JAN 6, 2016

NR # 4071B

Codification of all existing laws will protect and promote peoples rights
Mindanao lawmakers are pushing for the creation of the Code Commission of the
Philippines which shall review and codify all existing laws of the country.
We cannot overemphasize the necessity of codifying all our laws. There must be
an orderly arrangement, convenience of ascertainment and publicity of these laws,
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao Party-list Rep.
Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. stressed.
The two lawmakers are authors of HB 1433 entitled An Act creating the code
Commission of the Philippines to review and codify Philippines laws and appropriating
funds therefor.
Codifying all our laws will make them easily accessible to everyone in accordance
with the policy of the State to promote and protect the rights of the people, the authors
stressed.
The main objective of the proposed statute, they said, is to establish a systematic
form of arranging, compiling and publishing the whole mass of existing laws that will
enable everyone to consult the law easily and conveniently any time.
Laws are important elements in the promotion and protection of the rights and
interests of our people. However, while our country has sufficient laws, they are not fully
implemented, and are often violated because many of our fellowmen are not aware of the
existence of certain laws, the authors explained.
The Code Commission shall be composed of the following: a) Chairman representative of the Philippines Judicial Academy; b) Vice Chairman - representative of
the Department of Justice; c) Members: 1) One (1) representative from the University of
the Philippines Law Center; 2) One (1) representative from the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines; 3) Two (2) representatives from the Association of Law Deans of the
Philippines; and 4) Seven (7) reputable practicing lawyers or professors with extensive
knowledge, training or expertise, respectively, in Civil, corporation, Criminal, Labour,
Political, Remedial, and tax Laws.
The proposed Code Commission shall publish in systematic form the whole mass of
existing laws according to topic and subject so that they are made easily accessible to all,
allowing everybody the opportunity to consult the law any time, they added.

Aside from compiling, arranging, codifying and publishing the laws, the code
commission is also tasked, among its functions specified under HB 1433, may recommend
modification, amendment or repeal of a law when necessary.
HB 1433 provides that the Commission shall complete its work and shall submit the
details of the codes with its recommendations to the Congress of the Philippines not later
than five (5) years from its full organization.
The bill likewise provides for the compensation of the chairman and members of
the Commission, including per diem for every actual meeting attended at such amount to
be fixed by the Commission but not to exceed two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) per
meeting.
The Code Commission shall have its office in Metro Manila and may hold meetings
at such time and place within the Philippines, as the Commission may order in writing, the
bill provides.
The bill also provides for the hiring of employees, contractual personnel or
consultants, and an appropriation of a sum of P10-Million for its initial organization and
operation. The amount necessary for its continued operation shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.
The bill is now pending with the House Committee on Revision of laws chaired by
Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas. (30) dpt