ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 85 -
CREATING A PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE REFORM COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A
REVIEW OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE AND RECOMMEND MEASURES AIMED
AT INSTITUTING REFORMS THEREIN
WHEREAS, it is 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
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;
WHEREAS, by virtue of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government Act of 1990 (Republic Act [R.A.] No. 6975), the Philippine
National Police (PNP) was established to, among others, enforce all
laws and laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and
properties and maintain peace and order and take all necessary steps to
ensure public safety;
WHEREAS, a number of problems affect the PNP underscored by the recent
escape of detention prisoners and reported negative incidents involving
police officers;
WHEREAS, there is a need to conduct a review of these problems
affecting the PNP aimed at instituting reforms at all levels of the PNP.
NOW, THEREFORE, 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
Philippine National Police Reform Commission, hereinafter referred to
as the Commission which shall review the various problems affecting the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and recommend measures aimed at
instituting reforms in the PNP.
Sec. 2. Composition. — The Commission shall be
composed of the following:
Chairman
: Former Ambassador Sedfrey A. Ordoñez
Members
: Secretary Simeon A. Datumanong
Atty. Miguel
B. Varela
Police
Director Hercules G. Cataluña
one (1)
junior PNP officer coming from the PNP Academy
one (1)
retired PNP Officer with the rank of Chief
Superintended
or above
Sec. 3. Powers and Functions. — The Commission
shall have the following powers and functions:
a.
Conduct a review and assessment of the problems affecting the
organization, function and operation of the PNP;
b. 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;
c. Engage the
services of resource persons, professionals and other personnel which
may be necessary to carry out its functions;
d. Call upon
any department, bureau, office, agency and instrumentality of
government as it may require in the discharge of its functions;
e. Recommend
comprehensive short-term and long term policies, strategies and
programs aimed at instituting reforms in the PNP;
f. 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 Turnover of Records. — The
Commission is hereby given ninety (90) days from its constitution to
conclude its review and submit to the Office of the President, through
the Executive Secretary, its findings and recommendations together with
the complete records of its review.
Sec. 5. Secretariat. — The Department of Justice
(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 19, 2003
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