Law Summary
Grant of Amnesty
- Amnesty applies to crimes committed on or before 30 days after publication of the proclamation.
- Those eligible must apply within the period prescribed.
Effects of Amnesty
- Extinguishes criminal liability for political acts covered by the amnesty.
- Does not extinguish civil liability for damages caused to private persons.
- Restores civil and political rights lost due to criminal conviction.
- Does not automatically reintegrate former AFP and PNP personnel into service.
- Reintegration governed by existing laws, but amnesty reinstates retirement and separation benefits if otherwise qualified.
Firearms Surrender
- Surrender of firearms, ammunition, and explosives not a condition for amnesty.
- Firearms may be surrendered within 60 days from effectivity without liability for illegal possession.
- Government encourages turnover of firearms and explosives.
National Amnesty Commission
- Created to receive, process, and decide on amnesty applications.
- Decisions appealable to the Court of Appeals.
- Powers include administering oaths, subpoenaing witnesses and documents, promulgating rules, calling on government agencies for assistance.
- Can constitute Local Amnesty Boards as needed.
- Composed of 7 members: Presidentially appointed chairperson and three members, plus the Secretaries of Justice, National Defense, and Interior and Local Government as ex-officio members.
- Funded from the Office of the President budget.
- Term ends upon task completion.
Eligibility to Apply
- Open to all persons who committed crimes listed within prescribed period including those detained, charged, or convicted.
Application Period
- Applications to be filed under oath within six months from proclamation effectivity.
Effectivity
- Proclamation takes effect upon majority concurrence of Congress members.