Law to modernize NBI awaiting Aquino's signature

MANILA, Philippines (Philippine News Agency) — The proposed National Bureau of Investigation Modernization Act reached the Office of the President on Thursday, awaiting President Benigno Aquino III's signature before his term ends on June 30.

House Bill 5855, authored by reelected Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero and outgoing Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, seeks to expand the structure, capability and manpower of the NBI to meet the increasing demands of investigative and detective work.

The bill also intends to modernize the facilities and intelligence devices, establishment of forensic and scientific laboratories and training of NBI personnel.

The proposed measure mandates the NBI to prioritize cases such as human trafficking, extrajudicial killings, Cybercrime Prevention Act violations, anti-dummy Law violations, and threats to security or assaults against the persons of the president, vice president, Senate president, house speaker and chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The agency is also expected to tackle syndicate related cases, mass fatality caused by natural disasters and commercial, economic and financial crimes under the measure.

The bill also allows the organizational structure of the NBI office to be reorganized as part of the enhancement program.

Thirty percent of the funds coming from the collections of NBI clearance fees will be used for the bureau’s modernization for three years but shall not exceed annual appropriation of P15 million.

Moreover, NBI employees who are exposed to danger while on duty may also get hazard pay amounting to P4,000 monthly.

HB 5855 repeals the 1947 Republic Act 157, amends 1960 Republic Act 2678 and Executive Order 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987.

Other authors of the bill are reelected Davao del Sur Reps. Karlo Alexei Nograles, Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Ann Hofer, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting.