Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1130)
The main purpose of the Anti-Dummy Board is to ensure the implementation of all provisions of the Constitution, nationalization laws, and other legal provisions requiring Philippine citizenship or citizenship of another specific country for the exercise or enjoyment of rights, franchises, privileges, property, or business. The Board coordinates government agencies to enforce these provisions and prevents evasion or circumvention of such laws.
The Anti-Dummy Board is composed of the Secretary of Justice as the ex officio Chairman and four other members appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
Members must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, must have continuously resided in the Philippines for at least ten years before appointment, and must be citizens of good standing.
The Anti-Dummy Board's duties include investigating violations and prosecuting violators (dummies), providing services to informers, participating as amicus curiae in cases arising from dummy cases, conducting educational campaigns, organizing local subcommittees, issuing rules and regulations for its governance, and other duties enabling it to fulfill its purpose.
The Board can issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, designate officers or investigators to administer oaths during investigations, and examine books and accounts of persons, associations, or corporations involved in dummy cases.
The main office is in the City of Manila. A quorum requires the presence of three members of the Board to transact business.
Apart from the Secretary of Justice who acts as Chairman by virtue of office, the President appoints the four members with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
The Secretary-Treasurer, appointed by the Board and a member of the Philippine Bar, keeps minutes of proceedings, manages funds, approves payments, and performs other duties assigned by the Board.
No, government officials appointed as members of the Board shall not receive extra compensation as members.
Permanent officials and employees of the Board, those detailed on special duty, members of the Philippine Constabulary, city and municipal police, Bureau of Internal Revenue agents, Bureau of Immigration agents, and other government officers designated by the Chairman are deputies with full authority to enforce the law and arrest offenders.