Philippine National Police (PNP) Modernization and Capability Enhancement Act

Offer ei! TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 29 P1:10 First Regular Session RECE S.B. No. . SENAT SA Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION AND CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XVI, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a national police commission. The authority of local executives over the police units in their jurisdiction shall be provided by law." Accordingly, the Philippine National Police was created under Republic Act No. 6975 or the "Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990", with the mandate to enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties and to maintain peace and order to ensure public safety, among others. Nearly three decades after, the country is now confronted with various permutations of crimes and serious threats against national security, employing exceedingly sophisticated modes of planning and execution, surely not the kind yet contemplated when Republic Act No. 6975 was enacted into law. As of February 2025, the Philippine National Policy - Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) has responded to eight (8) kidnapping cases all involving foreign nationals. Oversight and investigative focus have intensified due to the high-profile nature of these cases. Further, according to the PNP, the nationwide crime rate dropped by 22.53% from 01 January to 13 June 2025. This measure to seeks to further modernize the PNP to a level where it can effectively and efficiently perform its constitutional mandate to promote peace and order, ensure public safety, as well as to effectively carry out its mandate of police law enforcement. The measure seeks to enhance various components of the PNP by upgrading its infrastructure and capability development. More importantly, the measure

also includes human resources and doctrine development, in an effort to emphasize its core values - "maka-Diyos, maka-Bayan, maka-tao, at maka-kalikasan." For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. Imee h. Marca IMÉE R. MARCOS /

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES P1:10 First Regular Session 25 JUL 29 SENATE S.B. No. - RECEIVED Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION AND CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 "Philippine National

Police (PNP) Modernization and Capability Enhancement Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

modernize the Philippine National Police (PNP) to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to promote peace and order, ensure public safety and internal security as well as to effectively carry out its mandate of police law enforcement. Towards this end, the State shall develop the capability of the PNP with a view of transforming it into a highly efficient, capable and competent police force with a service-oriented culture among its ranks based on integrity and love of country. The PNP shall uphold protect human rights. The modernization of the PNP shall consist of the following: a. The acquisition and upgrading of basic police equipment and law enforcement facilities; b. The acquisition, construction improvement and upgrading of buildings, facilities and/or offices as centers or headquarters for police operations in local government units; c. The acquisition and upgrading of appropriate technology and equipment; d. The undertaking of reforms in the recruitment, training, employment, and management of PNP personnel; and e. The development, validation or modification of PNP doctrines.

SEC. 3. PNP Modernization Thrusts. - As used in this Act, the term

"modernization" shall be understood to mean the state of being enlivened or the condition of achieving a dynamic level of performing police functions, law enforcement operations, and frontline public safety services, and pursuing modern approaches against criminality with the end view of establishing and maintaining for all people a safe, secure, orderly, peaceful, and prosperous nation. Towards this aspiration, the PNP shall pursue the following modernization thrusts: a) Fill-up of basic equipage and construction of standard police stations and offices nationwide; b) Acquisition of modern equipage; c) Adoption of secured, modern, artificial intelligence (Al)-driven, real-time information and communications technology (ICT) systems to modernize and integrate police administration and operations; d) Strengthening of police coordination and cooperation with the citizenry, local governments, public safety agencies, other law enforcement agencies and pillars of the criminal justice system, and the regional and international police communities; and e) Enhancing law enforcement approach and intensified operations against transnational crime and emerging forms of criminality, insurgency, terrorism, and other serious threats to national security.

SEC. 4. Components of the Modernization and Capability Enhancement

Program. - The PNP modernization thrusts shall be realized through the implementation of a Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program. The Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program shall consist of the following components: 1) Human Resources Development - This pertains to the professionalization of its human resources, the transformation of its personnel into pro-country, pro-people, pro-environment and pro-God proponents with a high level of spiritual and moral values and sincere regard for human rights. 2) Doctrine Development - This requires the rationalization of systems, standards and procedures in the administration of the PNP. Thus, towards this end, the National Police Commission and the Office of the Chief PNP shall be responsible for the generation, evaluation, consolidation and formalization of doctrines, and the conduct of periodic review of doctrines through field application, testing and exercises as well as dissemination of approved doctrines at all levels of command. 3) Infrastructure and Facilities Development - The objectives of this component are:

