Thursday, December 12, 2019
No ‘presumption of regularity’ in police killings - "Even when a suspect resists arrest, policemen do not automatically have the power to kill the suspect. In such a scenario, the duty of policemen is to use reasonable force in order to subdue and take the (living) suspect into custody."
See - https://opinion.inquirer.net/97074/no-presumption-regularity-police-killings
"x x x.
No ‘presumption of regularity’ in police killings
By: Joel Ruiz Butuyan - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 01:22 AM September 05, 2016
IT’S A mantra that top government officials keep chanting: Police killings enjoy a presumption of regularity.
This mantra is used in answer to voices of protest when someone is killed by police under suspicious circumstances, such as when an arrested suspect is killed inside a police car for allegedly attempting to grab an officer’s gun. This mantra is increasingly being heard as response to criticism against the mounting number of people killed by police in the administration’s war on drugs. A total of 929 people have been killed during police operations from July 1 to Aug. 31.
President Duterte has repeatedly invoked this presumption while defending police killings. Even Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, Solicitor General Jose Calida, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson vouch for its validity.
There is a presumption of regularity in the performance of government functions in general, but this presumption does not apply to police killings.
The general rule is that policemen only have the power of arrest. And policemen can essentially use the power of arrest in only two instances: 1) when a court has issued a warrant of arrest, and 2) when a person commits a crime in the presence of the police (warrantless arrest).
Even when a suspect resists arrest, policemen do not automatically have the power to kill the suspect. In such a scenario, the duty of policemen is to use reasonable force in order to subdue and take the (living) suspect into custody.
It is when the resistance employed by the suspect poses “imminent danger” to the life of a policeman or any other person that an exception to the power of arrest arises.
When there is imminent danger to any human life, policemen will be empowered to use deadly force even to the extent of killing the suspect. The imminent danger to human life is called a “justifying circumstance” (of self-defense, or defense of a stranger) that makes the killing lawful.
Is the existence of a justifying circumstance presumed in police killings?
The Supreme Court has ruled that a justifying circumstance is not presumed in police killings. Policemen who kill a suspect have the burden of proving the existence of such a circumstance.
One relevant ruling of the Supreme Court was issued in 2013 in Aguilar vs Department of Justice et al. (G.R. No. 197522). This case involved police and military personnel who arrested Francisco Aguilar for alleged extortion activities in Mindoro Occidental. Aguilar was handcuffed and taken on board a military jeep. The police claimed that, along the way, Aguilar tried to grab a grenade, so PO1 Leo Dangupon shot and killed him. The heirs of Aguilar claimed that he was a victim of extrajudicial killing, and filed murder charges against the security personnel.
The DOJ and the Court of Appeals dismissed the complaint by agreeing with the argument that “Dangupon enjoys the presumption of innocence and regularity in the performance of his official duties, which were not sufficiently rebutted” by Aguilar’s heirs.
On appeal, the Supreme Court ruled that “when the accused admits killing the victim, but invokes a justifying circumstance, the constitutional presumption of innocence is effectively waived and the burden of proving the existence of such circumstance shifts to the accused.” Since Dangupon admitted killing Aguilar, he had the burden of presenting evidence that the killing was attended by a justifying circumstance.
The high court found that Dangupon’s claimed justifying circumstance of self-defense was contradicted by evidence that Aguilar had voluntarily surrendered, was handcuffed, and could not have grabbed the grenade. The autopsy report also showed that Aguilar suffered multiple lacerations, mauling injuries, and five gunshot wounds all over his body. The high court reversed the dismissal and ordered the filing of murder charges against the policemen.
Another relevant case that the Supreme Court ruled on in 1989 is Ortega vs Sandiganbayan (G.R. No. L-57664). It involved policeman Angelito Ortega who was directing traffic in San Pablo, Laguna, when a pedestrian sought his help, claiming to have been a victim of extortion committed by one Marciano Donato. Ortega proceeded to where Donato was and tried to arrest him. In the course of the arrest, Ortega alleged, Donato tried to stab him with a knife, so he shot and killed Donato.
Charged with homicide, Ortega raised the justifying circumstance of self-defense. The Supreme Court declared that “where the accused had admitted that he is the author of the death of the victim and his defense anchored on self-defense, it is incumbent upon him to prove this justifying circumstance to the satisfaction of the court.”
