Republic Act No. 6975

This Act shall be known as the "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990. "

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to promote peace and order, ensure public safety and further strengthen local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of the basic services to the citizenry through the establishment of a highly efficient and competent police force that is national in scope and civilian in character. Towards this end, the State shall bolster a system of coordination and cooperation among the citizenry, local executives and the integrated law enforcement and public safety agencies created under this Act.

The police force shall be organized, trained and equipped primarily for the performance of police functions. Its national scope and civilian character shall be paramount. No element of the police force shall be military nor shall any position thereof be occupied by active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Subject to the limitations provided in the Constitution, the President shall recommend to Congress the promulgation of policies on public order and safety to protect the citizenry from all forms of lawlessness, criminality and other threats to peace and order.

CHAPTER I

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

To carry out the policies and purposes of this Act, the Department of Local Government is hereby reorganized into the Department of the Interior and Local Government, hereinafter referred to as the Department, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

In furtherance of the objectives of this Act, the Department shall continue to exercise the powers and functions of the Department of Local Government in addition to the powers and functions as herein provided.

The Department shall consist of the Department Proper, the existing bureaus and offices of the Department of Local Government, the National Police Commission, the Philippine Public Safety College, and the following bureaus: the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The Department Proper shall consist of the existing staff services as provided for under Executive Order No. 262 and the following offices:

The head of the Department. – The head of the Department, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall also be the ex-officio Chairman of the National Police Commission and shall be appointed by the President subject to confirmation of the Commission on Appointments. No retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as Secretary within one (1) year from the date of his retirement or resignation.

The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the Department's powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the President and shall receive the compensation, allowances and other emoluments to which heads of departments are entitled.

In addition to his powers and functions as provided in Executive Order No. 262, the Secretary as Department head shall have the following powers and functions:

The Department shall establish, operate and maintain a regional office in each of the administrative regions of the country to implement the policies and programs of the Department. Each regional office shall be headed by a regional director to be assisted by two (2) assistant regional directors: one (1) for jail management and penology and another for fire protection in addition to the present assistant regional directors of the Department of Local Government.

During a period of twenty-four (24) months from the effectivity of this Act, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shall continue its present role of preserving the internal and external security of the State: Provided, That said period may be extended by the President, if he finds it justifiable, for another period not exceeding twenty-four (24) months, after which, the Department shall automatically take over from the AFP the primary role of preserving internal security, leaving to the AFP its primary role of preserving external security. However, even after the Department has assumed primary responsibility on matters affecting internal security, including the suppression of insurgency, and there are serious threats to national security and public order, such as where insurgents have gained considerable foothold in the community thereby necessitating the employment of bigger tactical forces and the utilization of higher caliber armaments and better armored vehicles, the President may, upon recommendation of the peace and order council, call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assume the primary role and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to play the supportive role in the area concerned.

In times of national emergency, all elements of the PNP, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology shall, upon direction of the President, assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines in meeting the national emergency.

The complementary relationship between the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense in any of the preceding eventualities shall be jointly prescribed by their respective Secretaries in a memorandum of agreement that shall thereafter be published and implemented.

CHAPTER II

THE NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION

A National Police Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is hereby created for the purpose of effectively discharging the functions prescribed in the Constitution and provided in this Act. The Commission shall be a collegial body within the Department. It shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) regular commissioners, one (1) of whom shall be designated as Vice-Chairman by the President. The Secretary of the Department shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Commission, while the Vice-Chairman shall act as the executive officer of the Commission.

The Commission shall exercise the following powers and functions:

No person shall be appointed regular member of the Commission unless:

The four (4) regular and full-time Commissioners shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary. Of the first four (4) commissioners to be appointed, two (2) commissioners shall serve for six (6) years and the two (2) other commissioners for four (4) years. All subsequent appointments shall be for a period of six (6) years each, without reappointment or extension.

In case of absence due to temporary or permanent incapacity of the Chairman, the President shall designate an Acting Chairman. In case of death or permanent incapacity or disqualification of the Chairman, the Acting Chairman shall also act as such until a new Chairman shall have been appointed and qualified.

The members of the Commission may be removed from office for cause. All vacancies in the Commission, except through expiration of term, shall be filled up for the unexpired term only: Provided, That any person who shall be appointed in this case shall be eligible for regular appointment for another full term.

The Chairman and members of the Commission shall not engage in the practice of any profession, or intervene, directly or indirectly, in the management and control of any private enterprise. They shall not, directly or indirectly, have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office.

The Commission shall consist of the following units:

The National Appellate Board shall decide cases on appeal from decisions rendered by the PNP chief, while the regional appellate boards shall decide cases on appeal from decisions rendered by officers other than the PNP chief, the mayor, and the People Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) created hereunder.