A. Establishment of Standard Infrastructure and Basic Facilities i. Construction and upgrading of standard infrastructure that are accessible and suited to the peculiar topography of or weather conditions in the area, with provision for adequate perimeter fencing; ii. Construction and upgrading of basic facilities for administrative, investigative, and operational functions, such as: crime laboratory; evidence rooms; storage rooms; records rooms; appropriate custodial facilities; communications systems; research and development centers; training institutions; hospitals and dispensaries for delivery of medical and dental services; and quartering and barracks facilities, in accordance with approved camp master development plans; and ili. Construction and upgrading of facilities to provide repair and maintenance works, such as: regional or provincial motor pool and maintenance facilities for other mobility assets. B. Construction and upgrading of facilities to support regulatory functions; C. Development, procurement, and management of ICT systems and automated systems to ensure integration and effective coordination; and D. Real estate acquisition, titling, and management. 4) Equipment Acquisition and Upgrading - The objectives of this component are judicious procurement, filling-up of basic equipage, and acquisition of modern equipage for enhanced PNP capabilities, such as: munitions and ordnance; firepower and weapons; transportation and mobility assets; communication, intelligence, investigative and forensic equipment.

SEC. 5. Standard of Modernization. - In preparing and implementing the Police

Capability Enhancement Program, the standard test to indicate modernity is the possession of latest attributes or innovative qualities of infrastructure, facilities, and equipment, over and above the basic and standard features. This would enable the PNP to better adapt to the needs of the present time, add value to services delivered, and achieve increased citizen satisfaction with the police. In endeavoring to modernize police infrastructure and facilities, the primary consideration shall be developing capabilities for command and direction, tactical and strategic control, effective communication, robust ICT and automated systems

1 network, upholding the human rights and rule of law, and sustained police-community- 2 relations. The acquisition of modern equipment shall be based on the results of operational needs assessment. For the purposes of this Act, the term "operational needs assessment" refers to the mandatory periodic evaluation of materiel and logistical capabilities with the end view of identifying deficiencies or limitations in existing resources and addressing significant impediments in achieving operational tasks and attaining organizational mission, through equipment acquisition.

SEC. 6. Direct Negotiation. - The Chief of the PNP may directly negotiate with

an agency or instrumentality of another country with which the Philippines has entered into a defense cooperation agreement or mutual logistics support and services and law enforcement and security cooperation agreement with, or otherwise maintains diplomatic relations, when the procurement involves modern equipage for enhanced PNP capabilities, upon concurrence of the following requisites: 1) the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government/Chairman of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has deemed it necessary for the maintenance of peace and order, ensuring public safety, or curbing transnational crime; emerging forms of criminality; terrorism, insurgency, and other serious threats to national security; 2) the expertise or capability required is not locally available; and 3) the police equipment, law enforcement and security equipment, and related consultancy services to be procured under this modality are included in the PNP's Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program, prepared in accordance with Section 7 of this Act.

SEC. 7. Submission of the PNP Modernization Program. - Within ninety (90)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chief of the PNP, in consultation with the Chairperson of the NAPOLCOM and the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall prepare a Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program. After consultation, the Chief of the PNP shall submit the Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program to the NAPOLCOM, which shall endorse the same to Congress, through the Congressional Oversight Committee created under this Act, for monitoring and overseeing. The Program shall indicate the following:

a. The police organizational structure and staffing pattern, authorized personnel strength, and logistics and facilities inventory during the various Implementation stages; b. The capability enhancement programs, activities, and projects to be undertaken vis-a-vis the particular component and corresponding objectives and modernization thrusts they relate to; c. The priorities, schedules, and phases of implementation of the capability enhancement projects and activities; d. The estimated average cost of each project or activity to be undertaken; and e. The infrastructure and equipment acquisition, modernization, and human resource development of the NAPOLCOM.