The high court added: “To do so, he must rely on the strength of his own evidence and not on the weakness of the prosecution, for the accused himself had admitted the killing. The burden is upon the accused to prove clearly and sufficiently the elements of self-defense… Otherwise the conviction of the accused is inescapable.”
The Supreme Court found that Ortega’s claim of self-defense was contradicted by the autopsy report, inconsistencies in his testimony, and his failure to present Donato’s knife, among others. It convicted Ortega of homicide.
These cases should serve as cautionary tales for policemen who kill in gross violation of the law and who will interpret President Duterte’s assurance of protection as blanket authority to kill with reckless abandon. Besides, the President will be in power for only six years. Liability for murder expires only after 20 years.The law has a long arm. And a long memory.
x x x."
Read more: https://opinion.inquirer.net/97074/no-presumption-regularity-police-killings#ixzz67rHskHro
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Foreign workers must secure 'certificate of no objection' - DOLE - A 'certificate of no objection' is required for foreign nationals to secure a visa to work in the Philippines.
See - https://www.rappler.com/nation/245145-foreign-workers-must-secure-certificate-no-objection-dole
"x x x.
Foreign workers must secure 'certificate of no objection' - DOLE
A 'certificate of no objection' is required for foreign nationals to secure a visa to work in the Philippines
By Sofia Tomacruz
Published 3:45 PM, November 17, 2019
Updated 3:45 PM, November 17, 2019
www.rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Sunday, November 17, that foreigners who want to work in the Philippines will be required to secure of a "certificate of no objection" (CNO) before they could receive visas and permits from other government agencies.
A CNO certifies no party objects to the issuance of a work-related visa to work in their desired job in the Philippines.
According to DOLE, CNOs must be obtained by the following:
Personnel, participants, trainees, professors, technicians, and fellows entitled to 47(a)(2) or special non-immigrant visa under certain entities and programs of the Codified Visa Rules and Regulations of 2002 of the Department of Foreign Affairs
"Foreign nationals employed and/or seconded in a foreign enterprise that has existing agreement, understanding or document of similar nature with the Philippine government agencies"
How to get a CNO: The applicant must submit the following to the DOLE regional office which has jurisdiction over their prospective worksite:
Letter of request from the foreign enterprise or project implementor
Photocopy of passport bio page and entry visa/ latest admission with valid authorized stay,
Certified true copy of notarized contract of employment between the foreign national and its enterprise
The issuance or denial of a CNO can be expected within 3 working days after the receipt and evaluation of complete documentary requirements and payment of corresponding fees.
Requests for CNOs may be denied if the labor department receives information or objection against the employment of the foreign national, "misrepresentation of facts," false documents, or "derogatory information" from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.
Who are exempted from CNOs: Scholars, students, volunteers, and personnel of International Organizations entitled to a special non-immigrant visa, foreigners exempted under Section 7 of "The Rules and Procedures Governing Foreign Nationals Intending to Work in the Philippines", and those who are required to secure an Alien Employment Permit. – Rappler.com
x x x."
Estate tax under TRAIN Law - "The tax benefits brought by the TRAIN law cannot be underestimated. It seems that among the three common modes of transferring wealth (i.e. sale, donation and inheritance), inheritance is coming out to be the cheapest. This is because while the tax rates for the said three modes are all now at 6 percent, only inheritance tax is subject to huge deductions against the estate for tax computation purposes (i.e. P5 million in standard deduction and up to P10 million for the family home)."
See - https://business.inquirer.net/283722/is-estate-planning-necessary
"x x x.
Is estate planning necessary?
By: Efren Ll. Cruz - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:09 AM November 20, 2019
Question: I am in my early 40s. I believe I have adequately provided for my wife and two children. I have been hearing though that estate planning should be included in my personal financial planning. Is that necessary as we are not in the same level as the super-rich? Asked at “Ask a Friend, Ask Efren” FREE service at www.personalfinance.ph, SMS and Facebook
Answer: A good friend who happens to be an excellent lawyer told me that planning for the estate of the super-rich can really provide a lot of good script material for movies with all of the intricacies and drama involved.
The not-so-rich may not have the same intricacies with their estate but they can still have the drama. In addition, people may have been lulled into complacency with the lower inheritance tax of 6 percent and higher deductions afforded by the TRAIN law.
The tax benefits brought by the TRAIN law cannot be underestimated. It seems that among the three common modes of transferring wealth (i.e. sale, donation and inheritance), inheritance is coming out to be the cheapest. This is because while the tax rates for the said three modes are all now at 6 percent, only inheritance tax is subject to huge deductions against the estate for tax computation purposes (i.e. P5 million in standard deduction and up to P10 million for the family home).