The Commission shall establish, operate and maintain regional offices headed by regional directors who shall implement the policies and programs of the Commission in their respective regions. For administrative purposes, the regional offices of the Commission shall be attached to the general offices of the Department.

Subject to the standards that shall be prescribed by the Commission, the regional offices shall likewise perform the functions of adjudication of benefit claims.

No person shall be appointed regional director unless:

Subject to the limitations provided for in this Act, the Philippine National Police, hereinafter referred to as the PNP, is hereby established, initially consisting of the members of the police forces who were integrated into the Integrated National Police (INP) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 765, and the officers and enlisted personnel of the Philippine Constabulary (PC). For purposes of this Act, the officers and enlisted personnel of the PC shall include those assigned with the Narcotics Command (NARCOM) or the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS); and those of the technical services of the AFP assigned with the PC and the civilian operatives of the CIS. The regular operatives of the abolished NAPOLCOM Inspection, Investigation and Intelligence Branch may also be absorbed by the PNP. In addition, a PC officer or enlisted personnel may transfer to any of the branches or services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in accordance with the provisions of Section 85 of this Act.

In order to be qualified for transfer to the PNP units in Metropolitan Manila and in highly urbanized cities, an individual must have completed not less than second year collegiate work or its equivalent in training of seventy-two (72) collegiate units.

Anyone who has any pending administrative or criminal case or has been adjudged liable or convicted of any crime pending appeal shall be allowed to join the PNP provisionally without prejudice to final judgment by a body of competent jurisdiction.

The permanent civilian employees of the present PC, INP, Narcotics Command, CIS, and the technical services of the AFP assigned with the PC, including NAPOLCOM hearing officers holding regular items as such, shall be absorbed by the Department as employees thereof, subject to existing laws and regulations.

The PNP shall have the following powers and functions:

In addition, the PNP shall absorb the office of the National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking (NACAH) of the Department of National Defense, all the functions of the present Philippine Air Force Security Command (PAFSECOM), as well as the police functions of the Coast Guard. In order to perform its powers and functions efficiently and effectively, the PNP shall be provided with adequate land, sea, and air capabilities and all necessary material means of resources.

The PNP shall be headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by two (2) deputy chief, one (1) for operations and one (1) for administration, both of whom shall be appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Commission from among the most senior and qualified officers in the service: Provided, however, That in no case shall any officer who has retired or is retirable within six (6) months from his compulsory retirement age be appointed as Chief of the PNP. The PNP shall be composed of a national office, regional offices, provincial offices, district offices, city or municipal stations.

At the national level, the PNP shall maintain its office in Metropolitan Manila which shall house the directorial staff, service staff and special support units.

At the regional level, the PNP shall have regional offices, including that of the National Capital Region, which may be divided into two (2) separate regions without prejudice to the pertinent provisions of the Organic Act for the Autonomous Regions of the Cordilleras and Muslim Mindanao relative to the creation of a regional police force in the area of autonomy. Each of these regional offices shall be headed by a regional director for peace and order.

At the provincial level, there shall be a PNP office, each headed by a provincial director. In the case of large provinces, police districts may be established by the Commission to be headed by a district director.

At the city or municipal level, there shall be a PNP station, each headed by a chief of police.

The Chief of the PNP shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act and in accordance with the broad guidelines set forth herein, recommend the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PNP to the Commission.

The command and direction of the PNP shall be vested in the Chief of the PNP who shall have the power to direct and control tactical as well as strategic movements, deployment, placement, utilization of the PNP or any of its units and personnel, including its equipment, facilities and other resources. Such command and direction of the Chief of the PNP may be delegated to subordinate officials with the respect to the units under their respective commands, in accordance with the rules and regulation prescribed by the Commission. The Chief of the PNP shall also have the power to issue detailed implementing policies and instructions regarding personnel, funds, properties, records, correspondence and such other matters as may be necessary to effectivity carry out the functions, powers and duties of the Bureau. The Chief of the PNP shall be appointed by the President from among the senior officers down to the rank of chief superintendent, subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments: Provided, That the Chief of the PNP shall serve a term of office not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, further, That in times of war or other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such term of office.

On the average nationwide, the manning levels of the PNP shall be approximately in accordance with a police-to-population ratio of one (1) policeman for every five hundred (500) persons. The actual strength by cities and municipalities shall depend on the state of peace and order, population density and actual demands of the service in the particular area: Provided, That the minimum police-to-population ratio shall not be less than one (1) policeman for every one thousand (1,000) persons: Provided, further, That urban areas shall have a higher minimum police-to-population ratio as may be prescribed by regulations.

