Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11131)
Republic Act No. 11131 is officially titled "The Philippine Criminology Profession Act of 2018."
The Act governs the examination, registration and licensure for criminologists; supervision, control and regulation of the practice of criminology; standardization and regulation of criminology education; development of professional competence through Continuing Professional Development; and integration of all criminology professional groups under an accredited professional organization.
The Board is composed of a Chairperson and four members appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of nominees endorsed by the Accredited Professional Organization (APO).
They must be natural-born Filipino citizens, residents of the Philippines, of good moral character and sound mind and body, graduates of Bachelor of Science in Criminology with a Post-Graduate Degree or a lawyer, registered criminologists with at least ten years of practice including two years of teaching experience in related subjects, members in good standing of the APO but not officers, and without any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in criminology schools or review centers.
It includes functions in law enforcement agencies, teaching criminology, forensic science and criminalistics, correctional administration, counseling and research in criminology-related projects, and private investigation among others.
An applicant must be a Filipino citizen or a foreigner with reciprocity, of good moral character and sound mind and body, a graduate of Bachelor in Criminology from a CHED-accredited school or equivalent foreign degree, must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, and if failed five times, must complete a refresher course.
The subjects include Criminal Jurisprudence and Procedure (20%), Law Enforcement Administration (20%), Crime Detection and Investigation (15%), Criminalistics (20%), Correctional Administration (10%), and Criminal Sociology (15%).
Grounds include violations of the Act, its rules, and code of ethics; conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; fraud in obtaining registration; gross incompetence; nonrenewal of professional ID for six years; aiding illegal practice; illegal practice during suspension; addiction impairing professional ability; and noncompliance with Continuing Professional Development requirements.
Penalties include a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 pesos, imprisonment from two years and one day to six years, or both, at the court's discretion. Offenses include practicing without valid registration, misuse of certificates, abetting illegal practice, fraud, impersonation, and violation of this Act's provisions.
They are exempt from other entrance or civil service exams and considered civil service eligible for various government positions related to law enforcement, investigation, corrections, public safety, including police officers up to superintendent rank, probation officers, parole officers, and special investigators among others.