Policy, purpose, and constitutional-administrative basis
- Executive Order No. 735 is anchored on the need for coordinated national policy, legislative, administrative, and law enforcement approaches to prevent and combat transnational crime more effectively.
- The issuance cites the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which the Philippines signed on December 14, 2000 and ratified on May 28, 2002, as encouraging coordinated national approaches.
- The issuance also cites the ASEAN Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime and its implementing instruments, including the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Organized Crime and its Work Programme, calling for solidified governmental efforts in areas such as information exchange, training, legislation, law enforcement, institution-building, and extra-regional cooperation.
- Executive Order No. 735 explains that Executive Order No. 62 (dated January 15, 1999) created the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) to formulate and implement a concerted program of action of relevant agencies for prevention and control of transnational crime.
- Executive Order No. 735 cites Executive Order No. 265 dated January 23, 2004 as defining the institutional mechanism for the Government’s program to combat transnational crime.
- Executive Order No. 735 relies on Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of the Administrative Code of 1987, recognizing the President’s continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President.
Placement of PCTC under DILG
- Section 1 places the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) under the direct supervision and control of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
- The rule in Section 1 is designed to enhance cooperative action between PCTC and local government agencies.
Repeal or modification of inconsistent issuances
- Section 2 provides that all orders, rules, regulations, and issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with Executive Order No. 735 are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Section 3 states that Executive Order No. 735 shall take effect immediately.