For purposes of efficient administration, supervision and control, the rank classification of the members of the PNP shall be as follows:

Director General

Deputy Director General

Director

Chief Superintendent

Senior Superintendent

Superintendent

Chief Inspector

Senior Inspector

Inspector

Senior Police Officer IV

Senior Police Officer III

Senior Police Officer II

Senior Police Officer I

Police Officer III

Police Officer II

Police Officer I

The head of the PNP with the rank director general shall have the position title of Chief of the PNP. The second in command of the PNP with the rank of deputy director general shall be the Deputy Chief of the PNP for Administration. The third in command with the rank also of deputy director general shall be the Deputy Chief of the PNP for Operations.

At the national office, the head of the directorial staff with the rank of deputy director general shall be known as Chief of the Directorial Staff of the PNP.

The heads of the various staff divisions in the directorial staff shall have the rank of director with the position title of Director of the Directorial Staff of their respective functional divisions. The head of the Inspectorate Division with the rank of chief superintendent shall assume the position title of Inspector General. The heads of the administrative and operational support divisions shall have the rank of chief superintendent.

The head of the NCR with the rank of director shall assume the position title of NCR Director.

The heads of the regional offices with the rank of chief superintendent shall assume the position title of Regional Director.

The heads of the NCR district offices with the rank of chief superintendent shall have the position title of District Director.

The heads of provincial offices with the rank of senior superintendent shall be known as Provincial Director.

The heads of the district offices with the rank of superintendent shall have the position title of District Director.

The heads of the municipality or city offices with the rank of chief inspector shall be known as Chief of Police.

No person shall be appointed as officer or member of the PNP unless he possesses the following minimum qualifications:

The appointment of the officers and members of the PNP shall be effected in the following manner:

The Civil Service Commission shall administer the qualifying entrance examinations for policemen on the basis of the standards set by the NAPOLCOM.

In general, all original appointments of commissioned officers in the PNP shall commence with the rank of inspector, to include all those with highly technical qualifications applying for the PNP technical services, such as dentist, optometrists, nurses, engineers, and graduates of forensic sciences. Doctors of medicine, members of the Bar, and chaplains shall be appointed to the rank of senior inspector in their particular technical service. Graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) shall be automatically appointed to the initial rank of inspector. Licensed criminologists may be appointed to the rank of inspector to fill up any vacancy after promotions from the ranks are completed.

No person may be appointed chief of a city police station unless he holds a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution of learning or has served in the Philippine Constabulary or in the police department of any city or municipality with the rank of captain or its equivalent therein for at least three (3) years.

No person may be appointed chief of a municipal police station unless he holds a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution of learning or has served as officer in the Philippine Constabulary or in the police department of any city or municipality for at least two (2) years with the rank lieutenant or its equivalent: Provided, That a member of the Bar with at least five (5) years experience in active law practice and who possesses the general qualifications under Section 30 of this Act shall be qualified for appointment as chief of a city or municipal police station: Provided, further, That the chief of police shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 51, paragraph b), subparagraph (4) (i) of this Act.

The PNP shall be supported by administrative and operational support units. The administrative support units shall consist of the Crime Laboratory, Logistic Unit, Communications Unit, Computer Center, Finance Center and Civil Security Unit. The operational support units shall be composed of the Maritime Police Unit, Police Intelligence Unit, Police Security Unit, Criminal Investigation Unit, Special Action Force, Narcotics units, Aviation Security Unit, Traffic Management Unit, the Medical and Dental Centers and the Civil Relations Unit. To enhance police operational efficiency and effectiveness, the Chief of the PNP may constitute such other support units as may be necessary subject to the approval of the Commission: Provided, That no support unit headed by a chief superintendent or a higher rank can be created unless provided by law.

It shall also provide crime laboratory examination, evaluation and identification of physical evidences involved in crimes with primary emphasis on their medical, chemical, biological and physical nature.

There shall be likewise be established regional and city crime laboratories as may be necessary in all regions and cities of the country.

The unit shall likewise supervise the licensing and registration of firearms and explosives.

The approval applications for licenses to operate private security agencies, as well as the issuance of licenses to security guards and the licensing of firearms and explosives, shall be decentralized to the PNP regional offices.

This unit shall likewise investigate all major cases involving violations of the Revised Penal Code and operate against organized crime groups, unless the President assigns the case exclusively to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The members of the PNP shall be considered employees of the National Government and shall draw their salaries therefrom: Provided, That PNP members assigned in Metropolitan Manila, chartered cities and first class municipalities may be paid in additional monthly allowance by the local government unit concerned.

B. PROFESSIONALISM, WELFARE AND BENEFITS

There shall be established a performance evaluation system which shall be administered in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards, and a code of conduct promulgated by the Commission for members of the PNP. Such performance evaluation system be administered in such a way as to foster the improvement of individual efficiency and behavioral discipline as well as the promotion of organizational effectiveness and respect for the constitutional and human rights of citizens, democratic principles and ideals and the supremacy of civilian authority over the military.

