Law Summary
Composition of the Commission
- Maximum of 25 members appointed by the President.
- Members to be individuals of national standing with expertise in government structure and powers.
- Specific sectors and groups represented include:
- Three retired Supreme Court justices
- Representative from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
- Chairpersons of Senate and House Committees on Constitutional Amendments
- Four representatives from academic institutions
- Representatives from business, women, youth, religious (two members), media, local government, labor, and agricultural sectors.
Qualifications of Members
- Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen.
- Must be a qualified voter.
- Must possess recognized probity, independence, nationalism, and patriotism.
Appointment and Duties of the Chairperson
- The President appoints the Chairperson of the Commission.
- Chairperson presides over all meetings, conferences, and proceedings.
Powers and Functions of the Commission
- Authority to determine its own procedural rules.
- Conduct public consultations to gather input from the Filipino people regarding constitutional reform.
Secretariat and Administrative Support
- The Commission is supported by a Secretariat for daily operations.
- The Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director appointed by the President.
Budget and Appropriation
- An initial operational budget of Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) allocated.
- Funds sourced from the Office of the President.
- Subject to standard accounting and auditing regulations.
Timeline and Deliverables
- Commission work begins on January 1, 1999.
- Completion deadline set for June 30, 1999.
- Upon completion, recommendations are to be presented to the President.
Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon issuance.