International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. –The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights for which highest priority shall be given to the enactment of measures for the enhancement of the right of all people to human dignity, the prohibition against secret detention places, solitary confinement, incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention, the provision for penal and civil sanctions for such violations, and compensation and rehabilitation for the victims and their families, particularly with respect to the use of torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation or any other means which vitiate the free will of persons abducted, arrested, detained, disappeared or otherwise removed from the effective protection of the law.

Furthermore, the State adheres to the principles and standards on the absolute condemnation of human rights violations set by the 1987 Philippine Constitution and various international instruments such as, but not limited to, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), to which the Philippines is a State party.

SEC. 3. Definitions. –For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

(a) Agents of the State refer to persons who, by direct provision of the law, popular election or appointment by competent authority, shall take part in the performance of public functions in the government, or shall perform in the government or in any of its branches public duties as an employee, agent or subordinate official, of any rank or class.

(b) Enforced or involuntary disappearance refers to the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty committed by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which places such person outside the protection of the law.

(c) Order of Battle refers to a document made by the military, police or any law enforcement agency of the government, listing the names of persons and organizations that it perceives to be enemies of the State and which it considers as legitimate targets as combatants that it could deal with, through the use of means allowed by domestic and international law.

(d) Victim refers to the disappeared person and any individual who has suffered harm as a direct result of an enforced or involuntary disappearance as defined in letter (b) of this Section.

SEC. 4. Nonderogability of the Right Against Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance. –The right against enforced or involuntary disappearance and the fundamental safeguards for its prevention shall not be suspended under any circumstance including political instability, threat of war, state of war or other public emergencies.

SEC. 5. “Order of Battle” or Any Order of Similar Nature, Not Legal Ground, for Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance. – An “Order of Battle” or any order of similar nature, official or otherwise, from a superior officer or a public authority causing the commission of enforced or involuntary disappearance is unlawful and cannot be invoked as a justifying or exempting circumstance. Any person receiving such an order shall have the right to disobey it.

SEC. 6. Right of Access to Communication. – It shall be the absolute right of any person deprived of liberty to have immediate access to any form of communication available in order for him or her to inform his or her family, relative, friend, lawyer or any human rights organization on his or her whereabouts and condition.

SEC. 7. Duty to Report Victims of Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance. – Any person, not being a principal, accomplice or accessory, who has an information of a case of enforced or involuntary disappearance or who shall learn of such information or that a person is a victim of enforced or involuntary disappearance, shall immediately report in writing the circumstances and whereabouts of the victim to any office, detachment or division of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of National Defense (DND), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the City or Provincial Prosecutor, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) or any human rights organization and, if known, the victim’s family, relative, or lawyer.

SEC. 8. Duty to Certify in Writing on the Results of Inquiry into a Reported Disappeared Person’s Whereabouts. –In case a family member, relative, lawyer, representative of a human rights organization or a member of the media inquires with a member or official of any police or military detention center, the PNP or any of its agencies, the AFP or any of its agencies, the NBI or any other agency or instrumentality of the government, as well as any hospital or morgue, public or private, on the presence or whereabouts of a reported victim of enforced or involuntary disappearance, such member or official shall immediately issue a certification in writing to the inquiring person or entity on the presence or absence and/or information on the whereabouts of such disappeared person, stating, among others, in clear and unequivocal manner the date and time of inquiry, details of the inquiry and the response to the inquiry.

SEC. 9. Duty of Inquest/Investigating Public Prosecutor or any Judicial or Quasi-Judicial Official or Employee. –Any inquest or investigating public prosecutor, or any judicial or quasi-judicial official or employee who learns that the person delivered for inquest or preliminary investigation or for any other judicial process is a victim of enforced or involuntary disappearance shall have the duty to immediately disclose the victim’s whereabouts to his or her immediate family, relatives, lawyer/s or to a human rights organization by the most expedient means.

SEC. 10. Official Up-to-Date Register of All Persons Detained or Confined. - All persons detained or confined shall be placed solely in officially recognized and controlled places of detention or confinement where an official up-to-date register of such persons shall be maintained. Relatives, lawyers, judges, official bodies and all persons who have legitimate interest in the whereabouts and condition of the persons deprived of liberty shall have free access to the register.

The following details, among others, shall be recorded, in the register:

(a) The identity or name, description and address of the person deprived of liberty;

(b) The date, time and location where the person was deprived of liberty and the identity of the person who made such deprivation of liberty;

(c) The authority who decided the deprivation of liberty and the reasons for the deprivation of liberty or the crime or offense committed;

(d) The authority controlling the deprivation of liberty;

(e) The place of deprivation of liberty, the date and time of admission to the place of deprivation of liberty and the authority responsible for the place of deprivation of liberty;

(f) Records of physical, mental and psychological condition of the detained or confined person before and after the deprivation of liberty and the name and address of the physician who examined him or her physically, mentally and medically;

(g) The date and time of release or transfer of the detained or confined person to another place of detention, the destination and the authority responsible for the transfer;

(h) The date and time of each removal of the detained or confined person from his or her cell, the reason or purpose for such removal and the date and time of his or her return to his or her cell;

(i) A summary of the physical, mental and medical findings of the detained or confined person after each interrogation;

(j) The names and addresses of the persons who visit the detained or confined person and the date and time of such visits and the date and time of each departure;

(k) In the event of death during the deprivation of liberty, the identity, the circumstances and cause of death of the victim as well as the destination of the human remains; and

(1) All other important events bearing on and all relevant details regarding the treatment of the detained or confined person.

Provided, That the details required under letters (a) to (f) shall be entered immediately in the register upon arrest and/or detention.

All information contained in the register shall be regularly or upon request reported to the CHR or any other agency of government tasked to monitor and protect human rights and shall be made available to the public.

SEC. 11. Submission of List of Government Detention Facilities. –Within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act and as may be requested by the CHR thereafter, all government agencies concerned shall submit an updated inventory or list of all officially recognized and controlled detention or confinement facilities, and the list of detainees or persons deprived of liberty under their respective jurisdictions to the CHR.

SEC. 12. Immediate Issuance and Compliance of the Writs of Habeas Corpus, Amparo and Habeas Data. – All proceedings pertaining to the issuance of the writs of habeas corpus, amparo and habeas data shall be dispensed with expeditiously. As such, all courts and other concerned agencies of government shall give priority to such proceedings.

Moreover, any order issued or promulgated pursuant to such writs or their respective proceedings shall be executed and complied with immediately.

SEC. 13. Visitation /Inspection of Places of Detention and, Confinement. –The CHR or its duly authorized representatives are hereby mandated and authorized to conduct regular, independent, unannounced and unrestricted visits to or inspection of all places of detention and confinement.

SEC. 14. Liability of Commanding Officer or Superior. - The immediate commanding officer of the unit concerned of the AFP or the immediate senior official of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies shall be held liable as a principal to the crime of enforced or involuntary disappearance for acts committed by him or her that shall have led, assisted, abetted or allowed, whether directly or indirectly, the commission thereof by his or her subordinates. If such commanding officer has knowledge of or, owing to the circumstances at the time, should have known that an enforced or involuntary disappearance is being committed, or has been committed by subordinates or by others within the officer’s area of responsibility and, despite such knowledge, did not take preventive or coercive action either before, during or immediately after its commission, when he or she has the authority to prevent or investigate allegations of enforced or involuntary disappearance but failed to prevent or investigate such allegations, whether deliberately or due to negligence, shall also be held liable as principal.

SEC. 15. Penal Provisions. – (a) The penalty of reclusion perpetua and its accessory penalties shall be imposed upon the following persons:

(1) Those who directly committed the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance;

(2) Those who directly forced, instigated, encouraged or induced others to commit the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance;

(3) Those who cooperated in the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance by committing another act without which the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance would not have been consummated;

(4) Those officials who allowed the act or abetted in the consummation of enforced or involuntary disappearance when it is within their power to stop or uncover the commission thereof; and

(5) Those who cooperated in the execution of the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance by previous or simultaneous acts.

(b) The penalty of reclusion temporal and its accessory penalties shall be imposed upon those who shall commit the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance in the attempted stage as provided for and defined under Article 6 of the Revised Penal Code.

(c) The penalty of reclusion temporal and its accessory penalties shall also be imposed upon persons who, having knowledge of the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance and without having participated therein, either as principals or accomplices, took part subsequent to its commission in any of the following manner:

(1) By themselves profiting from or assisting the offender to profit from the effects of the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance;

(2) By concealing the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance and/or destroying the effects or instruments thereof in order to prevent its discovery; or

(3) By harboring, concealing or assisting in the escape of the principal/s in the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance, provided such accessory acts are done with the abuse of official functions.

(d) The penalty of prision correctional and its accessory penalties shall be imposed against persons who defy, ignore or unduly delay compliance with any order duly issued or promulgated pursuant to the writs of habeas corpus, amparo and habeas data or their respective proceedings.

(e) The penalty of arresto mayor and its accessory penalties shall be imposed against any person who shall violate the provisions of Sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of this Act.