The rating system as contemplated herein shall be based on standards prescribed by the Commission and shall consider results of annual physical, psychological and neuropsychiatric examinations conducted on the PNP officer or member concerned.

Compulsory retirement, for officer and non-officer, shall be upon the attainment of age fifty-six (56): Provided, That, in case of any officer with the rank of chief superintendent, director or deputy director general, the Commission may allow his retention in the service for an unextendible period of one (1) year.

Upon accumulation of at least twenty (20) years of satisfactory active service, an officer or non-officer, at his own request and with the approval of the Commission, shall be retired from the service and entitled to receive benefits provided by law.

C. ADMINISTRATIVE DISCIPLINARY MACHINERY

Any complaint by an individual person against any member of the PNP shall be brought before the following:

The Commission shall provide in its implementing rules and regulations a scale of penalties to be imposed upon any member of the PNP under this section.

For purposes of this Act, a "minor offense" shall refer to an act or omission not involving moral turpitude, but affecting the internal discipline of the PNP, and shall include, but not limited to:

The Chief of the PNP and regional directors, after due notice and summary hearings, may immediately remove or dismiss any respondent PNP member in any of the following cases:

The Chairman of the PLEB shall be elected from among its members. The term of office of the members of the PLEB shall be for a period of two (2) years from assumption of office. Such member shall hold office until his successor shall have been chosen and qualified.

The formal administrative disciplinary machinery for the PNP shall be the National Appellate Board and the regional appellate boards.

The National Appellate Board shall consist of four (4) divisions, each division composed of a Commissioner as Chairman and two (2) other members. The Board shall consider appeals from decisions of the Chief of the PNP.

The National Appellate Board may conduct its hearings or sessions in Metropolitan Manila or any part of the country as it may deem necessary.

There shall be at least one (1) regional appellate board per administrative region in the country to be composed of a senior officer of the regional Commission as Chairman and one (1) representative each from the PNP, and the regional peace and order council as members. It shall consider appeals from decisions of the regional directors, other officials, mayors, and the PLEBs: Provided, That the Commission may create additional regional appellate boards as the need arises.

The disciplinary action imposed upon a member of the PNP shall be final and executory: Provided, That a disciplinary action imposed by the regional director or by the PLEB involving demotion or dismissal from the service may be appealed to the regional appellate board within ten (10) days from receipt of the copy of the notice of decision: Provided, further, That the disciplinary action imposed by the Chief of the PNP involving demotion or dismissal may be appealed to the National Appellate Board within ten (10) days from receipt thereof: Provided, furthermore, That the regional or National Appellate Board, as the case may be, shall decide the appeal within sixty (60) days from receipt of the notice of appeal: Provided, finally, That failure of the regional appellate board to act on the appeal within said period shall render the decision final and executory without prejudice, however, to the filing of an appeal by either party with the Secretary.

Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, criminal cases involving PNP members shall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the regular courts: Provided, That the courts-martial appointed pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1850 shall continue to try PC-INP members who have already been arraigned, to include appropriate actions thereon by the reviewing authorities pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 408, otherwise known as the Articles of War, as amended, and Executive Order No. 178, otherwise known as the Manual for Courts-Martial: Provided, further, That criminal cases against PC-INP members who may have not yet been arraigned upon the effectivity of this Act shall be transferred to the proper city or provincial prosecutor or municipal trial court judge.

Upon the filing of a complaint or information sufficient in form and substance against a member of the PNP for grave felonies where the penalty imposed by law is six (6) years and one (1) day or more, the court shall immediately suspend the accused from office until the case is terminated. Such case shall be subject to continuous trial and shall be terminated within ninety (90) days from arraignment of the accused.

A member of the PNP who may have been suspended from office in accordance with the provisions of this Act or who shall have been terminated or separated from office shall, upon acquittal from the charges against him, be entitled to reinstatement and to prompt payment of salary, allowances and other benefits withheld from him by reason of such suspension or termination.

The Secretary of the Department of Justice, the Chairman of the Commission or the Chief of the PNP may authorize lawyers of their respective agencies to provide legal assistance to any member of the PNP who is facing before the prosecutor's office, the court or any competent body, a charge or charges arising from any incident which is related to the performance of his official duty: Provided, That government lawyers so authorized shall have the power to administer oaths. The Secretary of Justice, the Chairman of the Commission, and the Chief of the PNP shall jointly promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

Officials of the Commission who are appointed by the President, as well as officers of the PNP from rank of inspector to senior superintendent, shall have the power to administer oaths on matters which are connected with the performance of their official duties.

D. PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL EXECUTIVES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PNP

Governors and mayors shall be deputized as representatives of the Commission in their respective territorial jurisdiction. As such, the local executives shall discharge the following functions:

The term "operational supervision and control" shall mean the power to direct, superintend, oversee and inspect the police units and forces.

It shall include the power to employ and deploy units or elements of the PNP, through the station commander, to ensure public safety and effective maintenance of peace and order within the locality. For this purpose, the term "employ" and "deploy" shall mean as follows:

"Employ" refers to utilization of units or elements of the PNP for purposes of protection of lives and properties, enforcement of laws, maintenance of peace and order, prevention of crimes, arrest of criminal offenders and bringing the offenders to justice, and ensuring public safety, particularly in the suppression of disorders, riots, lawless violence, rebellious seditious conspiracy, insurgency, subversion or other related activities.

"Deploy" shall mean the orderly organized physical movement of elements or units of the PNP within the province, city or municipality for purposes of employment as herein defined.

It shall, likewise, be the duty of the city or municipal mayor to sponsor periodic seminars for members of the PNP assigned or detailed in his city or municipality in order to update them regarding local ordinances and legislations.

The President may, upon consultation with the provincial governor and congressman concerned, suspend the power of operational supervision and control of any local executive over police units assigned or stationed in his jurisdiction for any of the following grounds:

Upon good cause shown, the President may, motu propio or upon the recommendation of the National Police Commission, restore such power withdrawn from any local executive.

CHAPTER IV

BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

The Bureau of Fire Protection, hereinafter referred to as the Fire Bureau, is hereby created initially consisting of the existing officers and uniformed members of the fire service of the Integrated National Police as constituted under Presidential Decree No. 765.

The Fire Bureau shall be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses and other structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaports, petroleum industry installations, plane crashes and other similar incidents, as well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws.

The Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.

The Fire Bureau shall be headed by a chief who shall be assisted by a deputy chief. It shall be composed of provincial offices, district offices and city or municipal stations.

At the provincial level, there shall be an office of the provincial fire marshall which shall implement the policies, plans and programs of the Department; and monitor, evaluate and coordinate the operations and activities of the fire service operating units at the city and municipal levels. In the case of large provinces, district offices may be established, to be headed by a district fire marshall.

At the city or municipal level, there shall be a fire station, each headed by a city or municipal fire marshall: Provided, That, in the case of large cities and municipalities, a district office with subordinate fire stations headed by a district fire marshall may be organized as necessary.

The Fire Chief shall recommended to the Secretary the organizational structure and staffing pattern, as well as the disciplinary machinery for officers and men of the Bureau, in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein and as provided in Section 85 of this Act.

The local government units at the city and municipal levels shall be responsible for the fire protection and various emergency services such as rescue and evacuation of injured people at fire-related incidents and, in general, all fire prevention and suppression measures to secure the safety of life and property of the citizenry.

There shall be established at least one (1) fire station with adequate personnel, firefighting facilities and equipment in every provincial capital, city and municipality subject to the standards, rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Department. The local government unit shall, however, provide the necessary and or site of the station.

The qualification standards of the members of the Fire Bureau shall be as prescribed by the Department based on the requirement of the service.

For purposes of efficient administration, supervision and control, the rank classification of the members of the Fire Bureau shall be as follows:

Director

Chief Superintendent

Senior Superintendent

Superintendent

Chief Inspector

Senior Inspector

Inspector

Senior Fire Officer IV

Senior Fire Officer III

Senior Fire Officer II

Senior Fire Officer I

Fire Officer III

Fire Officer II

Fire Officer I

The head of the Fire Bureau with the rank of director shall have the position title of Chief of the Fire Bureau. He shall be assisted by a deputy chief with the rank of chief superintendent.

The assistant heads of the Department's regional offices with the rank of senior superintendent shall assume the position title of Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection as provided in Section 11 of this Act; the heads of the NCR district offices with the rank of senior superintendent shall have the position title of District Fire Marshall; the heads of the provincial offices with the rank of superintendent shall be known as Provincial Fire Marshall; the heads of the district offices with the rank of chief inspector shall have the position title of District Fire Marshall; and the heads of the municipal or city stations with the rank of senior inspector shall be known as Chief of Municipal/City Fire Station.

CHAPTER V

BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, hereinafter referred to as the Jail Bureau, is hereby created initially consisting of officers and uniformed members of the Jail Management and Penology Service as constituted under Presidential Decree No. 765.

The Jail Bureau shall exercise supervision and control over all city and municipal jails. The provincial jails shall be supervised and controlled by the provincial government within its jurisdiction, whose expenses shall be subsidized by the National Government for not more than three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act.

