Strengthening the Internal Affairs Service (Ias) of the PNP

Sentate Difice of the relig TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session SENATE S.B. No. 1310 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS SERVICE (IAS) OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1998", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 5, Article Il of the 1987 Constitution provides that, "the maintenance of

peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy." The Philippine National Police (PNP) with its motto, "to serve and protect," plays a vital role in the government's effort to pursue the said sacred mandate. However, the PNP has been marred by accusations of graft and corruption and other irregularities, which necessitates a robust internal reform mechanism. The PNP's internal disciplinary mechanism, which utilizes a combination of preventive, punitive, and restorative approaches, has a long-standing "Zero Tolerance Policy" on misconduct. This ongoing commitment to address personnel misconduct and rehabilitation is evidenced by their data on disciplinary actions. From April 2024 to April 2025, the PNP reported that a total of 1,288 police officers were dismissed from service. Additionally, within the same period, 1,456 cops were suspended and 172 were demoted for various offenses out of 3,611 resolved cases. The appointment of PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on August 26, 2025 re-affirmed the institution's direction. He committed to strengthening the force through continuity of reforms, while focusing on crime prevention and integrity. The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) is the mandated institutional watchdog agency of the PNP, responsible for disciplining, monitoring, investigating, and adjudicating administrative cases of erring PNP personnel. This bill seeks to strengthen the IAS of the PNP with emphasis on fiscal autonomy, expanded adjudicatory powers and capacity building of its personnel. The proposed amendments will boost the

effectiveness of the IAS to implement a disciplinary mechanism on the PNP towards a common vision of maintaining an effective and upright police force. In view thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Iméé h. Maver IMÉE R. MARCOS

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular Session REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 25 AUG 28 P4:24, SENATE 1310 S.B. No. RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS SERVICE (IAS) OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8551, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE REFORM AND REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1998", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - The Philippine National Policy (PNP) plays an

important role in giving life to the mandate of the state of maintaining peace and order and in protecting life, liberty and property. The state recognizes the need to strengthen the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the PNP to be an effective disciplinary mechanism of the police force and preserve its integrity. Towards this end, there is a need to introduce reforms in the IAS by formulating and implementing a capacity- building program for its personnel, an upgraded recruitment process based on competency framework, an expanded adjudicatory powers, and fiscal autonomy.

Sec. 2. Mandate of the IAS. - The IAS shall be an independent, impartial,

effective, and efficient institutional guardian of integrity of the PNP. It shall be an essential part of the disciplinary mechanism of the PNP and shall be independent in all matters concerning the investigation and the discipline of uniformed personnel.

Sec. 3. Powers and Functions. - The IAS shall have the following powers and

functions: a) Pro-actively conduct inspections and audits on PNP personnel and units; b) Investigate complaints and gather evidence in support of an open investigation; c) Conduct summary hearings on PNP members facing administrative charges; d) Submit a periodic report on the assessment, analysis, and evaluation of the character and behavior of PNP personnel and units to the Chief PNP and the Commission;

e) File appropriate criminal cases against PNP members before the court as evidence warrants and assist in the prosecution of the case; f) Conduct intelligence operations in aid of lifestyle checks and investigations; g) Provide assistance to the Office of the Ombudsman in cases involving the personnel of the PNP; h) Recommend to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the protection of witnesses who are vital to the conduct of investigation and effective prosecution of PNP personnel facing administrative or criminal case. The IAS shall also conduct, motu proprio, automatic investigation of the following cases: a) Incidents where a police personnel discharges a firearm; b) Incidents where death, serious physical injury, or any violation of human rights occurred in the conduct of a police operation; c) Incidents where evidence was compromise, tampered with, obliterated, or lost while in the custody of police personnel; d) Incidents where a suspect in the custody of the police dies or is seriously injured; e) Incidents where the established rules of engagement have been violated; and f) All acts and omissions of PNP personnel which tend to discredit or tarnish the image of the PNP organization. Finally, the IAS shall provide documents or recommendations with regard to the promotion of the members of the PNP or the assignment of PNP personnel to any key position.

Sec. 4. Organization. - The IAS shall have national, regional, and provincial

offices. The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) may establish such other offices that are deemed necessary upon the recommendation of the Inspector General. The IAS shall be headed by an Inspector General with a rank equivalent to an undersecretary of a Department. He shall be assisted by a Deputy Inspector General with rank of Police Lieutenant General. The head of the IAS shall be a civilian who shall meet the requirements as provided herein. The regional offices shall be headed by a Director with a rank of Police Brigadier General, except for the Director of the National Capital Region (NCR) who shall be a Police Major General. The Provincial IAS offices shall be headed by a Police Colonel or a civilian of equivalent grade. Uniformed PNP personnel who joined or transferred to the IAS shall be barred thereafter from joining or being appointed to any position in other units of the PNP.