SEC. 8. Priority Programs for Modernization. - In the performance of its duties

and functions mandated by law, the PINP shall undertake the Modernization Program in the context of its strategic plans and programs and consistent with Sections 2 and 3 of this Act, and shall specifically gear towards preventing and solving crimes and addressing new threats to national security, including cybercrime and violent extremism. The following areas shall thereafter be given priority: a. Community-Oriented Policing System (COPS) - The rationalization of the police operations into a pro-active and community oriented policing system. b. Criminal Investigation - The enhancement of legal and scientific criminal investigation utilizing improved crime laboratory techniques, methodologies and responsive procedures. C. Beat Patrol - The improved patrol coverage through acquisition and upgrading of communications equipment and mobility equipage to improve response time and enhance crime prevention. d. Civil Disturbance Control - The development of civil disturbance doctrines consistent with the constitutional and statutory provisions on human rights as well as the acquisition of equipment and devices to Implement these doctrines. e. Anti-Terrorists Operations - The promotion and utilization of the multilateral exchange of information with other police organizations, to include the improvement of its institutional capabilities to deal with terrorist activities as may be defined by law.

f. Disaster Response and Rescue Operations - The improvement of the institutional capabilities to respond to all types of disasters or national emergencies. g. Aerial Surveillance and Air Transport - The acquisition and upgrading of a modest air transport capability to convey its personnel and supplies over the entire length and breadth of the archipelago. This will necessitate the acquisition of multi-role aircrafts to function on public order and safety services such as observation, surveillance, detection, among others. h. Illegal Drugs Suppression - The development of its capability in the enforcement of laws relating to drug abuse and the increased coverage in illegal drugs suppression operations. i. Intelligence Operations - The development and enhancement of the capability for information collection, processing and dissemination. j. Maritime Patrol - The upgrading of the capability to conduct operations against illegal activities in rivers and coastal maritime areas such as illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling, illegal smuggling of contraband and the like. It shall include the enhancement of the capability to perform duties on maritime environmental protection and ecological security. k. Firearms Control - The development and enhancement of a comprehensive firearms control regulation mechanism to address the proliferation of unlicensed and illegal firearms.

SEC. 9. Self-Reliance Program. - To implement its modernization, the PNP shall

give preference to Filipino contractors and suppliers and secondly to foreign contractors or suppliers willing or able to locate a substantial portion of, if not the entire production process of the items) involved, within the Philippines: Provided, That the PNP shall first determine and publish the minimum requirements and standards for products, equipment and technology before contract negotiation or bidding; Provided, further. That such product, equipment and technology standards shall conform to established standards in the international community. In order to generate local employment opportunities an enhance technology transfer to the Philippines and to minimize foreign exchange outflow, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, shall as far as feasible incorporate in each contract or agreement, special foreign exchange reduction schemes such as countertrade, in- country manufacture, co-production, or other innovative arrangements or combinations thereof. The PNP shall likewise ensure that in negotiating applicable contracts or 40 agreements, provisions are incorporated respecting the transfer to the PNP of the 41 principal technology involved as well as the training of the PNP personnel to operate and maintain such equipment or technology.

SEC. 10. Procurement System. - In addition to the provisions of existing laws,

rules and regulations regarding procurement and acquisition of real estate, buildings, facilities and equipment, the PNP shall strengthen said systems and procedures taking into consideration the following policies and procedures: a. The PNP shall give preference to qualified domestic entities that participated in the procurement activities of the PNP; and b. The PNP Uniform and Equipment Standardization Board shall determine the specific standards for items, products, equipment, and technology to be submitted for approval of the National Police Commission. Except for justifiable circumstances, all specifications submitted to the National Police Commission shall be acted upon within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof. Otherwise, it shall be deemed as duly approved. All items, products, equipment, and technology standards must be responsive to the needs and requirements of the PNP.

SEC. 11. Period of Implementation. - The Modernization and Capability

Enhancement Program under this Act shall be implemented within ten (10) years. Provided, That payments for amortization of outstanding multi-year contract obligations incurred under the PNP Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program may be extended beyond this period.

SEC. 12. Appropriations for the Modernization and Capability Enhancement

Program. - The amount necessary to support the capability enhancement programs, activities and projects under the Program in relation to Section 7 shall be appropriated by Congress. Under the Program, an amount of at least Forty Billion Pesos (Php 40,000,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the first two (2) years of implementation, for basic equipage fill-up and establishment standard infrastructure and basic facilities. Provided, That, Eleven Billion, Two Hundred Fifty Million Pesos (Php 11,250,000,000.00) shall be appropriated every year thereafter. Provided, further, That, the entire Program shall be based on a ceiling of One Hundred Thirty Billion Pesos (Php 130,000,000,000.00) budget requirement, for the full period of implementation. Whenever deemed necessary, in order to expedite full implementation of the program, the Chief of the PiNP may, subject to the approval of the President, ano consistent with the provisions of existing laws, including the Commission on Audit rules and regulations, under such terms and conditions most favorable to the government, enter into multi-year contracts and other contractual arrangements.