SEC. 16. Preventive Suspension/Summary Dismissal. –Government officials and personnel who are found to be perpetrators of or participants in any manner in the commission of enforced or involuntary disappearance as a result of a preliminary investigation conducted for that purpose shall be preventively suspended or summarily dismissed from the service, depending on the strength of the evidence so presented and gathered in the said preliminary investigation or as may be recommended by the investigating authority.

SEC. 17. Civil Liability. –The act of enforced or involuntary disappearance shall render its perpetrators and the State agencies which organized, acquiesced in or tolerated such disappearance liable under civil law.

SEC. 18. Independent Liability. –The criminal liability of the offender under this Act shall be independent of or without prejudice to the prosecution and conviction of the said offender for any violation of Republic Act No. 7438, otherwise known as “An Act Defining Certain Rights of Person Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation as well as the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining, and Investigating Officers, and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof’; Republic Act No. 9745, otherwise known as “An Act Penalizing Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and Prescribing Penalties Therefor”; and applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

SEC. 19. Nonexclusivity or Double Jeopardy Under International Law. – Any investigation, trial and decision in any Philippines court, or body for any violation of this Act shall; be without prejudice to any investigation, trial, decision or any other legal or administrative process before any appropriate international court or agency under applicable international human rights and humanitarian law.

SEC. 20. Exemption from Prosecution. – Any offender who volunteers information that leads to the discovery of the victim of enforced or involuntary disappearance or the prosecution of the offenders without the victim being found shall be exempt from any criminal and/or civil liability under this Act: Provided, That said offender does not appear to be the most guilty.

SEC. 21. Continuing Offense. – An act constituting enforced or involuntary disappearance shall be considered a continuing offense as long as the perpetrators continue to conceal the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared person and such circumstances have not been determined with certainty.

SEC. 22. Statue of Limitations Exemption. – The prosecution of persons responsible for enforced or involuntary disappearance shall not prescribe unless the victim surfaces alive. In which case, the prescriptive period shall be twenty-five (25) years from the date of such reappearance.

SEC. 23. Special Amnesty Law Exclusion. – Persons who are changed with and/or guilty of the act of enforced or involuntary disappearance shall not benefit from any special amnesty law or other similar executive measures that shall exempt them from any penal proceedings or sanctions.

SEC. 24. State Protection – The State, through its appropriate agencies, shall ensure the safety of all persons involved in the search, investigation and prosecution of enforced or involuntary disappearance including, but not limited to, the victims, their families, complainants, witnesses, legal counsel and representatives of human rights organizations and media. They shall likewise be protected from any intimidation or reprisal.

SEC. 25. Applicability of Refouler. –No person shall be expelled, returned or extradited to another State where there are substantial grounds to believe that such person shall be in danger of being subjected to enforced or involuntary disappearance. For purposes of determining whether such grounds exist, the Secretary of the Department, of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in coordination with the Chairperson of the CHR, shall take into account all relevant considerations including where applicable and not limited to, the existence in the requesting State of a consistent pattern of gross, flagrant or mass violations of human rights.

SEC. 26. Restitution and Compensation to Victims of Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance and/or Their Immediate Relatives. –The victims of enforced or involuntary disappearance who surface alive shall be entitled to monetary compensation, rehabilitation and restitution of honor and reputation. Such restitution of honor and reputation shall include immediate expunging or rectification of any derogatory record, information or public declaration/statement on his or her person, personal circumstances, status, and/or organizational affiliation by the appropriate government or private agency or agencies concerned.

The immediate relatives of a victim of enforced or involuntary disappearance, within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, may also claim for compensation as provided for under Republic Act No. 7309, entitled “An Act Creating a Board of Claims under the Department of Justice for Victims of Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims of Violent Crimes and For Other Purposes”, and other relief programs of the government.

The package of indemnification for both the victims and the immediate relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall be without prejudice to other legal remedies that may be available to them.

SEC. 27. Rehabilitation of Victims and/or Their Immediate Relatives, and Offenders. – In order that the victims of enforced or involuntary disappearance who surfaced alive and/or their immediate relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, may be effectively reintegrated into the mainstream of society and in the process of development, the State, through the CHR, in coordination with the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the concerned nongovernment organization/s, shall provide them with appropriate medical care and rehabilitation free of charge.

Toward the attainment of restorative justice, a parallel rehabilitation program for persons who have committed enforced or involuntary disappearance shall likewise be implemented without cost to such offenders.

SEC. 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOJ, the DSWD, the CHR, the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) and the Families of Desaparecidos for Justice (Desaparecidos), in consultation with other human rights organizations, shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act and shall ensure the full dissemination of the same to the public.

SEC. 29. Suppletory Applications. – The applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code shall have suppletory application insofar as they are consistent with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 30. Appropriations. –The amount of Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act by the CHR. Subsequent fluids for the continuing implementation of this Act shall be included in the respective budgets of the CHR and the DOJ in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 31. Separability Clause. –If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 32. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 33. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette, which shall not be later than seven (7) days after the approval thereof.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker of the House
of Representatives

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE
President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2817 and House Bill No. 98 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on October 16, 2012.

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Secretary of the Senate

Approved: DEC 21 2012

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

Source: Supreme Court E-Library

Senate Bill

S. No. 2817

House Bill

H. No. 98

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Bill Note

Senate Bill First in Billing

Legislative History

Entitled:

AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCE

[ FIRST REGULAR SESSION, 15TH CONGRESS ]

[ 2011 ]

5/11/2011 Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committee(s) on JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS and CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, REVISION OF CODES AND LAWS with Senator(s) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO, MANNY VILLAR, MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO and FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN as author(s) per Committee Report No. 36, recommending its approval in substitution of SBNos. 100, 1226, 1455 and 2176;

5/16/2011 Committee Report Calendared for Ordinary Business;

5/16/2011 Sponsor: Senator FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO;

5/16/2011 Transferred from the Calendar for Ordinary Business to the Calendar for Special Order;

5/16/2011 Sponsorship speech of Senator FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO;

5/23/2011 Senator RAMON A. REVILLA JR. was made as coauthor;

6/8/2011 Interpellation of Senator MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO;

6/8/2011 Period of interpellation closed;

6/8/2011 Period of committee amendments;

6/8/2011 Period of committee amendments closed;

6/8/2011 Period of individual amendments closed;

6/8/2011 Approved on Second Reading with Amendments;

6/14/2011 Printed copies were distributed to the Senators;

[ SECOND REGULAR SESSION, 15TH CONGRESS ]

7/26/2011 Approved on Third Reading;

7/26/2011 In favor: (15) EDGARDO J. ANGARA, JOKER P. ARROYO, PIA S. CAYETANO, FRANKLIN M. DRILON, JINGGOY P. EJERCITO-ESTRADA, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, TEOFISTO "TG" GUINGONA III, GREGORIO B. HONASAN II, PANFILO M. LACSON, MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID, LOREN B. LEGARDA, RAMON A. REVILLA JR., VICENTE C. SOTTO III, MANNY B. VILLAR and JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI;

7/26/2011 Against: (None) ;

7/26/2011 Abstention: (None) ;

8/2/2011 Sent to the House of Representatives requesting for concurrence;

[ THIRD REGULAR SESSION, 15TH CONGRESS ]

[ 2012 ]

9/3/2012 House of Representatives requested the Senate for a conference on the disagreeing provisions of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, designating Representatives Tupas Jr., Relampagos, Tanada III, Lagman, Nograles, Gunigundo I and Padilla as its conferees to the Bicameral Conference Committee on August 28, 2012;

9/4/2012 Senate accepted the request of the House of Representatives for a Conference on the disagreeing provisions of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, designating Senators Escudero, Guingona, Pimentel, Arroyo and Cayetano (A)as its conferees to the Bicameral Conference Committee;

10/16/2012 Conference Committee Report submitted to the Senate, recommending that SBN-2817 in consolidation with HBN-98 be approved as reconciled;

10/16/2012 Sponsorship speech on the conference committee report of Senator FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO;

10/16/2012 Conference Committee Report Approved by the Senate;

10/16/2012 Conference Committee Report approved by the House of Representatives (See: O.B. dated November 5, 2012);

11/12/2012 Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, sent to the House of Representatives, for the signature of the Speaker and the Secretary General;

11/20/2012 Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, received by the Senate, already signed by the Speaker and the Secretary General of the House of Representatives;

11/21/2012 Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, sent to the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office for the signature and approval of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III;

11/22/2012 Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, received by the Office of the President of the Philippines;

12/21/2012 Approved and signed into law by the President of the Philippines, His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, and became; (See: O.B. dated January 23, 2012);

12/21/2012 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10353.

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Batas Republika Blg. 10353

December 21, 2012

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*Di-opisyal na salin ng Official Gazette, sa layuning maghatid ng impormasyon sa mas nakararami.

S. Blg. 2817
N. Blg. 93

Republika ng Pilipinas

Kongreso ng Pilipinas

Kalakhang Maynila

Ikalabinlimang Kongreso

Ikatlong Regular na Sesyon

Sinimulan at ginanap sa Kalakhang Maynila noong Lunes, ikadalawampu’t tatlong araw ng Hulyo, dalawanlibo at labindalawa.

