Compensation Increase for Pardons Board Members

Executive Order No. 154 is issued pursuant to the powers vested in the President by law.
Act No. 4103, as amended, establishes the Board of Pardons and Parole and its functions, including examining prisoners’ physical, mental, and moral records for parole eligibility and determining the proper time of release.
Executive Order No. 154 recognizes the Board’s role in assisting the President’s constitutional power to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons.
Section 69 of the 2002 General Appropriations Act authorizes the President to direct changes in the organization and key positions in any department or agency.
Section 3 directs the Board to act consistent with the Administrative Code of 1987, including the requirement that new Board rules and regulations be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Justice.

Section 1 provides that the Board of Pardons and Parole is composed, in accordance with Act No. 4103, as amended, of the Secretary of Justice, or his representative, who shall serve full-time as Chairman.
Section 1 provides that the Board has six (6) members consisting of:
- the Administrator of the Parole and Probation Administration as ex-officio member;
- a sociologist;
- a clergyman;
- an educator;
- a person with training and experience in correction work; and
- a member of the Philippine Bar.
Section 1 requires that one of the six (6) members is a woman.
Section 1 requires that the regular members of the Board serve full time.

Section 2 provides that the representative of the Secretary of Justice receives honoraria equivalent to the hiring rate of an Assistant Secretary (Salary Grade 29).
Section 2 provides that each regular member of the Board of Pardons and Parole receives honoraria equivalent to the hiring rate of a Bureau Director (Salary Grade 28).
Section 2 requires that the honoraria be granted in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Section 3 directs the Board of Pardons and Parole to review its Rules and Regulations dated December 20, 1989.
Section 3 directs the Board to establish and prescribe new rules and regulations to govern the proceedings of the Board.
Section 3 requires that the Board’s new rules and regulations be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Justice.

Section 4 requires the Board to review its existing organization, system and operations.
Section 4 requires the Board to do so within ninety (90) days from effectivity of this Executive Order.
Section 4 requires the Board to submit a report with recommendations to the Secretary of Justice.
Section 4 requires the Secretary of Justice to review and endorse the recommendations to the Office of the President for approval.
Section 4 provides that any changes in organization and staffing are subject to approval of the Department of Budget and Management.

Section 5 provides that the financial resources for changes in organization and staffing shall be taken from available funds of the Department of Justice.

Section 6 repeals or modifies accordingly all executive orders, instructions, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are contrary or inconsistent with Executive Order No. 154.