EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 231
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 231 - CREATING
THE PRESIDENTIAL FACT-FINDING AND POLICY ADVISORY COMMISSION ON THE
PROTECTION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
WHEREAS, recent events have evoked
the nation’s serious concern for and recognition of overseas Filipinos;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Philippine Government to be firmly
committed to the protection of overseas Filipinos;
WHEREAS, certain claims and assertions as well as accusations have been
made against some officials of the Philippine Government in connection
with its efforts to protect overseas Filipinos;
WHEREAS, there is a need to determine with utmost certainty the
circumstances surrounding recent events involving the policies and
actions of government in relation to the protection of overseas
Filipinos; and
WHEREAS, much can be learned from instances in which such policies and
actions of government have succeeded and from those which did not lead
to the desired results.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby
order:
Section 1. The Presidential Commission. — There is
hereby created a Presidential Fact-Finding and Policy Advisory
Commission on the Protection of Overseas Filipinos, hereinafter
referred to as the Commission. The Commission shall immediately begin
its work once it is constituted and shall accomplish its objectives
within three (3) months thereof, after which, unless otherwise ordered
by the President, the Commission shall be dissolved.
Sec. 2. Composition. — The Commission shall be
composed of a Chairman and six (6) members to be appointed by the
President, as follows:
2.1.
A retired Justice of the Supreme Court as Chairman;
2.2. Two (2)
members to represent overseas contract workers and organized labor,
respectively;
2.3. One (1)
member to represent employers;
2.4. One (1)
member to represent the Department of Social Welfare and Development;
2.5. One (1)
member to represent the National Commission on the Role of Filipino
Women; and
2.6. One (1)
member to represent the public-at-large.
Sec. 3. Objectives. — The Commission shall have
the following objectives:
3.1.
Determine particular and general facts and circumstances involving the
policies and actions of the Philippine Government and its agents
or officials in relation to the protection of overseas Filipinos,
particularly cases involving the criminal conviction of overseas
Filipinos, including the case of Mrs. Flor Contemplacion; and
3.2. Make
recommendations with a view to improving to improving the protection
afforded by the Philippine Government to overseas Filipinos, consonant
with international conventions and standards.
Sec. 4. Mandate. — The Commission, taking into
consideration its objectives, shall have the following mandate:
4.1.
Inquire into, examine and probe individual cases involving the
protection of overseas Filipino;
4.2. Seek the
views and opinions of and coordinate with the different sectors of
Philippine society, including people’s organizations, cooperatives,
media, and other non-government organizations;
4.3. Identify
instances which may require the filing of administrative and other
charges against Philippine Government officials and private
individuals, and recommend the filing of such criminal or
administrative charges as the case may be;
4.4. Formulate
recommendations, to include legislative measures, for the improvement
of the protection of overseas Filipinos by the Philippine Government;
and
4.5. Submit a
report on the Mrs. Flor Contemplacion case to the President within
fifteen (15) days from the constitution of the Commission.
Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. — The Commission, in
view of its objectives and in the discharge of its mandate, is hereby
empowered to:
5.1.
Call on any department, instrumentality or agency of the government for
assistance and cooperation.
5.2. In
accordance with existing laws, regulations and procedures, issue
compulsory processes to private individuals, groups or organizations as
well as government officials;
5.3. Through
appropriate diplomatic channels and with due regard to diplomatic
considerations, request for the cooperation of foreign governments;
and
5.4.
Promulgate its own administrative and procedural rules and regulations
to govern its actions and operations.
Sec. 6. Secretariat. — The Commission shall be
assisted by a Secretariat that shall provide administrative and office
support to the Commission to be composed of persons appointed by the
Chairman.
Sec. 7. Technical Panel. — There is hereby
constituted a Technical Panel composed of recognized and responsible
experts to be appointed by the Chairman in the fields of law, labor,
social welfare, and other relevant fields to provide technical
assistance and advice to the Commission. In order to provide an
effective line of communication and coordination with the appropriate
departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the Philippine
Government, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Labor and
Employment, Justice, Social Welfare and Development, Health, the
Overseas Workers Welfare and Administration and the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration may be invited to serve as members
of the Technical Panel.
Sec. 8. Office. — In coordination with agencies of
the Philippine Government, including government-owned or controlled
corporation, the Commission shall be provided with appropriate office
space.
Sec. 9. Funding. — Without prejudice to the
provision of additional funds, the initial amount of Five Million Pesos
(P5,000,000.00) from the President’s Contingent Fund is hereby provided
for the operations of the Commission.
Sec. 10. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall
take effect immediately.
Done in the city of Manila,
this 20th day of March in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and
Ninety-Five.
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Since 19.07.98.