[BATAS REPUBLIKA BLG. 10353]

ISANG BATAS NA NAGBIBIGAY-KAHULUGAN AT NAGPAPARUSA SA PINUWERSA AT DI-KUSÀNG PAGKAWALA

Ginagawang batas ng Senado at Mababang Kapulungan ng Pilipinas na natitípon sa Kongreso:

SEKSIYON 1. Maikling Pamagat. – Ang Batas na ito ay kikilalanin bílang ”Batas Laban sa Pinuwersa at Di-kusàng Pagkawala ng 2012.“

SEK. 2. Pagpapahayag ng Polisiya. – Hinahalagahan ng Estado ang dangal ng bawat tao at tinitiyak ang ganap na paggalang sa karapatang pantao na siyang binibigyan ng pinakamataas na priyoridad sa pagsasabatas ng mga pamamaraan para sa pagpapabuti ng karapatan ng lahat ng tao sa dignidad na pantao, pagbabawal ng mga lihim na lugar bilang detensiyon, solitaryong pagkakulong, inkomunikado, o iba pang parehong mga anyo ng detensiyon, ang probisyon para sa mga parusang penal at sibil para sa mga naturang paglabag, at kabayaran at rehabilitasyon para sa mga biktima at sa kanilang mga pamilya, partikular kaugnay sa paggamit ng tortiyur, puwersa, karahasan, pagbabanta, intimidasyon o iba pang mga pamamaaraan na nakasasagabal sa kusang-loob ng mga taong kinuha, inaresto, ikinulong, nawala, o kaya ay inalisan ng mabisang proteksiyon ng batas.

Higit pa rito, sinusunod ng Estado ang mga prinsipyo at mga pamantayan sa ganap na pagkondena ng mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao na itinalaga mg Saligang Batas ng 1987 at iba’t ibang pandaigdigang tagapagpaganap tulad ng, bagaman hindi limitado sa, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), at Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), na kinabibilangan ng Pilipinas bilang isang Estado.

SEK. 3. Mga Kahulugan. – Para sa mga layunin ng Batas na ito, sa pamamagitan ng tuwirang probisyon ng batas, ang popular na eleksiyon o pagtatalaga ng may kakayahang awtoridad ay makikilahok sa pagsasagawa ng mga pampublikong tungkulin sa pamahalaan, o magsasawa ng mga tungkuling pampubliko sa pamahalaan o sa alinman sa mga sangay nito bilang isang empleado, ahente o nakapailalim na opisyal, o anumang ranggo o uri.

(a) Ang mga ahente ng Estado ay tutukoy sa mga tao na, sa pamamagitan ng tuwirang probisyon ng batas, ng popular na eleksiyon o pagtatalaga ng may kakayahang awtoridad ay makikilahok sa pagsasagawa ng mga pampublikong tungkulin sa pamahalaan, o magsasagawa ng mga tungkuling pampubliko sa pamahalaan o sa alinman sa mga sangay nito bilang isang empleado, ahente o nakapailalim na opisyal, o anumang ranggo o uri.

(b) Ang pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ay tumutukoy sa paghuli, pagkukulong, pagkuha o anumang iba pang anyo ng pag-aalis ng kalayaan na isinagawa ng mga ahente ng Estado o ng mga tao o mga pangkat ng tao na kumikilos nang may pahintulot, suporta, o pagtanggap ng Estado, na sinundan ng isang pagtangging kilalanin ang pag-aalis ng kalayaan o ng pagtatakip ng kapalaran o kinaroroonan ng nawawalang tao, na naglalagay sa naturang tao sa labas ng proteksiyon ng batas.

(c) Ang Orden ng Labanan ay tumutukoy sa isang dokumentong ginawa ng militar, pulisya o anumang ahensiyang tagapagpatupad ng batas ng pamahalaan na nagtatalâ sa mga pangalan ng mga tao at mga samahan na sa tingin nito ay mga lehitimong target bilang kalaban na mahaharap nito sa pamamagitan ng mga pamamaraang pinahihintulutan ng mga batas na pambansa at pandaigdig.

(d) Ang biktima ay tumutukoy sa taong nawawala o sa sinumang indibidwal na nasaktan bilang tuwirang resulta ng isang pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala sang-ayon sa pagpapakahulugan sa titik (b) ng Seksiyong ito.

SEK. 4. Di-Matitinag na Karapatang Laban sa Pinílit o Di-kusàng Pagkawala. – Ang karapatan laban sa pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala at mga pundamental na pagtiyak sa pagpigil dito ay hindi aalisin sa anumang dahilan kasama na ang politikal na kawalang-katiyakan, banta ng digmaan, estado ng digmaan, o iba pang pampublikong emerhensiya.

SEK. 5. Ang “Orden ng Labanan” o Anumang Orden na may Parehong Kalikasan, Di-Legal na Batayan para sa Pinílit o Di-kusàng Pagkawala. – Ang “Orden ng Labanan” o anumang orden na may katulad na kalikasan, opisyal man o hindi, mula sa isang mataas na opisyal o isang pampublikong awtoridad na dahilan ng pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ay labag sa batas at hindi magagamit bílang katwiran o tagapagpahintulot na kondisyon. Sinumang tumatanggap ng naturang utos ay may karapatang hindi ito sundin.

SEK. 6. Karapatan sa Akses sa Komunikasyon. – Isang ganap na karapatan ng sinumang tao na inalisan ng kalayaan na magkaroon ng agarang akses sa anumang anyo ng komunikasyong magagamit niya upang ipaalam ang kaniyang kinaroroonan at kondisyon sa kaniyang pamilya, kamag-anak, kaibigan, abogado, o anumang samahan para sa karapatang pantao.

SEK. 7. Tungkulin para Iulat ang mga Biktima ng Pinílit o Di-kusàng Pagkawala. – Sinumang tao, sakaling hindi pangunahing tagaganap, kasabwat o katulong, na may impormasyon sa kaso ng piníli o di-kusàng pagkawala o na makaaalam sa naturang impomasyon, o na ang isang tao ay biktima ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala, ay agarang mag-uulat nang pasulat ng mga pangyayari at kinaroroonan ng biktima sa anumang tanggapan, detachment o dibisyon ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), ng Tagapaglitis na Panlungsod o Panlalawigan, Commission on Human Rights (CHR), o anumang mga samahan para sa karapatang pantao at, sakaling alam, sa pamilya, kamag-anak, o abogado ng biktima.

SEK. 8. Tungkuling Pagtibayin nang Pasulat ang ukol sa mga Resulta ng Pagsisiyasat sa Iniulat na Kinaroroonan ng Nawawalang Tao. – Sa kaso ng isang kapamilya, kamag-anak, abogado, kinatawan ng isang samahan para sa karapatang pantao o isang kasapi ng media na nagtatanong sa isang kasapi o opisyal ng anumang sentro ng detensiyon ng pulisya o militar, ng PNP o anuman sa mga ahensiya nito, ng AFP o anuman sa mga ahensiya nito, ng NBI o anupamang ibang ahensiya o instrumentalidad ng pamahalaan, gayundin sa anumang ospital o morge, publiko o pribado, ukol sa presensiya o kinaroroonan ng isang iniulat ng biktima ng pinilit o di-kusang pagkawala, ang naturang kasapi o opisyal ay kinakailangang agad na maglabas ng isang sertipikasyon nang pasulat para sa tao o entidad na nagtatanong ukol sa presensiya o pagkawala at/o impormasyon ukol sa kinaroroonan ng naturang nawawalang tao, nang isinasaad, kasama ng iba pa, sa malinaw at di-mapagdududahang paraan ang petsa at oras ng pagtatanong, ang mga detalye ng pagtatanong, at ang tugon sa pagtatanong.

SEK. 9. Tungkulin ng Nagsisiyasat/Nag-iimbestigang Pampublikong Tagausig o anumang Panghukuman o Malapanghukumang Opisyal o Kawani. – Anumang pagsisiyasat o pag-iimbestiga ng pampublikong tagausig, o anumang panghukuman o malapanghukumang opisyal o kawani na napag-alamang ang taong ipinahatid para sa pagsisiyasat o preliminaryong imbestigasyon o para sa anumang prosesong panghukuman ay isang biktima ng pinílit o di-kusang pagkawala ay may tungkuling agad na ipaalam ang kinaroroonan ng biktima sa malapit nitong mga kapamilya, kamag-anak, abogado, o isang samahang para sa mga karapatang pantao sa pinakamadaling paraan.

SEK. 10. Opisyal na Napapanahong Rehistro ng Lahat ng Taong Nakapiit o Nakakulong. – Lahat ng taong nakapiit o nakakulong ay ilalagay lamang sa isang opisyal na kinikilala at kinokontrol na mga lugar ng detensiyon o pagkukulong kung saan ay pananatiliin ang isang opisyal na napapanahong rehistro ng mga naturang tao. Ang mga kamag-anak, abogado, hukom, mga kinatawang opisyal at lahat ng mga taong may lehitimong interes sa kinaroroonan at kondisyon ng mga taong inalisan ng kalayaan ay magkakaroon ng malayang akses sa rehistro.

Ang mga sumusunod na detalye, kasama ng iba pa, ang itatala sa rehistro:

(a) Ang identidad o pangalan, paglalarawan, at tirahan ng taong inalisan ng kalayaan;

(b) Ang petsa, oras, at lokasyon kung saan tinanggalan ng kalayaan ang taong iyon at ang identidad ng taong nagtanggal ng naturang kalayaan;

(c) Ang awtoridad na nagpasya sa pagtatanggal ng kalayaan at ang mga dahilan para sa pagtatanggal ng kalayaan o ang krimen o paglabag na naisagawa;

(d) Ang awtoridad na nagkokontrol sa pagtatanggal ng kalayaan;

(e) Ang lugar ng pagtatanggal ng kalayaan, ang petsa at oras ng pagpapasok sa lugar ng pagtatanggal ng kalayaan, at ang awtoridad na may pananagutan para sa lugar ng pagtatanggal ng kalayaan;

(f) Mga rekord ng pisikal, mental, sikolohikong kondisyon ng taong nakapiit o nakakulong bago at matapos ang pagtatanggal ng kalayaan at ang pangalan at tirahan ng doktor na nagsuri sa kanyang kondisyong pisikal, mental, at medikal;

(g) Ang petsa at oras ng pagpapalaya o paglilipat ng taong nakapiit o nakakulong sa iba pang lugar ng detensiyon, ang destinasyon, at ang awtoridad na may pananagutan sa naturang paglilipat;

(h) Ang petsa at oras ng bawat pag-aalis ng taong nakapiit o nakakulong mula sa kanyang selda, ang dahilan o layunin ng naturang pag-aalis, at ang petsa at oras ng kaniyang pagbabalik sa kaniyang selda;

(i) Isang buod ng kalagayang pisikal, mental, at medikal ng taong nakapiit o nakakulong matapos ang bawat interogasyon;

(j) Ang mga pangalan at mga tirahan ng mga taong dumalaw sa taong nakapiit o nakakulong, at ang petsa at oras ng mga naturang pagdalaw at ang petsa at oras ng bawat pag-alis;

(k) Sakaling namatay sa panahon ng pagtatanggal ng kalayaan, ang identidad, ang mga kondisyon at dahilan ng kamatayan ng biktima, gayundin ang destinasyon ng mga labî; at

(l) Lahat ng iba pang mahahalagang pangyayari na may kinalaman, at lahat ng may-kaugnayang detalye, sa pagtrato sa taong nakapiit o nakakulong.

Basta at, Na ang mga detalyeng hinihingi sa ilalim ng mga titik (a) hanggang (f) ay agad na ipapasok sa rehistro sa sandali ng pagdakip at/o detensiyon.

Lahat ng impormasyong nilalaman ng rehistro ay iuulat nang regular sa, o kapag hiniling ng, CHR o anupamang ibang ahensiya ng pamahalaan na inatasang magmonitor at mangalaga sa mga karapatang pantao at gagawing bukás sa publiko.

SEK. 11. Pagpapása ng Listahan ng mga Pasilidad Pandetensiyon ng Pamahalaan. – Sa loob ng anim (6) na buwan mula sa pagkakabisà ng Batas na ito at sa maaaring kahilingan ng CHR matapos iyon, lahat ng mga sangkot na ahensiya ng pamahalaan ay kinakailangang magpása ng na-update na imbentaryo o listahan ng lahat ng opisyal na kinikilala at kinokontrol na mga pasilidad pandetensiyon o pampiit, at ang listahan ng mga nakapiit o mga taong tinanggalan ng kalayaan sa ilalim ng kani-kanilang kaukulang hurisdiksiyon sa CHR.

SEK. 12. Agarang Paglalabas at Pagsunod sa mga Writ ng Habeas Corpus, mga Datos na Amparo at Habeas. – Lahat ng pagdulog na ukol sa paglalabas ng mga writ ng habeas corpus, mga datos ng amparo at habeas ay kinakailangang agarang ilabas. Sa gayon, lahat ng hukuman at iba pang sangkot na mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan ay magbibigay ng priyoridad sa mga naturang pagdulog.

Higi pa rito, anumang kautusang inilabas o pinagtibay sang-ayon sa mga naturang writ o sa kani-kanilang kaukulang pagdulog ay isasagawa at agarang susundin.

SEK. 13. Pagdalaw/Inspeksiyon ng mga Lugar ng Detensiyon at Pagkukulong. – Ang CHR o ang mga kaukulang may-kapangyarihang kinatawan nito ay inaatasan at binibigyang-kapangyarihan dito na magsagawa ng regular, malaya, biglaan, at walang-restriksiyong mga pagdalaw o inspeksiyon sa lahat ng mga lugar ng detensiyon at pagkukulong.

SEK. 14. Pananagutan ng Tagapagpasunod na Opisyal o Superyor. – Ang pinakamalapit na tagapagpasunod na opisyal ng sangkot na yunit ng ARP o ang pinakamalapit na mataas na opisyal ng PNP at iba pang mga ahensiyang nagpapatupad ng batas ang may pangunahing pananagutan sa krimen ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala para sa mga ginawa niyang naghatid, tumulong, naghikayat o nagpahintulot, tuwiran man o hindi, sa pagsasagawa ng mga iyon ng kaniyang mga tagasunod. Kung ang naturang tagapagpasunod ng opisyal ay may kaalaman sa, o sang-ayon sa mga pagkakataon ng panahong iyon, ay kinakailangang may kaalaman na may pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala na naisagawa, o isinagawa ng kaniyang mga tagasunod o iba pang nasasaklaw ng kaniyang pananagutan, at sa kabila ng naturang kaalaman, ay hindi siya nagsagawa ng pag-iwas o sapilitang pagkilos, alinman sa bago, habang, o pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng pagsasagawa nito, kung mayroon siyang kapangyarihan upang iwasan o imbestigahan ang mga naturang bintang ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala subalit nabigong iwasan o imbestigahan ang mga naturang bintang, sinadya man o dahil sa kapabayaan, ay magkakaroon din ng pangunahing pananagutan.

SEK. 15. Mga Probisyong Penal. – (a) Ang parusa sa reclusion perpetua at ang mga kasama nitong parusa ay ipapataw sa mga sumusunod na tao:

(1) Sa mga tuwirang nagsagawa ng pinílit at di-kusàng pagkawala;

(2) Sa mga tuwirang namuwersa, nagpasimula, nanghikayat o nagbuyo sa iba upang magsagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala:

(3) Sa mga nakipagtulungan sa pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng ibang bagay na kung hindi ginawa ay hindi maisasakatuparan ang pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala;

(4) Sa mga opisyal na nagpahintulot sa pagsasagawa o tumulong sa pagsasakatuparan ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala kung nasa kapangyarihan niyang pigilan o ibunyag ang pagsasagawa nito; at

(5) Sa mga nakipagtulungan sa pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala sa pamamagitan ng mga datihan o kapanabayang isinagawa.

(b) Ang parusa ng reclusion temporal at ang mga kasama nitong parusa ay ipapataw sa mga nagsagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala sa yugtong tinatangka pa lámang ito sang-ayon sa itinalaga at inilarawan sa ilalim ng Artikulo 6 ng Binagong Kodigo Penal.

(c) Ang parusa ng reclusion temporal at ang mga kasama nitong parusa ay ipapataw sa mga tao na mayroong kaalaman sa pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala and hindi nakilahok doon bilang pangunahin o kasabwat, ay nakilahok paglaon sa pagsasagawa nito sa alinman sa mga sumusunod na paraan:

(1) Sa pagkíta mula sa o sa pagtulong sa lumabag upang makinabang mula sa mga epekto ng pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala;

(2) Sa pagtatago sa gawain ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala at/o sa pagsira sa mga ginamit o kasangkapan para rito upang pigilan ang pagkatuklas dito; o

(3) Sa pagkukupkop, pagtatago, o pagtulong sa pagtakas ng mga pangunahing sangkot sa pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala, basta at ang mga naturang kasamang gawain ay ginawa nang may pag-abuso sa mga gawaing opisyal.

(d) Ang parusa ng prision correctional at ang mga kasama nitong parusa ay ipapataw laban sa mga tao na sumalungat, di-pumansin, o pinatagal nang gayon na lamang ang pagsunod sa anumang kautusang inilabas o pinalaganap sang-ayon sa mga writ ng habeas corpus, mga datos amparo at habeas, o sa kanilang mga kaukulang paglilitis.

(e) Ang parusa ng arresto mayor at ang mga kasama nitong parusa ay ipapataw laban sa sinumang lalabag sa mga probisyon ng mga Seksiyon 6, 7, 8, 9 at 10 ng Batas na ito.

