the Rules of Court shall have suppletory application;

c) Provide appropriate legal and preventive measures, which include but are not limited to the following: 1) Legal assistance and counseling to victims; 2) Directing concerned government agencies in giving protection to victims of human rights violations; 3) Issuing cease and desist orders; Petition the Court for Writ of habeas corpus, Writ of Amparo, Writ of Habeas Data, Writ of Kalikasan, and any other protective writs, on behalf of the victims of human rights violations; and 4) Issue continuing mandamus for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines; d) Provide legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection. Clients needing legal assistance/representation may also be referred to the Public Attorney's Office or Legal Aid Offices, as may be necessary and appropriate; e) Exercise unannounced, unhampered, unrestricted visits over jails, prisons, camps, custodial or detention facilities, places of confinement, safe houses, and similar places of deprivation of liberty. Places of deprivation of liberty refer to any place of detention, imprisonment, confinement, or the placement of a person in a public or private custodial or rehabilitative setting under or within the jurisdiction and control of the Philippines where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty by virtue of an order given by a public authority, at his/her instigation, or with his/her consent or acquiescence; f) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights. The CHR shall coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA), the Legal Education Board, and other State Colleges and Universities to ensure the objective of above stated; g) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote and protect human rights;

h) Recommend effective measures to provide compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families; i) Monitor the Philippine government's compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights; j) Report to international human rights mechanism on all aspects relating to government's compliance with its treaty obligations; k) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority; 1) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions; m) Call on government departments, bureaus, offices or agencies to comply with its obligations under the international human rights obligations; n) Perform its Gender and Child Ombud roles, as well as to ensure that the status, rights, and interests of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, are upheld in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and international instruments on human rights; o) Issue human rights advisories, positions papers/opinion on all matters affecting the human rights of all persons, directed to concerned agencies of government for their consideration and implementation; p) Issue Human Rights Clearances and Certificates of No Pending Human Rights Case; q) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and r) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.

Sec. 15. Investigative Powers and Functions. - The Commission shall

investigate, on complaint or on its own, cases of human rights violations. In the exercise of its investigative function, the Commission shall: a) Act promptly on reports or complaints, filed in any form, by any individual or organization. Findings of human rights violations shall include recommendations for appropriate remedies, and referral to proper government agencies for the filing of administrative, criminal, or civil

actions. The recommendations may include proposals for legislative, administrative, or judicial reforms. The investigation and other proceedings conducted by any administrative, judicial, or quasi-judicial bodies shall not bar the investigation of the Commission on allegations of human rights violations and findings by the Commission must be given weight; b) Investigate alleged violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, and anti-terrorism law violations, as provided in pertinent laws; c) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, to place the witness under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas, and take testimony in any investigation or inquiry conducted by the Commission or any of its offices; d) Conduct forensic and medical sciences in making findings of human rights violations, including but not limited to collection of physical evidence from locations relevant to its investigation; assessment of living victims of human rights violations to determine their physical and mental well-being; and conduct an independent examination of the remains of alleged victims to document any injury and to determine cause and manner of death. Pursuant thereto, the Commission shall have the authority to exhume and conduct an autopsy on the aforesaid human remains, subject to the consent of the family of the deceased, if applicable; e) Provide psychosocial support, which includes but not limited to referral to primary health care centers with existing mental health programs to victims of human rights violations as well as human rights defenders under threat; f) Ensure provision of compensation for victims of human rights violations or their families, as appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and the circumstances of each case, resulting from gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law; g) Provide safety to witnesses, as well as human rights defenders under threat. For this purpose, the Commission shall implement and manage a Witness Protection Service, which will provide security, shelter, relocation, and livelihood assistance to witnesses and their families, until such time the

threat ceases, or when the case can be endorsed to the Department of Justice (DO)) and the witness, or person under threat qualifies for the latter's protection service; h) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its •7 authority; i) Cite for contempt of any person for violating the Commission's Rules of Procedures and lawful orders. In matters concerning contempt, the Rules of Court shall apply suppletory to the Rules of Procedures of the Commission; and j) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental for the effective exercise or conduct of its investigative powers.

Sec. 16. Visitorial powers. - The Commission or its duly authorized

representatives are hereby mandated and authorized to conduct regular, independent, unannounced, unhampered, and unrestricted visits to or inspection of all places of detention and confinement.

