AN ACT CREATING A BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 157 (June 19, 1947)

Creation of the Bureau of Investigation
- A Bureau of Investigation is created under the Department of Justice. (Section 1)

Functions of the Bureau of Investigation
- Undertake investigations of crimes and other offenses against Philippine laws, on its own initiative or as public interest requires. (Section 1a)
- Render assistance when properly requested in the investigation or detection of crimes and other offenses. (Section 1b)
- Act as a national clearing house for criminal and other information for the benefit of all prosecuting and law enforcement entities in the Philippines. (Section 1c)
- Maintain identification records of persons without criminal convictions, records of identifying marks, characteristics, and ownership or possession of firearms and test bullets. (Section 1c)
- Provide technical aid to prosecuting and law enforcement officers, entities, and courts that request its services. (Section 1d)
- Extend services when properly requested in the investigation of administrative or civil cases in which the government is interested. (Section 1e)
- Undertake instruction and training of city and municipal peace officers on effective methods of crime investigation and detection, upon request of their superiors. (Section 1f)
- Establish and maintain an up-to-date scientific crime laboratory and conduct research in furtherance of scientific knowledge in criminal investigation. (Section 1g)
- Perform other related functions assigned by the Secretary of Justice. (Section 1h)

Leadership and Personnel
- The Bureau of Investigation shall be headed by a Director appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the Congress, with an annual compensation of 7,200 pesos. (Section 2)
- The composition and size of the personnel shall be determined by the Director. (Section 3)
- The present personnel of the Division of Investigation shall be transferred to and form the nucleus of the new Bureau. (Section 3)

Appointment and Qualifications
- Appointments shall be made based on merit and fitness, determined as far as practicable by competitive mental and physical examinations and after adequate instruction and training. (Section 4)
- Promotions shall be made with due regard to seniority and past record of efficiency. (Section 4)
- Personnel appointed for general investigation shall be, as far as practicable, graduates of recognized law schools or colleges, members of the bar, or certified public accountants. (Section 4)
- Those with at least 10 years of experience and training in other law enforcement organizations may be appointed when a special need arises. (Section 4)

Powers of Investigation Staff
- Members of the investigation staff shall be peace officers with the following powers: (Section 5)
- Make arrests, searches, and seizures in accordance with existing laws and rules. (Section 5a)
- Issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum for the appearance of any person for investigation at government expense. (Section 5b)
- Take and require sworn truthful statements of summoned persons in relation to cases under investigation, subject to constitutional restrictions. (Section 5c)
- Administer oaths upon cases under investigation. (Section 5d)
- Possess suitable and adequate firearms for personal protection in connection with their duties and for the proper protection of witnesses and persons in custody, without requiring a special permit. (Section 5e)
- Have access to all public records and, upon authority of the President of the Philippines in the exercise of his visitorial powers, to records of private parties and concerns. (Section 5f)

Abolition and Transfer of Resources
- The Division of Investigation of the Department of Justice shall be abolished. (Section 6)
- All unexpended appropriations, supplies, materials, and scientific equipment of the Division of Investigation shall be transferred to the Bureau of Investigation. (Section 7)

Appropriation
- An additional sum of 500,000 pesos is appropriated from the National Treasury for the salaries and wages, traveling and other expenses of personnel, purchase of necessary supplies, materials and equipment, and other purposes. (Section 8)

Repeal and Effectivity
- Commonwealth Act No. 181 and any other act or provisions inconsistent with this Act are repealed. (Section 9)
- This Act shall take effect upon its approval. (Section 10)