SEK. 16. Pampigil na Suspensiyon/Agarang Pagtatanggal. – Ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan at ang mga kawani na napatunayang nagsagawa ng o nakilahok sa anumang paraan sa pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala bilang resulta ng isang preliminaryong imbestigasyon na isinagawa para sa layuning iyon ay bibigyan ng pampigil na suspensiyon o agarang tatanggalin sa serbisyo, sang-ayon sa lakas ng ebidensiyang iniharap at natipon sa naturang preliminaryong imbestigasyon o sang-ayon sa imumungkahi ng nag-iimbestigang awtoridad.

SEK. 17. Pananagutang Sibil. – Ang pagsasagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ay magbibigay ng pananagutan sa mga nagsagawa nito at mga ahensiya ng Estado na nagsaayos, nagpahintulot sa o hinayaan ang naturang pagkawala sa ilalim ng batas sibil.

SEK. 18. Hiwalay na Pananagutan. – Ang pananagutang kriminal ng lumabag sa ilalim ng Batas na ito ay hiwalay o walang pagsasaalang-alang sa paglilitis at paghatol sa naturang lumabag para sa anumang paglabag sa Batas Republika Blg. 7438, na kilala rin bílang “Isang Batas na Nagpapakahulugan sa Ilang Karapatan ng Taong Dinakip, Ipiniit o Ipinailalim sa Imbestigasyong Pampangangalaga, gayundin sa mga Tungkulin ng Dumarakip, Nagpipiit, at Nag-iimbestigang mga Opisyal, at Nagtatalaga ng mga Parusa sa Paglabag sa mga Ito”; sa Batas Republika Blg. 9745, na kilala rin bílang “Isang Batas na Nagpaparusa sa Tortiyur at Iba Pang Malupit, Di-Makatao, at Nakapanliliit na Pagturing o Pagpaparusa, at Pagtatakda ng mga Parusa para sa mga Ito”; at mga mailalapat na probisyon ng Binagong Kodigo Penal.

SEK. 19. Pagiging Di-Eksklusibo o Double Jeopardy sa Ilalim ng Pandaigdigang Batas. – Anumang imbestigasyon, paglilitis, at pasya ng anumang hukuman sa Pilipinas, o pangkat para sa anumang paglabag ng Batas na ito ay walang pagsasaalang-alang sa anumang imbestigasyon, paglilitis, pasya, o iba pang legal o prosesong administratibo bago ang anumang angkop na hukumang pandaigdig o ahensiya sa ilalim ng mga mailalapat na pandaigdigang batas sa karapatang pantao at na makatao.

SEK. 20. Pagkaligtas mula sa Prosekusyon. – Sinumang lumabag na nagbigay ng impormasyon na naghatid sa pagkatuklas sa biktima ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala o sa prosekusyon ng mga lumabag nang hindi nakikita ang biktima ay magiging ligtas sa anumang kriminal at/o sibil na pananagutan sa ilalim ng Batas na ito: Basta at, Na ang nasabing lumabag ay hindi lumilitaw na siyang pinakamaysala.

SEK. 21. Nagpapatuloy na Paglabag. – Ang gawaing bumubuo sa pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ay ituturing na isang nagpapatuloy na paglabag hanggang ang mga nagsasagawa nito ay patuloy na itinatago ang kapalaran at kinaroroonan ng mga nawawalang tao at ang mga naturang kondisyon ay hindi natutukoy nang may katiyakan.

SEK. 22. Exemption sa Imahen ng mga Limitasyon. – Ang prosekusyon sa mga taong may pananagutan sa pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ay hindi makapagmumungkahi maliban kung limitaw nang buhay ang biktima. Sa gayon, ang panahon ng preskripsiyon ay dalawampu’t limang (25) taon mula sa petsa ng naturang muling pagpapakita.

SEK. 23. Eksklusyon sa Batas kaugnay ng Espesyal na Amnestiya. – Ang mga taong nahatulan at/o nagsagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ay hindi makikinabang sa anumang batas kaugnay ng espesyal na amnestiya o iba pang katulad na pamamaraang tagapagpaganap na makapagliligtas sankanila mula sa anumang paglilitis o parusang penal.

SEK. 24. Proteksiyon ng Estado. – Ang Estado, sa pamamagitan ng mga angkop nitong ahensiya, ay titiyak sa kaligtasan ng lahat ng taong sangkot sa paghahanap, imbestigasyon, at prosekusyon ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala kasama na ang, bagaman hindi limitado sa, mga biktima, ang kanilang mga pamilya, nagrereklamo, tumetestigo, mga legal na tagapayo at mga kinatawan ng mga samahan para sa karapatang pantao at ng media. Sila rin ay poprotektahan mula sa anumang intimidasyon o paghihiganti.

SEK. 25. Aplikabilidad ng Refouler. – Walang taong paaalisin, ibabalik, o isasauli sa ibang Estado kapag may sapat na batayan upang maniwalang ang naturang tao ay nasa panganib na mapasailalim sa pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala. Para sa mga layunin ng pagtiyak kung umiiral ang mga gayong batayan, ang Kalihim ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at ang Kalihim ng Department of Justice (DOJ), sa pakikipagtulungan ng Tagapangulo ng CHR, at magsasaalang-alang ng mga may-kaugnayang konsiderasyon kasama na sakaling mailalapat bagaman hindi limitado sa pag-iral sa humihiling na Estado ng isang konsistent na padron ng malawakan, hayag, at pambayang mga paglabag ng mga karapatang pantao.

SEK. 26. Restitusyon at Kabayaran sa mga Biktima ng Pinílit o Di-kusàng Pagkawala at/o sa Kanilang mga Kalapit na Kamag-anak. – Ang mga biktima ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala na lumitaw nang buhay ay pagkakalooban ng kabayarang salapi, rehabilitasyon, at restitusyon ng dangal at reputasyon. Ang naturang restitusyon ng dangal at reputasyon ay magsasangkot ng agarang pag-aalis o rektipikasyon ng anumang nakasasamang rekord, mga impormasyon o pampublikong deklarasyon/pahayag kaugnay ng kaniyang pagkatao, mga personal na kalagayan, estado, at/o kinaaanibang samahan ng mga angkop na pampamahalaan o pribadong ahensiya o mga ahensiyang sangkot.

Ang malalapit na kamag-anak ng isang biktima ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala, nang hanggang sa ikaapat na digring sibil ng pagiging magkadugo o magkaugnay, ay maaari ring humingi ng kabayaran sang-ayon sa itinalaga ng Batas Republika Blg. 7309 na pinamatagang “Isang Batas na Lumilikha ng Isang Lupon sa mga Paghahabol sa ilalim ng Kagawaran ng Katarungan para sa mga Biktima ng Di-makatarungang Pagkabilanggo o Pagkapiit at mga Biktima ng Mararahas na Krimen at Para sa Iba Pang mga Layunin,” at iba pang mga programang pantulong ng pamahalaan.

Ang kaloob na kabayaran kapwa sa mga biktima at sa malalapit na kamag-anak na hanggang sa ikaapat na digring sibil ng pagiging magkadugo o magkaugnay ay walang pagsasaalang-alang sa iba pang mga remedyong legal na maaari nilang makuha.

SEK. 27. Rehabilitasyon ng mga Biktima at/o ng Kanilang mga Kalapit na Kamag-anak, at mga Lumabag. – Upang ang mga biktima ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala na lumitaw nang buháy at/o ang kanilang malalapit na kamag-anak na hanggang sa ikaapat na digring sibil ng pagiging magkadugo o magkaugnay ay maipasok muli nang mahusay sa daloy ng lipunan at sa proseso ng pag-unlad, ang Estado, sa pamamagitan ng CHR, sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of Health, sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), at sa mga sangkot na samahang di-pampamahalaan, ay magkakaloob sa kanila ng angkop na pangangalagang medikal at rehabilitasyon nang walang bayad.

Tungo sa pagkakamit ng katarungang pampanauli, isang kaalinsabay na programang panrehabilitasyon para sa mga taong nagsagawa ng pinílit o di-kusàng pagkawala ang ipatutupad din nang walang gastusin para sa mga naturang lumabag.

SEK. 28. Pampatupad na mga Tuntunin at Regulasyon. – Sa loob ng tatlumpung (30) araw mula sa pagkakabisà ng Batas na ito, ang DOJ, DSWD, CHR, Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND), at ang Families of Desaparecidos for Justice (Desaparecidos), sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba pang mga samahan pra sa mga karapatang pantao, ang magkasamang magpapalaganap ng mga tuntunin at regulasyon para sa epektibong pagpapatupad ng Batas na ito at titiyak sa ganap na diseminasyon nito sa publiko.

SEK. 29. Mga Aplikasyon Suppletory. – Ang mga mailalapat na probisyon ng Binagong Kodigo Penal ay magkakaroon ng aplikasyon suppletory hangga’t sang-ayon sila sa mga probisyon ng Batas na ito.

SEK. 30. Mga Apropriyasyon. – Ang halagang sampung milyong piso (PHP10,000,000.00) ay inilalaan dito para sa paunang implementasyon ng Batas na ito ng CHR. Ang mga kasunod na halaga para sa patuloy na implementasyon ng Batas na ito ay isasama na sa kani-kanilang badyet ng CHR at ng DOJ sa taunang Batas sa Pangkalahatang Apropriyasyon.