Sec. 17. Scope of Legal Measures. - To strengthen the exercise of its

investigatory power, the Commission, including its Regional and Provincial/District Offices, may issue the following legal measures as well as provisional remedies, which shall include, but not limited to: a) Mandatory Protection Orders (MPOs) directing government security forces and other government agencies or private institutions to provide specific protection to victims of and witnesses to human rights violations; b) Petition for the protection of the rights of persons, such as: a) Temporary liberty for medical examination (especially for sick and/ or pregnant persons deprived of liberty; and b) Such other legal remedies to correct government actions that encroach on or have the threat to violate human rights, such as petitions for certiorari, mandamus, and declaratory relief; c) Other remedies in relation to the protection of the rights of children such as, but not limited to:

a) Actions for protective custody of minors who are victims of violation of children's rights; b) Petitions for involuntary commitment, in coordination with the concerned social work and development office; and c) Petitions, motions, or pleadings to correct an error in the commitment, detention and/ or taking of custody of children in conflict with the law (CICL); d) Mediation between parties on issues that are and can be subject to settlement.

Sec. 18. Monitoring Functions. - In the exercise of its mandate to monitor the

Government's compliance with its international human rights obligations, the Commission shall: a) Monitor and advise the government on its responsibilities and obligations under international human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a signatory; b) Prepare its own independent reports to the UN, human rights treaty bodies, and other international human rights mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review and special procedures mechanisms, in relation to its monitoring of the government's compliance with its international human rights obligation; c) Make the appropriate recommendations to the concerned government agency with regard to requests for official visits of Special Procedures mandate-holders and other treaty and charter-based mechanisms; d) Recommend ratification of, or accession to, international human rights instruments, and ensure their implementation; e) Conduct inquiries on the maimer of implementation by the Government of specific human rights obligations; f) Request the cooperation of any public official on the measures undertaken by his or her agency to comply with the State's international human rights obligations; g) Coordinate with relevant government agencies in terms of its compliance with international human rights obligations; and

h) Undertake other activities as may be necessary in the conduct of its monitoring and reporting function as an NHRI.

Sec. 19. Other Monitoring Functions. - The Commission shall also monitor

4 observance by non-state actors of human rights obligations arising from international 5 and domestic laws or agreements entered into with the government, as well as unilateral declarations and similar undertakings. Violations of human rights committed by non-state actors that may be subject of the Commission's monitoring functions shall include, but not limited to: a) Those committed by rebel groups in relation to international humanitarian law; b) Those committed by persons, both natural and juridical, in relation to economic, social, and cultural rights, such as but not limited to labor, environment, and demolition of houses; and c) Those committed by individuals in relation to violations of rights and protections of marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors.

Sec. 20. Human Rights Education, Information and Advocacy. - The

Commission shall establish a continuing program of education and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights through its education and promotion office, in line with the 1987 Constitution, domestic laws, applicable treaty obligations of the Philippines, and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. The Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Education and Training Program for law enforcement officers, education and training institutions, and other government agencies in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of National Defense (DND), the DO], the DepEd, CHED, PHILJA, Legal Education Board (LEB), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and all other concerned agencies. Likewise, the Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Information Campaigns Program for civil society and the general public.

Sec. 21. Establishment of Human Rights Institute. - The Commission shall

establish a Human Rights Institute (HRI). It is an educational and training institute responsible for the promotion, and education of human rights and related fields, with in-house capability in these areas of specialization. The Institute shall focus on formal

1 education programs and shall offer certificate courses on human rights and related fields.

Sec. 22. Functions of the Human Rights Institute. - The Institute shall have the

following functions: a) Serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, lawyers, and other human rights workers in the government, human rights organizations, and civil society. For this purpose, it shall provide and implement curricula on human rights and shall conduct seminars, workshops, and other training programs designed to develop human rights knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors; b) Receive income, legacies, and donations for the benefit of its Human Rights Institute or for its support or maintenance, which shall be exempt from the payment of taxes and other fees and charges of the government, its branches and subdivisions, and which shall constitute a special fund to be administered and disbursed solely for the Institute; c) Enter into consortium agreements with other educational and training institutes for the development and implementation of its programs on human rights education; and d) Advise basic and higher education institutions and regulators on the teaching of human rights and related issues including recommending effective measures to promote human rights.