In addition, frozen funds in bank accounts that are part of the estate can now be withdrawn by the heirs provided the 6-percent estate tax is paid on the amounts withdrawn.
But estate planning goes beyond tax computations and continues on to the equitable distribution and control of the estate among the heirs. This is where the professional estate planners come in.
The TRAIN law did not amend the types of (natural) heirs. Children and descendants are the primary compulsory heirs. The surviving spouse and illegitimate children are the concurrent compulsory heirs. Parents and ascendants of the decedent are the secondary compulsory heirs. Collateral heirs are relatives of the decedent within the fifth degree of consanguinity. The state is the final heir in the absence of all other heirs.
The sharing in the estate among the foregoing heirs is complex and is dependent on whether the transfer of the estate is done via a will or without a will (i.e. intestate succession) and whether the share in the estate is a legitime or part of the “free portion.” Legitime refers to the portion of the estate reserved for a compulsory heir.
In transferring the estate via will, for example a person can “will” most of his estate to be in the hands of his most responsible heir by giving more of the free portion to that heir provided the legitime for the other compulsory heirs is met. The trick is to find out what the legitime is for each heir. And while money is easily divisible, real properties are not.
At the Personal Finance Advisers, we were able to computerize the legitime tables (under succession via will and intestate succession) but not after we were almost hospitalized. That’s how complex the legitime tables are.
In the case of wills, there are two kinds, holographic and notarial. A holographic will is handwritten by the testator who is of sound mind at the time the will is written. A notarial will has many rules as to form. Experts on estate planning are terrific guides on will preparation.
The thing with estate planning is that it does not even end with the equitable distribution and control of the estate. Once everything is written and done, you will now need to focus on creating, growing and preserving your estate, in other words the real CD-RW (cash, debt, risk and wealth) management. We will talk about CD-RW management in succeeding articles.
For now, know that estate planning is an essential part of anyone’s personal finances, whether or not you are super-rich.
x x x."
Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/283722/is-estate-planning-necessary#ixzz67rFFqdiN
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:09 AM November 20, 2019
Question: I am in my early 40s. I believe I have adequately provided for my wife and two children. I have been hearing though that estate planning should be included in my personal financial planning. Is that necessary as we are not in the same level as the super-rich? Asked at “Ask a Friend, Ask Efren” FREE service at www.personalfinance.ph, SMS and Facebook
Answer: A good friend who happens to be an excellent lawyer told me that planning for the estate of the super-rich can really provide a lot of good script material for movies with all of the intricacies and drama involved.
The not-so-rich may not have the same intricacies with their estate but they can still have the drama. In addition, people may have been lulled into complacency with the lower inheritance tax of 6 percent and higher deductions afforded by the TRAIN law.
The tax benefits brought by the TRAIN law cannot be underestimated. It seems that among the three common modes of transferring wealth (i.e. sale, donation and inheritance), inheritance is coming out to be the cheapest. This is because while the tax rates for the said three modes are all now at 6 percent, only inheritance tax is subject to huge deductions against the estate for tax computation purposes (i.e. P5 million in standard deduction and up to P10 million for the family home).
In addition, frozen funds in bank accounts that are part of the estate can now be withdrawn by the heirs provided the 6-percent estate tax is paid on the amounts withdrawn.
But estate planning goes beyond tax computations and continues on to the equitable distribution and control of the estate among the heirs. This is where the professional estate planners come in.
The TRAIN law did not amend the types of (natural) heirs. Children and descendants are the primary compulsory heirs. The surviving spouse and illegitimate children are the concurrent compulsory heirs. Parents and ascendants of the decedent are the secondary compulsory heirs. Collateral heirs are relatives of the decedent within the fifth degree of consanguinity. The state is the final heir in the absence of all other heirs.
The sharing in the estate among the foregoing heirs is complex and is dependent on whether the transfer of the estate is done via a will or without a will (i.e. intestate succession) and whether the share in the estate is a legitime or part of the “free portion.” Legitime refers to the portion of the estate reserved for a compulsory heir.
In transferring the estate via will, for example a person can “will” most of his estate to be in the hands of his most responsible heir by giving more of the free portion to that heir provided the legitime for the other compulsory heirs is met. The trick is to find out what the legitime is for each heir. And while money is easily divisible, real properties are not.