The Jail Bureau shall be headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by a deputy chief.

The jail Bureau shall composed of city and municipal jails, each headed by a city or municipal jail warden: Provided, That, in the case of large cities and municipalities, a district jail with subordinate jails headed by a district jail warden may be established as necessary.

The Chief of the Jail Bureau shall recommended to the Secretary the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Bureau as well as the disciplinary machinery for officers and men of the Bureau in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein and as prescribed in Section 85 of this Act.

There shall be established and maintained in every district, city and municipality a secured, clean adequately equipped and sanitary jail for the custody and safekeeping of city and municipal prisoners, any fugitive from justice, or person detained awaiting investigation or trial and/or transfer to the national penitentiary, and/or violent mentally ill person who endangers himself or the safety of others, duly certified as such by the proper medical or health officer, pending the transfer to a medical institution.

The municipal or city jail service shall preferably be headed by a graduate of a four (4) year course in psychology, psychiatry, sociology, nursing, social work or criminology who shall assist in the immediate rehabilitation of individuals or detention of prisoners. Great care must be exercised so that the human rights of this prisoners are respected and protected, and their spiritual and physical well-being are properly and promptly attended to.

For purpose of efficient administration, supervision and control, the rank classification of the members of the Jail Bureau shall be as follows:

Director

Chief Superintendent

Senior Superintendent

Superintendent

Chief Inspector

Senior Inspector

Inspector

Senior Jail Officer IV

Senior Jail Officer III

Senior Jail Officer II

Senior Jail Officer I

Jail Officer III

Jail Officer II

Jail Officer I

The head of the Jail Bureau with the rank of director shall have the position title of Chief of Jail Bureau. He shall be assisted by a deputy chief with the rank of chief superintendent.

The assistant heads of the Department's regional offices with the rank of senior superintendent shall assume the position title of Assistant Regional Director of Jail Management and Penology as provided by Section 12 of this Act; the heads of district offices with the rank of chief inspector shall have the position title of District Jail Warden; and the heads of the city or municipal stations with the rank of senior inspector shall be known as City/Municipal Jail Warden.

CHAPTER VI

THE PHILIPPINE PUBLIC SAFETY COLLEGE

There is hereby created the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), which shall be the premier educational institution for the training, human resource development and continuing education of all personnel of the PNP, Fire and Jail Bureaus.

Said College shall be under the direct supervision of a Board of Trustees composed of the Secretary and the three (3) bureau heads.

The College shall consist of the present Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) established pursuant to Section 13 of Presidential Decree No. 1184, the Fire Service Training Center, the Philippine National Training Center (PNTC), the National Police College, and other special training centers as may be created by the Department, whose functions shall be as follows:

The structure and staffing pattern of the College shall be prescribed by the Secretary.

CHAPTER VII

COMMON PROVISIONS FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL

There shall be established an incentives and awards system which shall be administered by a board under such rules, regulations and standards as may be promulgated by the Department: Provided, That equivalent awards shall be given by the Department for every award duly given by respectable civic organizations in a nationwide selection for outstanding achievement and/or performance of any member.

It shall be the concern of the Department to provide leadership and assistance in developing health and welfare programs for its personnel.

The heads of all bureaus and other offices created under this Act shall take all proper steps towards the creation of an atmosphere conducive to a good supervisor-subordinate relationship and the improvement of personnel morale.

Uniformed personnel of the Department shall be entitled to a longevity pay of ten percent (10%) of their basic monthly salaries for every five (5) years of service, which shall be reckoned from the date of the personnel's original appointment in the AFP, or appointment in the police, fire jail or other allied services to the integration of the PC and the INP: Provided, That the totality of such longevity pay shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the basic pay. They shall also continue to enjoy the subsistence allowance, quarters allowance, clothing allowance cost of living allowance, hazard pay, and all other allowances as provided by existing laws.

For purposes of this Act, active service of the uniformed personnel shall refer to services rendered as an officer and non-officer, cadet, trainee or draftee in the PNP, Fire or Jail Force or in the municipal police prior to the integration of the PC-INP or in the AFP, and services rendered as a civilian official or employee in the Philippine Government prior to the date of separation or retirement from the PNP, Fire or Jail Force: Provided, That, for purposes of retirement he shall have rendered at least ten (10) years of active service as officer or non-officer in the AFP, and /or in the INP and/or in the PNP, Fire or Jail Force: Provided, further, That services rendered as cadet, probationary officer, trainee or draftee in the AFP or as cadet or trainee in the INP and PNP shall be credited for purposes of longevity pay: Provided, finally, That, for cadet services, the maximum number of service to be credited shall not exceed the duration of the pre-commissionship course specified in the curriculum.

