Applicability
- Governs all investigations on agrarian reform matters handled by DAR or PARC, excluding those by the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB).
Conduct of Interviews Under Oath
- All interviews during investigations shall be administered under oath following rules from DAR Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 2011.
Authorization to Conduct Investigations
- Any investigation team must have an official written order, memorandum, instruction, or resolution signed by the responsible DAR or PARC official.
- The investigation team must carry a copy of the official authorization during fieldwork.
Notice Requirement Prior to Investigation
- All parties and their counsel must be notified at least three days before the investigation.
- The head of the team signs the written notice detailing date, place, time, and office conducting the investigation.
- Notice is posted on the barangay bulletin board by the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) and furnished to the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) chairperson.
- Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) and MARO are also informed and requested to attend.
- Parties are requested to prepare and submit relevant documents or pieces of evidence.
Pre-Investigation Briefing
- The team holds an organizational meeting and receives a briefing on the key issues, violations, and local dynamics.
- The briefing is prepared by designated DAR offices such as the Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistance (BALA), Special Concerns Staff (SCS), or PARC Secretariat.
Documentation of Investigation Proceedings
- Public Affairs Staff (PAS) of DAR documents investigations through video, audio recordings, and photographs.
- If PAS is unavailable, the team ensures recording proceeds.
- Travel expenses for PAS are borne by the requesting office.
Team Role Designations
- The team appoints members to specific roles: team leader, minutes taker, interpreter (if needed).
- MARO participation is encouraged due to local knowledge.
- Language used can be Filipino, English, or local dialect.
Essential Facts to be Determined
- Petitioner: personal data, CLOA or stockholder status, relation to land, complaint details, evidence, desired outcomes, pending cases.
- Respondent: personal data, authority to speak, defense and evidence, pending cases.
- Other interested parties: personal data, comments, evidence, desired outcomes.
- Site validation includes farmworker count, status, living conditions, land size and condition, crops, structures.
- All statements under oath and recorded.
Preparation and Signing of Minutes
- Minutes signed by interviewees and parties present.
- Content includes attendees, issues, agreements, disagreements, action items, and details of proceedings.
Video/Audio Transcript Requirements
- Transcript prepared within 20 working days from recording.
- Affidavits by recorders affirm recordings and transcripts are unaltered and accurate.
- Photographers similarly affirm the fidelity of photos.
Narrative Investigation Report Content and Submission
- Due within 30 working days after validation completion.
- Includes background facts (land description, parties, CARP history, circumstances).
- Discussion of issues, findings, violations, and supporting evidence with visuals and document excerpts.
- Annexes: investigation forms, documents list, attendance sheets, recordings, minutes, authority to administer oath, and other relevant papers.
- Signed by the majority of the investigation team.
Repealing Clause
- Supersedes inconsistent circulars, issuances, or portions thereof.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional, the validity of remaining provisions is unaffected.
Effectivity
- The circular takes effect ten days after signing and publication.