Sec. 23. Annual Report. - The Commission shall prepare and make public an

annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities with regard to the status of the government's compliance with its international human rights treaty obligations. The report shall include, but shall not be limited to the following: a) Recommendations for legal, legislative, and institutional reforms for the greater promotion and protection of human rights; and b) Adoption and implementation by the concerned government agency of the recommendations on the protection and promotion of human rights contained in the Commission's policy issuances and case and investigation resolutions.

The Commission shall directly submit its annual report to the Office of the President, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, for consideration of its recommendations.

Sec. 24. Financial Assistance Program. - The Commission may provide financial

5 assistance to victims of human rights violations and their families through a Financial 6 Assistance Program. The funds necessary for the initial implementation of the Financial Assistance Program shall be taken from the current year's appropriation of the Commission. 9 Thereafter, the funding requirement shall be included in the annual General 10 Appropriations Act.

Sec. 25. Legal Assistance Program. - The Commission shall maintain a Legal

12 Assistance Program to benefit underprivileged victims of human rights violations, 13 which may be in coordination with human rights organizations and lawyers' groups, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Public Attorney's Office, and Philippine law schools.

Sec. 26. Protection of Filipinos Abroad. - The Commission shall undertake

17 measures for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos living abroad in coordination and cooperation with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), or deputize Philippine Embassy or Consulate officers, resident private individuals of known probity and active involvement in human rights, or foreign-based human rights and migrant workers' non-government organizations in countries where the incidence of human rights violations against Filipinos is widespread and commonplace, including traditional host countries of overseas Filipino workers. The Commission may establish bilateral or multilateral relationships with other national human rights institutions for the protection of the human rights of Filipinos.

Sec. 27. Security of Data. - All documentation and information collected by the

Commission shall be kept strictly confidential unless the Commission decides otherwise in relation to a particular document: Provided, That no sensitive information, whether personal or otherwise, shall be published without the express consent of the individual or authority concerned: Provided further, That this provision shall be in accordance with all applicable existing and future laws, particularly, but not limited to, the Data

1 Privacy Act of 2012. Publication of sensitive information without the express consent 2 of the individual or authority concerned will be dealt with accordingly, which may include, but will not be limited to, being penalized under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Sec. 28. Protection from Criminal and Administrative Liability. - Any act or acts

made pursuant to the functions and powers conferred upon the Commission under this Act and other applicable laws, or in respect of any publication by or under the 7 authority of the Commission of any report, proceeding, or any other matter under this 8 Act, shall not be a ground for action, suit or other legal proceeding against any member or staff of the Commission. Any legal action filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or stifle any legal recourse that any member or staff of the Commission has taken, or may take, in the performance of their functions, under this Act and other applicable laws, if proven in court to have been filed for any of the aforementioned purposes, be immediately dismissed with prejudice and the court may award damages, attorney's fees, and costs 15 of suit under a counterclaim if such has been filed.

Sec. 29. Franking Privilege. - The Commission may transmit through ordinary

17 mail and/or registered mail with a return card, free of charge, all official communications and papers directly connected with the conduct of its duties, functions, or the exercise of administrative supervision over its personnel.

Sec. 30. Financial Report. - The Commission shall make available to the public

its annual financial statements and related financial reports as required by governing oversight agencies.

Sec. 31. Appropriations. - In addition to the regular appropriations of the

Commission, the sum of Two billion three hundred forty-six million pesos (P2,346,000,000.00) for the initial implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), in the year following its enactment into law. Thereafter, such sums, as may be necessary for the full implementation of this Act, shall be included in the annual GAA.

Sec. 32. Transitory Provisions. - Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the positions,

emoluments, security of tenure, qualifications, privileges, and benefits of the incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Commission, and the officers and employees of the Commission upon its effectivity. However, officials and employees

1 of the Commission, in aid of its reorganization upon the effectivity of this Act, may 2 avail of an early retirement program as may be provided for by the Commission.

Sec. 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission shall, within

4 sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, formulate the implementing rules and 5 regulations in the exercise of its general, investigative, monitoring, education, and 6 advocacy powers and functions in consultation with other concerned government 7 agencies and stakeholders.

Sec. 34. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act or part hereof

9 be declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

Sec. 35. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or

portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,