An officer or non-officer who, having accumulated at least twenty (20) years of active service, incurs total permanent physical disability in line of duty shall be compulsorily retired: Provided, That, if he has accumulated less than twenty (20) years of active service, he shall be separated from the service and be entitled to a separation pay equivalent to one and one-fourth (11/4) months base pay for every year of service, or a fraction thereof, and longevity pay of the permanent grade he holds.

Uniformed personnel covered under this Act shall, for purposes of retirement pay, be retired in one (1) grade higher than the permanent grade last held: Provided, That they have served for at least one (1) year of active service in the permanent grade.

Monthly retirement pay shall be fifty percent (50%) of the base pay and longevity pay of the retired grade in case of twenty (20) years of active service, increasing by two and one-half percent (2.5%) for every year of active service rendered beyond twenty (20) years to a maximum of ninety percent (90%) for thirty-six (36) years of active service and over.

A uniformed personnel and/or his heirs shall be entitled to all benefits relative to the death or permanent incapacity of said personnel, as provided for under this Act, and/or other existing laws.

All benefits granted by this Act, including benefits received from the Government Service Insurance System, shall not be subject to attachment, levy, execution or any tax of whatever nature.

Any uniformed personnel who while in the performance of duty or by reason of his being an officer or member of the PNP, Fire or Jail Force, is officially confirmed missing in action, kidnapped or captured by lawless elements shall, while so absent, be entitled to receive or to have credited to his account the same pay and allowances to which such officer or uniformed member was entitled at the time of the incident: Provided, That the compulsory retirement of a person missing in action shall be processed to allow the members of the next of kin to enjoy the retirement benefits: Provided, further, That should the Chief of the PNP, Fire or Jail Force, as the same may be, upon the recommendation of the proper authority and/or immediate supervisor, subsequently determine that the officer or uniformed member concerned have been absent from duty without authority, such member or his heirs shall reimburse the PNP, Fire or Jail Force all such amount and allowances received by him in accordance with this section and the following section.

In case any uniformed personnel has been officially confirmed as missing in action under any of the circumstances provided in the preceding section, the Chief of the PNP, Fire or Jail Force, as the case may be, shall direct payment of the absent uniformed personnel's monthly salary and allowances and other emoluments pertinent thereto his/her heirs for their support for a maximum period of one (1) year from the date of commencement of absent or when last heard from as those kidnapped or captured by lawless elements.

Upon the termination of the one (1) year period as specified in the preceding section, the missing uniformed personnel shall be automatically terminated. In the event said personnel shall thereafter be found to have been alive and is not entitled to the benefits paid under the preceding sections of this Act, said benefits shall be reimbursed to the State within six (6) months from the discovery of the fact or his reappearance. However, if his continued disappearance was fraudulent or made in bad faith he shall, together with his co-conspirators, be prosecuted according to law.

Uniformed personnel shall have the right to present complaints and grievances to their superiors or commanders and have them heard and adjudicated as expeditiously as possible in the best interest of the service, with due regard to due process in every case. Such complaints or grievances shall be resolved at the lowest possible level in the unit of command and the respondent shall have the right to appeal from an adverse decision to higher authorities.

As professional police, fire and jail officers and members responsible for the maintenance of peace and order and public safety, the members and officers of the PNP, Fire or Jail Force are hereby prohibited from engaging in strikes, rallies, demonstrations and other similar concerted activities, or performing other acts prejudicial to good order and police discipline.

Any PNP, fire or Jail Force member found guilty by final judgment of violating the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be dismissed from the service without prejudice to whatever criminal or civil liability he may have incurred in relation to such violations.

CHAPTER VIII

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

The incumbent Secretary of the Department of Local Government shall perform the functions of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government on holdover capacity until such time when a new Secretary shall have been appointed by the President and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

A special Over-sight Committee is hereby created, composed of the Secretary as Chairman, the Secretary of Budget and Management as Co-chairman, the Secretary of National defense, the incumbent PC-INP Director General, the incumbent Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, the respective Chairmen of the Committee on Local Government and the Committee on National Defense and Security in the Senate, and the respective Chairmen of the Committee on Public Order and Security and the Committee on National Defense in the House of Representatives, as members, which shall plan and oversee the expeditious implementation of the transfer, merger and/or absorption into the Department of the personnel, property, appropriations and installations of involved agencies.

The implementation of this Act shall be undertaken in three (3) phases, to wit:

Phase I – Exercise of option by the uniformed members of the Philippine Constabulary, the PC elements assigned with the Narcotics Command, CIS, and the personnel of the technical services of the AFP assigned with the PC to include the regular CIS investigating agents and the operatives and agents of the NAPOLCOM Inspection, Investigation and Intelligence Branch, and the personnel of the absorbed National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking (NACAH) of the Department of National Defense to be completed within six (6) months from the date of the effectivity of this Act. At the end of this phase, all personnel from the INP, PC; AFP Technical Services, NACAH and NAPOLCOM Inspection, Investigation and Intelligence Branch shall have been covered by official orders assigning them to the PNP, Fire and Jail Forces by their respective units.