At the Personal Finance Advisers, we were able to computerize the legitime tables (under succession via will and intestate succession) but not after we were almost hospitalized. That’s how complex the legitime tables are.
In the case of wills, there are two kinds, holographic and notarial. A holographic will is handwritten by the testator who is of sound mind at the time the will is written. A notarial will has many rules as to form. Experts on estate planning are terrific guides on will preparation.
The thing with estate planning is that it does not even end with the equitable distribution and control of the estate. Once everything is written and done, you will now need to focus on creating, growing and preserving your estate, in other words the real CD-RW (cash, debt, risk and wealth) management. We will talk about CD-RW management in succeeding articles.
For now, know that estate planning is an essential part of anyone’s personal finances, whether or not you are super-rich.
x x x."
Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/283722/is-estate-planning-necessary#ixzz67rFFqdiN
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4860, August 8, 1966 - AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TO OBTAIN SUCH FOREIGN LOANS AND CREDITS, OR TO INCUR SUCH FOREIGN INDEBTEDNESS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO FINANCE APPROVED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES OR PROJECTS, AND TO GUARANTEE, IN BEHALF OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, FOREIGN LOANS OBTAINED OR BONDS ISSUED BY CORPORATIONS OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT...
See - https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1966/ra_4860_1966.html
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4860 August 8, 1966
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TO OBTAIN SUCH FOREIGN LOANS AND CREDITS, OR TO INCUR SUCH FOREIGN INDEBTEDNESS, AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO FINANCE APPROVED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES OR PROJECTS, AND TO GUARANTEE, IN BEHALF OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, FOREIGN LOANS OBTAINED OR BONDS ISSUED BY CORPORATIONS OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES INCLUDING THOSE INCURRED FOR PURPOSES OF RE-LENDING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Section 1. The President of the Philippines is hereby authorized in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines to contract such loans, credits and indebtedness with foreign governments, agencies or instrumentalities of such foreign governments, foreign financial institutions, or other international organizations, with whom, or belonging to countries with which, the Philippines has diplomatic relations, as may be necessary and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, to enable the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to finance, either directly or through any government office, agency or instrumentality or any government-owned or controlled corporation, industrial, agricultural or other economic development purposes or projects authorized by law: Provided, That at least seventy-five per cent shall be spent for purposes or projects which are revenue-producing and self-liquidating, such as electrification, irrigation, river control and drainage, telecommunication, housing, construction and improvement of highways and bridges, airports, ports and harbors, school buildings, waterworks and artesian wells, air navigation facilities, development of fishing industry, and others: Provided, That such foreign loans shall be used to meet the foreign exchange requirements or liabilities incurred in connection with said development projects to cover the cost of equipment, related technical services and supplies, where the same are not obtainable within the Philippines at competitive prices as well as part of the pesos costs, other than working capital and operational expenses not exceeding twenty per cent of the loan: Provided, further, That in the case of roads, bridges, irrigation, portworks, river control, airports, and power, the amount shall not exceed seventy per cent of the loan.
The authority of the President of the Philippines as herein provided shall include the power to issue, for the purposes hereinbefore stated, bonds for sale in the international markets the income from which shall be fully tax-exempt in the Philippines.
Section 2. The total amount of loans, credit and indebtedness, excluding interests, which the President of the Philippines is authorized to incur under this Act shall not exceed one billion United States dollars or its equivalent in other foreign currencies at the exchange rate prevailing at the time the loans, credits and indebtedness are incurred: Provided, however, That the total loans, credits and indebtedness incurred under this Act shall not exceed two hundred fifty million in the fiscal year of the approval of this Act, and two hundred fifty million every fiscal year thereafter, all in United States dollars or its equivalent in other currencies.
All loans, credits and indebtedness under the preceding section shall be incurred only for particular projects in accordance with the approved economic program of the Government and after the plans of such projects shall have been prepared by the offices or agencies concerned, recommended by the National Economic Council and the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines, and approved by the President of the Philippines.
