ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 84 - CREATING A COMMISSION TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT FACT-FINDING INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS OF MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THE MARCH 4, APRIL 2 AND APRIL 3, 2003 BOMBINGS IN DAVAO CITY

I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation. — There is hereby created a Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to conduct an independent fact-finding investigation of allegations of military involvement in the March 4, April 2 and April 3, 2003 bombings in Davao City. 

Sec. 2. Composition. — The Commission shall be composed of the following:

Chairman : Rev. Father Pedro B. Maniwang
Members : Anita Alfelor Alagaban
Joji Ilagan Bian
Naguib G. Sinarimbo
a representative from the Department of Justice (DOJ)

Sec. 3. Powers and Functions. — The Commission shall have the following powers and functions:

a. Possess all the powers of an investigative body under Sec. 37, Chapter 9, Book I of the Administrative Code of 1987, including the power to summon witnesses, administer oath, take testimony or evidence relevant to the investigation and to issue compulsory processes to produce documents, books, records and such other matters, in the performance of its functions;

b. Call upon any agency of the Government for such assistance as it may require in the discharge of its functions; and 

c. Perform any and all acts as may be necessary and appropriate to implement this Order, subject to the approval of the President.

Sec. 4. Tenure and Turn Over of Records. — The Commission is hereby given thirty (30) days from its constitution, to include its investigation and submit to the Office of the President, through the Executive Secretary, its findings and recommendations together with the complete records of its investigation.

Sec. 5. Secretariat. — The DOJ shall establish a Special Secretariat for the technical and staff support of the Commission. For this purpose, the Secretary of Justice is hereby authorized to detail any personnel from the DOJ to assist the Commission.

Sec. 6. Funding. — Funding for the operation of the Commission shall be sourced from any available funds in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management.  

Sec. 7. Effectivity. — This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

City of Manila, September 18, 2003