Sec. 5. Staffing Pattern, Personnel Strength, Logistics and Financial System. -

The lAS shall establish a rationalized staffing pattern in accordance with its organizational structure. It shall have a separate recruitment quota for uniformed personnel and non- uniformed personnel subject to the approval of the NAPOLCOM. It shall have an allocation quota from the graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). The authorized strength of IAS shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total strength of the PNP. The non-uniformed allocation shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of its strength. It shall have a separate financial and logistics management and services program subject to the approval of the NAPOLCOM.

Sec. 6. Capacity Building and Recruitment. - The IAS shall formulate and

implement a career development program for its personnel to be able to effectively carry out its tasks and functions. Such program shall include a test to determine the merit and fitness of its personnel to carry out the functions of their respective position. The IAS shall formulate an upgraded criteria and qualifications based on competency framework, subject to the approval of NAPOLCOM, to fill-in available positions.

Sec. 7. Optional Retirement. - Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this

Act, personnel of IAS may opt to retire or be separated from service and shall be entitled to any of the following applicable incentives: a) One hundred percent (100%) of the monthly basic salary for every year of government service computed starting from the first year for those who have rendered one (1) year to less than five (5) years of service; b) One hundred fifty percent (150%) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of government service computed starting from the first year for those who have rendered ten (5) years of service but less than (10) years; or c) Two (2) months of actual monthly basic salary for every year of government service computed starting from first year for those who have rendered ten (10) years or more of service. Personnel who are retired or are separated from the service shall not be reemployed in any agency of the National Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) for a period of five (5) years. The retired or separated personnel who are re-employed during the prohibited period shall refund, on a pro-rated basis, the separation incentives they received under this section.

Sec. 8. Appointments. - The Inspector General shall be appointed by the

President upon the recommendation of the Director General of the PNP and duly 42 endorsed by the NAPOLCOM. Appointments of personnel who shall occupy various

positions shall be made by the Inspector General and shall be based on criteria and qualifications to be promulgated pursuant to Sec. 6 of this Act.

Sec. 9. Term of Office and Qualifications the Inspector General. - The Inspector

General shall serve for a term of seven (7) years without reappointment or extension. No person shall be appointed as Inspector General unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a member of the Philippine bar in good standing with at least fifteen (15) years in the practice of law and with proven competence and expertise in handling administrative or criminal cases, and not an active or retired member of the PNP.

Sec. 10. Entry Qualifications to IAS. - Entry or transfer to the IAS shall be

voluntary and subject to rigid screening, where only PNP personnel who have at least five (5) years' experience in law enforcement, police investigation and intelligence, and who have no derogatory service records shall be considered for appointment: Provided, That members of the Bar may enter the service laterally.

Sec. 11. Rules of Procedure. - The IAS shall formulate and adopt its own rules

and procedure in the hearing and resolution of cases filed or pending before it. Subject to the requirements of due process, the technicalities of law and procedure and the rules obtaining in the courts of law shall not strictly apply thereto.

Sec. 12. Decision of the IAS. - Where the penalty imposed is dismissal, demotion

or suspension for a period exceeding ninety (90) days, or forfeiture of benefits equivalent to more than ninety (90) days' pay, the decision of the IAS, with respect to second (2nd) level officers of the PNP, shall be executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of the notice of decision by the respondent, without prejudice to the filing of an appeal. Such decision of the IAS as regards first (1st) level officers of the PNP shall be executory after fifteen (15) days from the notice of denial of the motion for reconsideration by the Office of the Chief PNP, without prejudice to the filing of an appeal. Where the penalty imposed is suspension for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days, or forfeiture of benefits not exceeding ninety (90) days' pay, the decision shall be final and executory. Any head of the PNP unit/office who fails to implement the decisions of the IAS, within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof, or who acts with abuse of discretion, shall be liable for gross neglect of duty. Where a PNP member is convicted of a charge imposed with a penalty of demotion in rank, he/she shall be ineligible for promotion for a period of three (3) years from the effectivity thereof. Where the penalty imposed is suspension for a period of more than thirty (30) days but not exceeding ninety (90) days, he/she shall be ineligible for promotion for a period of two (2) years from the effectivity thereof.

Where the penalty imposed is suspension not exceeding thirty (30) days, he/she shall be ineligible for promotion for a period of one (1) year from the effectivity thereof.

Sec. 13. Source of Funds. - The appropriations for the Office of the IAS shall be

presented as a specific item in the budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the Annual Appropriations Act.

Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) calendar days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DILG, NAPOLCOM, and the PNP shall jointly formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this

Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof not otherwise affected shall remain valid and in full force and effect.

Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees or

issuances, presidential proclamations, letters of instruction, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

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