Phase II – Approval of the table of organization and equipment of all bureaus and offices created under this Act, preparation and filling up of their stalling pattern, transfer of assets to the Department and organization of the Commission, to be completed within twelve (12) months from the effectivity date hereof. At the end of this phase, all personnel to be absorbed by the Department shall have been issued appointment papers, and the organized Commission and the PNP shall be fully operational.

The PC officers and enlisted personnel who have not opted to join the PNP shall be reassigned to the Army, Navy or Air Force, or shall be allowed to retire under existing AFP rules and regulations. Any PC-INP officer or enlisted personnel may, within the twelve-month period from the effectivity of this Act, retire and be paid retirement benefits corresponding to a position two (2) ranks higher than his present grade, subject to the conditions that at the time he applies for retirement, he has rendered at least twenty (20) years of service and still has, at most, twenty-four (24) months of service remaining before the compulsory retirement age as provided by existing law for his office.

Phase III – Adjustment of ranks and establishment of one (1) lineal roster of officers and another for non-officers, and the rationalization of compensation and retirement systems; taking into consideration the existing compensation schemes and retirement and separation benefit systems of the different components of the PNP, to ensure that no member of the PNP shall suffer any diminution in basic longevity and incentive pays, allowances and retirement benefits due there before the creations of the PNP, to be completed within eighteen (18) months from the effectivity of this Act. To accomplish the task of Phase III, the Commission shall create a Board of officers composed of the following: NAPOLCOM Commissioner as Chairman and one (1) representative each for the PC, Budget and Management.

Upon the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall exercise administrative supervision as well as operational control over the transferred, merged and/or absorbed AFP and INP units. The incumbent Director General of the PC-INP shall continue to act as Director General of the PNP until such time as he shall have been replaced by the President.

The PNP shall absorb the functions of the PC, the INP and the Narcotics Command upon the effectivity of this Act.

All functions of the PAFSECOM and the police functions of the Coast Guard shall be taken over by the PNP when it acquires the capability to perform such functions after the transition period of eighteen (18) months. The personnel of the PAFSECOM or the Coast Guard shall, within the transition period, have the option to join the PNP or remain with the PAFSECOM or the Coast Guard, as the case may be.

The Department shall absorb the National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking under the Department of National Defense, and the transfer of assets, personnel and accountabilities of this office to the Department shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

All properties, equipment, finances of the transferred and absorbed agencies, including their respective accountabilities, are hereby transferred to the Department.

The transfer, merger and/or absorption of any government office/unit concerned shall include the functions, appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and liabilities, if any, of the transferred Office/unit as well as the personnel thereof, who shall; unless removed for cause and after due process; in a holdover capacity, continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and receive their corresponding salaries and benefits. Those personnel of the transferred, merged, and/or absorbed office/unit whose positions are not included in the new position structure and staffing pattern approved by the Department or who are not reappointed shall be given preference to join the Department or any of the offices thereunder or shall be allowed to retire under existing laws, rules and regulations. Otherwise, they shall be deemed separated and paid gratuity equivalent to one and one-fourth (11/4) months basic salary for every year of service or a fraction thereof.

The personnel of the existing Department of Local Government shall, unless removed for cause and after due process, continue to perform their duties and responsibilities and shall receive their corresponding salaries and benefits.

The heads of the various bureaus and offices created under this Act shall, within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, recommended the organizational structure and staffing pattern of their bureaus, and offices for approval by the Secretary.

Any provision hereof to the contrary notwithstanding and within the transition period of four (4) years following the effectivity of this Act, the following members of the INP shall be considered compulsorily retired:

Upon the effectivity of this Act, the present National Police Commission, and the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police shall cease to exist. The Philippine Constabulary, which is the nucleus of the integrated Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police, shall cease to be a major service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Integrated National Police, which is the civilian component of the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police, shall cease to be the national police force and in lieu thereof, a new police force shall be established and constituted pursuant to this Act.

CHAPTER IX

FINAL PROVISIONS

The Civil Service Law and its implementing rules and regulations shall apply to all personnel of the Department.

For purpose of organizing and constituting the Department, and for carrying out the provisions of this Act, the appropriations of the abolished, transferred or reconstituted offices for the current fiscal year shall be transferred to the Department. Thereafter, such as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Within ninety (90) days from his appointment, the Secretary shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.

If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not effect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions not affected thereby.

All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

The provisions of Executive Order No. 262 shall remain valid insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.

This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.