The Chief of the PNP shall submit to the Congressional Oversight Committee, the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, and the Secretary of the Department of Finance, copies of these multi-year contracts and other contractual arrangements to enable Congress to appropriate funds. For this purpose. Congress shall, upon issuance of a multi-year obligation authority by the Department of Budget and Management and certification by the President, make the corresponding appropriations for the ensuing fiscal years, to cover multi-year obligations. Appropriations to support the Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program shall be treated as distinct and separate budget items from the regular appropriations for the PNP.

SEC. 13. Tax Treatment on PNP Purchases and Importation. - All internal

revenue tax and duty obligations from the purchase and importation of munitions and ordnance, firepower and weapons, transportation and mobility assets, communication, intelligence, investigative and forensic equipment, and other equipment by the PNP, under the Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program, where such acquisition directly and exclusively relates to the performance of its police and law enforcement functions, or may be needed in public transactions, or in the pursuit of any government undertaking, shall be chargeable to the tax expenditure fund provided in the General Appropriations Act. Donations made to the PNP to be used actually, directly, and exclusively for its modernization and capability enhancement program shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income of the donor for purposes of computing taxable income in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. Likewise, donations from foreign sources shall be exempt from value-added tax and customs duties.

SEC. 14. Local Government Support Through Local Development Plans. - In

the formulation of their respective socio-economic local development programs, all provincial, city, and municipal development councils shall allocate in their comprehensive land use plans such adequate, suitable, and accessible lands for the establishment of basic police infrastructure and support facilities within their areas of jurisdiction. Regional Development Councils shall ensure that allocation of such lands for use of local police forces and other police support units are included in the approved socioeconomic local development programs of provinces and cities prior to integration into their respective Regional Development Plans and subsequent submission to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).

Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chief of the PNP shall submit to the NAPOLCOM such guidelines and parameters governing the allocation of land for the police, for approval and implementation. In effecting land allocation for local police forces and other police support units, local government units may exercise the inherent power of eminent domain, in accordance with existing laws.

SEC. 15. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby created a

Congressional Oversight Committee to receive the Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program of the Chief of the PNP, as endorsed by the NAPOLCOM, for information, monitoring, and overseeing of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate President. It shall be composed of four (4) members from the House of Representatives and four (4) members from the Senate with the Chairpersons of the Committee on Public Order and Safety and the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs of each Chamber, respectively, as Joint Chairpersons. The three (3) other members, representing the House of Representatives shall be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, while the three (3) other members from the Senate shall be designated by the Senate President. Provided that, the Minority shall have at least one (1) representative from both Chambers. The Oversight Committee shall regularly monitor and oversee the implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 16. Program Modification. - In the exigency of service or whenever

necessary to address unforeseen emergencies to curb transnational crime, emerging forms of criminality, insurgency, terrorism and other serious threats to national security, or to satisfy delivery of public safety services, the Chief of the PNP may modify, through substitution or revision, a component project in the Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program, subject to the favorable endorsement of the NAPOLCOM, and upon the approval of the President of the Philippines. Within thirty (30) days from such approval, the Chief of the PNP shall report such program modification to Congress, through the Congressional Oversight Committee.

SEC. 17. Annual Reports. - No later than the end of the first quarter of every

year of implementation, the PNP shall submit to the President and Congress, through the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and the Chairman of the National Police Commission an annual report containing the progress of the implementation of the PNP modernization program under this Act.

SEC. 18. Sunset Review. - After five (5) years following its effectivity, or as the

need arises, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a sunset review of this Act, to systematically evaluate the implementation and accomplishments under the Modernization and Capability Enhancement Program and its impact on the PNP

organizational structure, institutional mechanisms, and performance of functions, for purposes of determining and effecting remedial legislation.

SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

the approval of this Act, the PNP, in consultation with the NAPOLCOM and the DBM, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the law.

SEC. 20. 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. 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or

other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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