SEK. 31. Sugnay ng Pagkakahiwalay. — Sa kung anumang dahilan at ang anumang seksiyon o probisyon ng Batas na ito ay ipahayag na hindi sang-ayon sa konstitusyon o walang bisa, ang ibang mga seksiyon o mga probisyon na hindi naapektuhan mula roon ay mananatiling may ganap na puwersa at bisà.

SEK. 32. Sugnay na Pambawi. — Lahat ng batas, dekreto, kautusang tagapagpaganap, mga tuntunin at regulasyon, at iba pang inilabas o bahagi ng mga iyon hindi naaayon sa mga probisyon sa Batas na ito ay binabawi rito, binabago, o sinususugan nang naaayon dito.

SEK. 33. Sugnay ng Pagkakabisà. — Ang Batas na ito ay magkakaroon ng bisà sa loob ng labinlimang (15) araw matapos ang publikasyon nito sa dalawa (2) man lamang pahayagang may malawak na sirkulasyon o sa Official Gazette, na hindi lalampas sa pitong (7) araw matapos ang pagtanggap mula roon.

Inaprubahan,

(Lagda) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Ispiker ng Mababang Kapulungan

(Lagda) JUAN PONCE ENRILE
Pangulo ng Senado

Ang Batas na itong konsolidasyon ng Panukalang Batas sa Senado Blg. 2817 at Panukalang Batas sa Mababang Kapulungan Blg. 98 ay naipasa sa wakas ng Senado at ng Mababang Kapulungan noong 16 Oktubre 2012.

(Lagda) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Kalihim-Heneral
Mababang Kapulungan

(Lagda) EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Kalihim ng Senado

Pinagtibay: 21 DIS 2012

(Lagda) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
Pangulo ng Pilipinas

*Di-opisyal na salin ng Official Gazette, sa layuning maghatid ng impormasyon sa mas nakararami.

Source: Official Gazette

Legislative History

View Legislative History in Senate website

Floor Activity

View Floor Activity in Senate website

Committee Referral

View Committee Referral in Senate website

Republic Act No. 10368

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 05:07:44 +0000

Republic Act No. 10368

Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 2021-03-28 13:07

Republic Act No. 10368

Full Title

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REPARATION AND RECOGNITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THE MARCOS REGIME, DOCUMENTATION OF SAID VIOLATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Date of Approval

2013-02-25

URL (Congress)

http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_15/RA10368.pdf

URL (gov.ph)

http://www.gov.ph/downloads/2013/02feb/20130225-RA-10368-BSA.pdf

URL (Supreme Court)

Supreme Court link to the resource

URL (Senate)

PDF link from senate.gov.ph

House Bill No.

H. No. 5990

Digital Resource

View PDF file as uploaded in Senate website

Congress

15th Congress of the Republic

Issuance Category

Legislative Issuance

Subjects

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

SAMAHAN NG MGA EX-DETAINEES LABAN SA DETENSYON AT ARESTO (SELDA)

PREVENTIVE DETENTION ACTION (PDA)

PRESIDENTIAL COMMITMENT ORDER (PCO)

PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT (PCGG)

PHILIPPINE CONSTABULARY (PC)

NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS (NCCA)

MOVEMENT OF ATTORNEYS FOR BROTHERHOOD, INTEGRITY AND NATIONALISM (MABI)

MARTIAL LAW

MARCOS, IMELDA R.

Marcos, Ferdinand E.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

INTEGRATED NATIONAL POLICE (INP)

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS VICTIMS' MEMORIAL COMMISSION

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS VICTIM (HRVV)

HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS' CLAIMS BOARD

Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013

HUMAN RIGHTS

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP (FLAG)

FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCE (FIND)

CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE (CAT)

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

CIVILIAN HOME DEFENSE FORCE (CHDF)

ARREST, SEARCH AND SEIZURE ORDER (ASSO)

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP)

TASK FORCE DETAINEES OF THE PHILIPPINES (TFDP)

HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013

HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS' CLAIMS BOARD

Human Rights Violations Victims

Human Rights Violations Victims Human Rights Victims' Claims Board

Official Gazette Details

Official Gazette Source

Official Gazette vol. 109 no. 17 page 2955 (April 29, 2013)

Newspaper Sources

Newspaper Source

Manila Bulletin (March 1, 2013)

Short Title

Human Rights Victims Reparations and Recognition Act of 2013

Legislative Issuance Type

Republic Act

Related to Note

The Constitution, art. II, secs. 11 & 2 ; art. III, sec. 12, s1987

RA 9745

RA 10350

EO 1, sec. 2(a), s1986

EO 1, s1986

ACT 3815

Repeal Note

RA 7160, sec. 40 (a)

RA 6657, sec. 63 (b)

House Bill first in billing

Body

H. No. 5990; 109 OG No. 17, 2955 (April 29, 2013); Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, March 1, 2013

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10368, February 15, 2013 ]

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REPARATION AND RECOGNITION OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THE MARCOS REGIME, DOCUMENTATION OF SAID VIOLATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013?.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Section 11 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines declares that the State values the dignity of every human, person and guarantees full respect for human rights. Pursuant to this declared policy, Section 12 of Article III of the Constitution prohibits the use of torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free will and mandates the compensation and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices and their families.

By virtue of Section 2 of Article II of the Constitution adopting generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land, the Philippines adheres to international human rights laws and conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which imposes on each State party the obligation to enact domestic legislation to give effect to the rights recognized therein and to ensure that any person whose rights or freedoms have been violated shall have an effective remedy, even if the violation is committed by persons acting in an official capacity. In fact, the right to a remedy is itself guaranteed under existing human rights treaties and/or customary international law, being peremptory in character (jus cogens) and as such has been recognized as non-derogable.

Consistent with the foregoing, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos covering the period from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 and restore the victims’ honor and dignity. The State hereby acknowledges its moral and legal obligation to recognize and/or provide reparation to said victims and/or their families for the deaths, injuries, sufferings, deprivations and damages they suffered under the Marcos regime.

Similarly, it is the obligation of the State to acknowledge the sufferings and damages inflicted upon persons whose properties or businesses were forcibly taken over, sequestered or used, or those whose professions were damaged and/or impaired, or those whose freedom of movement was restricted, and/or such other victims of the violations of the Bill of Rights.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — The following terms as used in this Act shall mean:

(a) Detention refers to the act of taking a person into custody against his will by persons acting in an official capacity and/or agents of the State.

(b) Human rights violation refers to any act or omission committed during the period from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 by persons acting in an official capacity and/or agents of the State, but shall not be limited to the following:

(1) Any search, arrest and/or detention without a valid search warrant or warrant of arrest issued by a civilian court of law, including any warrantless arrest or detention carried out pursuant to the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos as well as any arrest., detention or deprivation of liberty carried out during the covered period on the basis of an “Arrest, Search and Seizure Order (ASSO)”, a “Presidential Commitment Order {PCO)” or a “Preventive Detention Action (PDA)” and such other similar executive issuances as defined by decrees of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, or in any manner that the arrest, detention or deprivation, of liberty was effected;

(2) The infliction by a person acting in an official capacity and/or an agent of the State of physical injury, torture, killing, or violation of other human rights, of any person exercising civil or political rights, including but not limited to the freedom of speech, assembly or organization; and/or the right to petition the government for redress of grievances, even if such violation took place during or in the course of what the authorities at the time deemed an illegal assembly or demonstration: Provided, That torture in any form or under any circumstance shall be considered a human rights violation;

(3) Any enforced or involuntary disappearance caused upon a person who was arrested, detained or abducted against one’s will or otherwise deprived of one’s liberty, as defined in Republic Act. No. 10350 [1], otherwise known as the “Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012?;

(4) Any force or intimidation causing the involuntary exile of a person from the Philippines;

(5) Any act of force, intimidation or deceit causing unjust or illegal takeover of a business, confiscation of property, detention of owner/s and or their families, deprivation of livelihood of a person by agents of the State, including those caused by Ferdinand E. Marcos, his spouse Imelda R. Marcos, their immediate relatives by consanguinity or affinity, as well as those persons considered as among their close relatives, associates, cronies and subordinates under Executive Order No. 1, issued on February 28, 1986 by then President Corazon C. Aquino in the exercise of her legislative powers under the Freedom Constitution;

(6) Any act or series of acts causing, committing and/or conducting the following:

(i) Kidnapping or otherwise exploiting children of persons suspected of committing acts against the Marcos regime;

(ii) Committing sexual offenses against human rights victims who are detained and/or in the course of conducting military and/or police operations; and

(iii) Other violations and/or abuses similar or analogous to the above, including those recognized by international law.

(c) Human Rights Violations Victim (HRVV) refers to a person whose human rights were violated by persons acting in an official capacity and/or agents of the State as defined herein. In order to qualify for reparation under this Act, the human rights violation must have been committed during the period from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986: Provided, however, That victims of human rights violations that were committed one (1) month before September 21, 1972 and one (1) month after February 25, 1986 shall be entitled to reparation, under this Act if they can establish that the violation was committed:

(1) By agents of the State and/or persons acting in an official capacity as defined hereunder;

(2) For the purpose of preserving, maintaining, supporting or promoting the said regime; or

(3) To conceal abuses during the Marcos regime and/or the effects of Martial Law.