Section 3. The President of the Philippines is, likewise, hereby authorized, in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, to guarantee, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, foreign loans extended directly to, or bonds for sale in international markets issued by, corporations owned or controlled by the Government of the Philippines for industrial, agricultural or other economic development purposes or projects authorized by law, such as those mentioned in Section one of this Act, including the rehabilitation and modernization of the Philippine National Railways, the cash capital requirements of the Land Bank, electrification, irrigation, river control and drainage, telecommunication, housing, construction and/or improvement of highways, airports, ports and harbors, school buildings, waterworks and artesian wells, air navigation, development of the fishing industry, iron and nickel exploitation and development, and others: Provided, That at least seventy-five per cent shall be spent for purposes or projects which are revenue-producing and self-liquidating. The loans and/or bonded indebtedness of government-owned or controlled corporations which may be guaranteed by the President under this Act shall include those incurred by government-owned or controlled financial institutions for the purpose of re-lending to the private sector and the total amount thereof shall not be more than five hundred million United States dollars or its equivalent in other foreign currencies at the exchange rate prevailing at the time the guarantee is made: Provided, That the government-owned or controlled financial institutions shall relend the proceeds of such loans and/or or bonded indebtedness to Filipinos or to Filipino-owned or controlled corporations and partnerships, at least sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of the outstanding and paid-up capital of which is held by Filipino at the time the loan is incurred, such proportion to be maintained until such time as the loan is fully paid: Provided, however, That during anytime that any amount of the loan remains outstanding, failure to meet with the capital ownership requirement shall make the entire loan immediately due and demandable, together with all penalties and interests, plus an additional special penalty of two per centum on the total amount due.
Section 4. The implementation of this Act shall be subject to, and governed by, the provisions of Executive Order No. 236, dated February 13, 1957, prescribing procedures for the planning of development finances, the issuance of government securities, and the disbursement of proceeds, and creating the Fiscal Policy Council and the Technical Committee on Development Finance, as amended by Executive Order No. 26, dated May 26, 1966, not inconsistent with this Act, which are hereby adopted by reference and made an integral part of this Act.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the President, within thirty days after the opening of every regular session, to report to the Congress the amount of loans, credits and indebtedness contracted, as well as the guarantees extended, and the purposes and projects for which the loans, credits and indebtedness were incurred, and the guarantees extended, as well as such loans which may be reloaned to Filipino-owned or controlled corporations and similar purposes.
Section 6. The Congress shall appropriate the necessary amount out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to cover the payment of the principal and interest on such loans, credits or indebtedness as and when they shall become due.
Section 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: August 8, 1966
JOINT LEGISLATIVE-EXECUTIVE FOREIGN DEBT COUNCIL
See - https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1989/ra_6724_1989.html
Republic Act No. 6724 April 17, 1989
AN ACT ORGANIZING A JOINT LEGISLATIVE-EXECUTIVE FOREIGN DEBT COUNCIL, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
SECTION 1. Principles. - The task of solving the problem of foreign debt shall be guided by the following basic principles:
(1) The foreign debt service burden should be subordinate to the national development goals of alleviation of poverty, generation of more and productive employment, enhancement of social justice and equity, and promotion of sustainable economic growth. Growth, equity and social justice should have prior claims over and above foreign debt service;
(2) The Government shall take firm, innovative, responsible and pragmatic initiatives in dealing with the external debt problem;
(3) Foreign loan and debt restructuring agreements should not impair our country's sovereignty; and
(4) The people should be adequately informed and consulted, and their support mobilized at all levels of the policy formulation process through dialogues, public hearings and media.
Section 2. Organization of Joint Legislative-Executive Foreign Debt Council. - Within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act, there shall be organized an advisory body to be known as the Joint Legislative-Executive Foreign Debt Council, hereinafter called Council.
Section 3. Purposes and Objectives. - The Council shall have the following purposes and objectives:
(a) To recommend an independent and assertive policy on the country's external debt, foreign debt management and foreign debt service, which upholds the country's sovereignty and which promotes a sustained economic growth and a self-reliant economy;
(b) To undertake in-depth and detailed studies on all the policy options indicated herein and other options which the Council deems feasible or realistic;
(c) To enhance and facilitate cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive branches of government in formulating and implementing the Government's foreign debt management policy and strategy;
(d) To undertake a comprehensive study of the foreign debt burden particularly the external debt and other borrowings of the public and private sectors including all policies related thereto;
(e) To recommend measures that will ensure continuous and effective monitoring of the external debt of both the public and private sectors including the debt incurred by the Central Bank;
(f) To study and evaluate the impact of the foreign debt and external debt policies on the national development goals, the economic programs, and the lives of the people;
(g) To recommend measures for the effective collection of accounts from actual debtors whose obligations are assumed by the Government or any of its instrumentalities;
(h) To facilitate nationwide consultations and public hearings on the foreign debt;
(i) To conduct continuing studies and researches on policy options, strategies, and approaches to the foreign debt problem including the experiences of other debtor countries and to recommend such remedial and legislative measures as may be required.
