Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 12)
The title is Presidential Decree No. 12, dated October 3, 1972.
The Philippines was placed under martial law pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972.
The main reason was that criminal and lawless elements conspired to undermine the faith of the people in the government and to overthrow it by force, violence, and deceit.
Ranking officers and members of the city and municipal police forces throughout the country are identified as among such criminal and lawless elements.
The urgent need to rid the police service of criminal and lawless elements and to inculcate discipline among city and municipal policemen.
Their principal function is investigating and disposing of administrative cases against all members of the city and municipal police forces.
Each Board is composed of a senior official of the Police Commission as Chairman, a senior officer of the Philippine Constabulary, and a representative of the Secretary of Justice as members.
They perform the function of the Police Commission en banc in reviewing and finally adjudicating administrative cases of members of police forces under the Police Act of 1966.
The Boards of Investigators investigated administrative cases; under PD No. 12, in lieu of the Board of Investigators, new boards are created with similar functions but under supervision of the Police Commission.
They must submit bi-monthly reports to the Chairman of the Police Commission indicating the status and disposition of cases referred to them.
It modifies and/or amends provisions of the Police Act of 1966 and any Executive Orders, rules, or regulations in conflict with this decree.
The Chairman of the Police Commission has the authority to promulgate such rules and regulations.