(d) Persons Acting in an Official Capacity and/or Agents of the State.—The following persons shall be deemed persons acting in an official capacity and/or agents of the State under this Act:

(1) Any member of the former Philippine Constabulary (PC), the former Integrated National Police (INP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Civilian Home Defense Force (CHDF) from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 as well as any civilian agent attached thereto; and any member of a paramilitary group even if one is not organically part of the PC, the INP, the AFP or the CHDF so long as it is shown that the group was organized, funded, supplied with equipment, facilities and/or resources, and/or indoctrinated, controlled and/or supervised by any person acting in an official capacity and/or agent of the State as herein defined;

(2) Any member of the civil service, including persons who held elective or appointive public office at any time from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986;

(3) Persons referred to in Section 2(a) of Executive Order No. 1, creating the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), issued on February 28, 1986 and related laws by then President Corazon C. Aquino in the exercise of her legislative powers under the Freedom Constitution, including former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, spouse Imelda R. Marcos, their immediate relatives by consanguinity or affinity, as well as their close relatives, associates, cronies and subordinates; and

(4) Any person or group/s of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State during the Marcos regime.

(e) Torture refers to any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on any person under the custody of persons acting in an official capacity and/or agents of the State, as defined by law, jurisprudence, international conventions and Republic Act No. 9745, otherwise known as the “Anti-Torture Act of 2009?.

SEC 4. Entitlement to Monetary Reparation. — Any HRVV qualified under this Act shall receive reparation from the State, free of tax, as herein prescribed: Provided, That for a deceased or involuntary disappeared HRVV, the legal heirs as provided for in the Civil Code of the Philippines, or such other person named by the executor or administrator of the deceased or involuntary disappeared HRVV’s estate in that order, shall be entitled to receive such reparation: Provided, further, That no special power of attorney shall be recognized in the actual disbursement of the award, and only the victim or the aforestated successor(s)-in-interest shall be entitled to personally receive said reparation form the Board, unless the victim involved is shown to be incapacitated to the satisfaction of the Board: Provided, furthermore, That the reparation received under this Act shall be without prejudice to the receipt of any other sum by the HRVV from any other person or entity in any case involving violations of human rights as defined in this Act.

SEC. 5. Nonmonetary Reparation. — The Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Education (DepED), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and such other government agencies shall render the necessary services as nonmonetary reparation for HRVVs and/or their families, as may be determined by the Board pursuant to the provisions of this Act. The amount necessary for this purpose shall be sourced from the budget of the agency concerned in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

SEC. 6. Amount of Reparation. — The amount of reparation under this Act shall be in proportion to the gravity of the human rights violation committed on the HRVV and in accordance with the number of points assigned to the individual under Section 19 hereof.

SEC. 7. Source of Reparation. — The amount of Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) plus accrued interest which form part of the funds transferred to the government of the Republic of the Philippines by virtue of the December 10, 1997 Order of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, adjudged by the Supreme Court of the Philippines as final and executory in Republic vs. Sandiganbayan on July 15, 2003 (G.R. No. 152154) as Marcos ill-gotten wealth and forfeited in favor of the Republic of the Philippines, shall be the principal source funds for the implementation of this Act.

CHAPTER II
THE HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS' CLAIMS BOARD

SEC. 8. Creation and Composition of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board. — There is hereby created an independent and quasi-judicial body to be known as the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board. It shall be composed of nine (9) members, who shall possess the following qualifications:

(a) Must be of known probity, competence and integrity;

(b) Must have a deep and thorough understanding and knowledge of human rights and involvement in efforts against human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos;

(c) At least three (3) of them must be members of the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten (10) years; and

(d) Must have a clear and adequate understanding and commitment to human rights protection, promotion and advocacy.

The Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board shall be attached to but shall not be under the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

The Board shall organize itself within thirty (30) days from the completion of appointment of all nine (9) members and shall thereafter organize its Secretariat.

SEC. 9. Appointment to the Board. — The President shall appoint the Chairperson and the other eight (8) members of the Board: Provided, That human rights organizations such as, but not limited to, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism (MABINI), the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) and the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) may submit nominations to the President.

SEC. 10. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Board shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications for claims under this Act;

(b) Issue subpoena/s ad testificandum and subpoena/s duces tecum;

(d) Approve with finality all eligible claims under this Act;

(e) Deputize appropriate government agencies to assist it in order to effectively perform its functions;

(f) Promulgate such rules as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act, including rules of procedure in the conduct of its proceedings, with the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines having suppletory application;

(g) Exercise administrative control and supervision over its Secretariat;

(h) The Board, at its discretion, may consult the human rights organizations mentioned in Section 9 herein; and

(i) Perform such other duties, functions and responsibilities as may be necessary to effectively attain the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 11. Resolution, of Claims. — The Board shall be composed of three (3) divisions which shall function simultaneously and independently of each other in the resolution of claims for reparation. Each division shall be composed of one (1) Chairperson, who shall be a member of the Philippine Bar and two (2) members to be appointed by the Board en banc.

SEC. 12. Emoluments. — The Chairperson and members of the Board shall have the rank, salary, emoluments and allowances equivalent to s Presiding Justice and Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, respectively.

SEC. 13. Secretariat of the Board. — The Board shall be assisted by a Secretariat which may come from the existing personnel of the CHR, without prejudice to the hiring of additional personnel as determined by the Board to accommodate the volume of required work. The following shall be the functions of the Secretariat:

(a) Receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications for claims under this Act;

(b) Recommend to the Board the approval of applications for claims;

(d) Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Board.

The Chairperson of the Board shall appoint a Board Secretary who shall head the Secretariat for the duration of the existence of the Board. There shall be a Technical Staff Head assisted by five (5) Legal Officers and three (3) Paralegal Officers; and an Administrative Staff Head assisted by three (3) Administrative Support Staff.

When necessary, the Board may hire additional contractual employees or contract a service provider to provide services of counselors, psychologists, social workers and public education specialists, among others, to augment the services of the Secretariat: Provided, That the maximum contract amount per year shall not exceed more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total annual operating budget of the Board.

SEC. 14. Operating Budget of the Board.— The operating budget of the Board shall be funded from the Ten billion peso {P10,000,000,000.00) fund, with Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) as its initial operating budget: Provided, That it shall not exceed Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) a year

SEC. 15. Proper Disposition of Funds.— The Board shall ensure that funds appropriated or those which may become available as reparation for HRVVs are properly disbursed in accordance with the policies stated by Congress and relevant government rules, regulations and accounting procedures.

CHAPTER III
CLAIMANTS, REPARATION AND RECOGNITION

SEC. 16. Claimants. — Any person who is an HRVV may file a claim with the Board for reparation and/or recognition in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 17. Conclusive Presumption That One is an HRVV Under This Act. — The claimants in the class suit and direct action plaintiffs in the Human Rights Litigation Against the Estate of Ferdinand E. Marcos (MDL No. 840, CA No. 88-0390) in the US Federal District Court of Honolulu, Hawaii wherein a favorable judgment has been rendered, shall be extended the conclusive presumption that they are HRVVs: Provided, That the HRVVs recognized by the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Foundation shall also be accorded the same conclusive presumption: Provided, further, That nothing herein shall be construed to deprive the Board of its original jurisdiction and its inherent power to determine the extent of the human rights violations and the corresponding reparation and/or recognition that may be granted.

SEC. 18. Motu Proprio Recognition. — The Board may take judicial notice motu proprio of individual persons who suffered human rights violations as defined herein and grant such persons recognition as HRVVs and included in the Roll of Victims as provided for in Section 26 hereof.

SEC. 19. Determination of Award. — (a) The Board shall follow the point system in the determination of the award. The range shall be one (1) to ten (10) points, as follows:

(1) Victims who died or who disappeared and are still missing shall be given ten (10) points;

(2) Victims who were tortured and/or raped or sexually abused shall he given six (6) to nine (9) points:

(3) Victims who were detained shall be given three (3) to five (5) points; and

(4) Victims whose rights were violated under Section 3, paragraph (b), nos. (4), (5) and (6) under this Act shall be given one (1) to two (2) points.

The Board shall exercise its powers with due discretion in the determination of points for each victim, which shall be based on the type of violation committed against the HRVV, frequently and duration of the violation. In each category, HRVVs who had suffered more would receive more points. In instances where a victim is classified in more than one category, one shall be awarded the points in the higher category: Provided, That in cases where there are several eligible claims filed for reparation by or on behalf of a particular HRVV, the Board shall award only one (1) valid claim which corresponds to the category obtaining the highest number of points for each eligible claimant.

(b) The Board shall proceed to determine the award for each claimant classified under Sections 16, 17 and 18 of this Act.

(c) The Board shall then compute the final monetary value of one’s award that is equivalent to the numerical value of one point multiplied by the number of points that a claimant is entitled to, as previously determined by the Board.

(d) Within thirty (30) days after the Board has approved with finality each eligible claim pending before it and after due publication of such legitimate claim, the award of monetary compensation shall take effect: Provided., That any pending appeal filed by an aggrieved claimant or opposite before the Board en banc must resolved by it sixty (60) days before the Board becomes functus officio.

CHAPTER IV
GENERAL- PROVISIONS

SEC. 20. Transfer of Funds. — Pursuant to the judgment mentioned in Section 7 hereof, the amount of Ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00) plus the accrued interest are hereby set aside and appropriated to fund the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 21. Documentation of Human — Rights Violations Committed by the Marcos Regime. — In the implementation of this Act and without prejudice to any other documentary or other evidence that may be required for the award of any reparation, any HRVV seeking reparation shall execute a detailed sworn statement narrating the circumstances of the pertinent human rights violation/s committed.

SEC. 22. Publication. — Consistent with Section 23 herein, the Board, after having been duly convened, shall set the period for the commencement and termination of applications by HRVVs and cause the publication of the same: Provided, That such period shall only become operative fifteen (15) days after its last publication, which shall be once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 23. Period for Filing of Claims; Waiver. — An HRVV shall file an application for reparation with the Board within six (6) months from the effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act: Provided, That failure to file an application within said period is deemed a waiver of the right to file the same: Provided, further, That for HRVVs who are deceased, incapacitated, or missing due to enforced disappearance, their legal heir/s or representatives, shall be entitled to file an application for reparation on their behalf.

Any opposition to the new application/s pursuant to Section 16 hereof shall only be entertained if such is filed within fifteen (15) days from the date of the last publication of the official list of eligible claimants as may be determined by the Board. The Board shall cause the publication of the official list of eligible claimants once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 24 Appeal. — Any aggrieved claimant or oppositor may file an appeal within ten (10) calendar days from the receipt of the Resolution of the Division, to the Board en banc, whose decision shall then become final and executory.

SEC 25. Penalties; Applicability of the Revised Penal Code. — Any claimant who is found by the Board, after due hearing, to have filed a fraudulent claim, shall be referred to the appropriate office for prosecution. If convicted, he shall suffer the imprisonment of eight (8) to ten (10) years, shall be disqualified from public office and employment and shall be deprived of the right to vote and be voted for in any national or local election, even after the service of sentence unless granted absolute pardon.

Any member of the Board and its Secretariat, public officer, employee of an agency or any private individual mandated to implement this Act, who shall misuse, embezzle or misappropriate the funds for the reparation of HRVVs or who shall commit fraud in the processing of documents and claims of HRVVs, or shall conspire with any individual to commit the same, shall also be prosecuted,

Any member of the Board and its Secretariat, public officer, employee of an agency or any private individual mandated to implement this Act, who may have been found guilty of committing any or all of the prohibited acts stated in the preceding paragraph, or those acts punishable under the Revised Penal Code, shall be penalized under the pertinent provisions in the Code and relevant special penal laws.

SEC. 26. Roll of Victims. — Persons who are HRVVs, regardless of whether they opt to seek reparation or not, shall be given recognition by enshrining their names in a Roll of Human Rights Victims to be prepared by the Board.

A Memorial/Museum/Library shall be established in honor and in memory of the victims of human rights violations whose names shall be inscribed in the Roll. A compendium of their sacrifices shall be prepared and may be readily viewed and accessed in the internet. The Memorial/Museum/Library/Compendium shall have an appropriation of at least Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) from the accrued interest of the Ten billion peso (P10,000,000,000.00) fund.

The Roll may also be displayed in government agencies as maybe designated by the HRVV Memorial Commission as created hereunder.

SEC. 27. Human, Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission.. — There is hereby created a Commission to be known as the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, primarily for the establishment, restoration, preservation and conservation of the Memorial/Museum/Library/Compendium in honor of the HRVVs during the Marcos regime.

The powers and functions of the Commission shall be assumed by the Board of Trustees which shall be composed of the following; Chairperson of the CHR as Chairperson; Chairperson of the National Historical Commission as Co-Chairperson; and Chairpersons of the CHED, the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Secretary of the Department of Education and the Head of the University of the Philippines Diliman Main Library, as members.

The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to hire and appoint its officials and employees, receive donations and grants for and on its behalf, and generate revenues for the benefit of the Commission.

The Commission shall be attached to the CHR solely for budgetary and administrative purposes. The operating budget of the Commission shall be appropriated from the General Appropriations Act.

The Commission shall also coordinate and collaborate with the DepED and the CHED to ensure that the teaching of Martial Law atrocities, the lives and sacrifices of HRVVs in our history are included in the basic, secondary and tertiary education curricula.

CHAPTER V
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC 28. Guidelines for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (1RR). — In implementing this Act and in formulating the corresponding rules and regulations, and to ensure that all applications are properly screened for fraudulent claims, the Board must provide for:

(a) Transparency in the processing of the claims;

(b) A procedure that allows any concerned party to oppose an application or claim on the ground that it is fraudulent, fictitious or spurious and gives that party the opportunity to question the same and to present evidence in support thereof; and

Within fifteen (15) days from the date of its organization, the Board shall promulgate the necessary IRR and procedures for the effective implementation of this Act. The IRR shall be effective fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 29. Work Period; Sunset Clause. — The Board shall complete its work within two (2) years from the effectivity of the IRR promulgated by it. After such period, it shall become functus officio.

SEC. 30. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, including Section 63(b) of Republic Act No. 6657, as amended, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 and Section 40(a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 32. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE
President of the Senate

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker of the House
of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 5990 and Senate Bill No. 3334 was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 28, 2013.

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Secretary of the Senate

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives

Approved: FEB. 15, 2013

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

Source: Supreme Court E-Library

House Bill

H. No. 5990

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Entitled:
AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF ENFORCED OR INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCE
[ FIRST REGULAR SESSION, 15TH CONGRESS ]
[ 2011 ]
5/11/2011	Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committee(s) on JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS and CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, REVISION OF CODES AND LAWS with Senator(s) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO, MANNY VILLAR, MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO and FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN as author(s) per Committee Report No. 36, recommending its approval in substitution of SBNos. 100, 1226, 1455 and 2176;
5/16/2011	Committee Report Calendared for Ordinary Business;
5/16/2011	Sponsor: Senator FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO;
5/16/2011	Transferred from the Calendar for Ordinary Business to the Calendar for Special Order;
5/16/2011	Sponsorship speech of Senator FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO;
5/23/2011	Senator RAMON A. REVILLA JR. was made as coauthor;
6/8/2011	Interpellation of Senator MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO;
6/8/2011	Period of interpellation closed;
6/8/2011	Period of committee amendments;
6/8/2011	Period of committee amendments closed;
6/8/2011	Period of individual amendments closed;
6/8/2011	Approved on Second Reading with Amendments;
6/14/2011	Printed copies were distributed to the Senators;
[ SECOND REGULAR SESSION, 15TH CONGRESS ]
7/26/2011	Approved on Third Reading;
7/26/2011	In favor: (15) EDGARDO J. ANGARA, JOKER P. ARROYO, PIA S. CAYETANO, FRANKLIN M. DRILON, JINGGOY P. EJERCITO-ESTRADA, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, TEOFISTO "TG" GUINGONA III, GREGORIO B. HONASAN II, PANFILO M. LACSON, MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID, LOREN B. LEGARDA, RAMON A. REVILLA JR., VICENTE C. SOTTO III, MANNY B. VILLAR and JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI;
7/26/2011	Against: (None) ;
7/26/2011	Abstention: (None) ;
8/2/2011	Sent to the House of Representatives requesting for concurrence;
[ THIRD REGULAR SESSION, 15TH CONGRESS ]
[ 2012 ]
9/3/2012	House of Representatives requested the Senate for a conference on the disagreeing provisions of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, designating Representatives Tupas Jr., Relampagos, Tanada III, Lagman, Nograles, Gunigundo I and Padilla as its conferees to the Bicameral Conference Committee on August 28, 2012;
9/4/2012	Senate accepted the request of the House of Representatives for a Conference on the disagreeing provisions of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, designating Senators Escudero, Guingona, Pimentel, Arroyo and Cayetano (A)as its conferees to the Bicameral Conference Committee;
10/16/2012	Conference Committee Report submitted to the Senate, recommending that SBN-2817 in consolidation with HBN-98 be approved as reconciled;
10/16/2012	Sponsorship speech on the conference committee report of Senator FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO;
10/16/2012	Conference Committee Report Approved by the Senate;
10/16/2012	Conference Committee Report approved by the House of Representatives (See: O.B. dated November 5, 2012);
11/12/2012	Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, sent to the House of Representatives, for the signature of the Speaker and the Secretary General;
11/20/2012	Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, received by the Senate, already signed by the Speaker and the Secretary General of the House of Representatives;
11/21/2012	Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, sent to the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office for the signature and approval of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III;
11/22/2012	Enrolled copies of the consolidated version of SBN-2817 and HBN-98, received by the Office of the President of the Philippines;
12/21/2012	Approved and signed into law by the President of the Philippines, His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, and became; (See: O.B. dated January 23, 2012);
12/21/2012	REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10353.