Section 4. Policy Options. - In the discharge of its responsibilities, the Council may consider and develop the following options:
(1) Debt-to-Equity Program. - To expand the volume and coverage of the Central Bank Debt-to-Equity Swap Program by converting $5 billion, more or less, in the Philippine foreign debt instruments into equity investments in Philippine agriculture and industry under a 5-year program of $1 billion, more or less, per year with emphasis on new foreign exchange-earning and labor-intensive productive projects in various parts of the country, including factories operating below rated capacity or which have been closed down for lack of capital, under terms that will not unduly trigger inflation;
(2) Debt-for-Bonds Swap. - To retire $1.5 billion to $2 billion, more or less, of foreign debt by Philippine issuance of $1 billion, more or less, of Philippine dollar bonds collateralized by 20-year Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury Bonds or other suitable U.S. Government Bonds. The amount of $1 billion in Zero Coupon U.S. Treasury Bonds with twenty (20) years maturity can be purchased by using $200 million, more or less, from Philippine international reserves or anticipated inflows from foreign aid;
(3) Partial Use of U.S. Facilities Compensation. - To utilize a portion of the possible U.S. Facilities Compensation Package to acquire more U.S. Treasury Bonds or accept part-payment for the U.S. Facilities in U.S. Treasury Bonds for further exchange with Philippine debt instruments as indicated in Item (2) above;
(4) Japanese Bonds and other Foreign Currency Denominated Bonds. - To utilize a portion of Japanese and other foreign economic development assistance funds to acquire Japanese and other foreign currency denominated bonds to collateralize issuance of Philippine currency denominated bonds similar to the U.S. Bonds formula, as explained in Items (2) and (3) above;
(5) Use of Official Aid. - To use a portion of official aid from other sources to fund Philippine purchases of U.S. Treasury Bonds or Japanese Bonds to further enlarge the Debt-for-Bonds Swap Program;
(6) Co-Guarantors. - To request the World Bank or other official multilateral financial institution to co-guarantee the coupon rate or interest rate of Philippine dollar bonds in support of the Debt-for-Bonds Swap Program. Foreign buyers are then assured of payments not only on the principal but also on the interest;
(7) Interest Cap. - To reduce interest rate payments to four percent (4%) to five percent (5%) of principal, more or less, per year on the loans granted by the foreign commercial banks to the Philippines;
(8) Capitalization of Interest Balance. - Under the Interest Rate Reduction Scheme in Item (7), the unpaid interest portion in this proposal, shall be added to the principal amount to be repaid when the loan matures. Further, the Philippines may issue to international creditors a new dollar-denominated instrument corresponding to the unpaid interest balance with incentive features;
(9) Interest Waivers. - In lieu of or complementary to Items (7) and (8), to negotiate with the foreign commercial banks for interest waivers of two percent (2%) to four percent (4%), which the World Bank is considering to endorse;
(10) Condonation of a Portion of Commercial Loan. - To request the foreign commercial banks to condone at least fifteen percent (15%) of their loans to the Philippines since some of these institutions have already announced loan-loss provisions of twenty percent (20%) to thirty-five percent (35%);
(11) Restructuring Terms of the Paris Club Debt. - To lengthen the payment period of the Paris Club debt from ten (10) years to twenty (20) years, considering that the foreign commercial banks have already agreed to restructure their loans to the Philippines to seventeen (17) years;
(12) Converting a Portion of the Paris Club Debt to Grants. - To convert a portion of the Paris Club debt to grants, considering as an example that a significant segment of the Philippine official debt to Japan was caused by Japanese yen revaluation;
(13) Conversion of Foreign Military Sales to Grants. - To convert Foreign Military Sales (FMS) credits to the Philippines under bilateral agreements, principally with the United States, into grants;
(14) Debt-for-Nature Swap Program. - To convert limited amounts of Philippine foreign debt into grants for nature, environment and wildlife conservation projects in the Philippines to be undertaken by international conservation groups;
(15) International Institute of Debt and Development. - To support the establishment of an International Institute of Debt and Development or any international finance organization that will acquire the debt instruments of the Philippines and other Third World countries at substantial discount, which benefits shall be shared by the debtor countries;
(16) Selective Debt Repudiation. - To consider the option of selective debt repudiation on foreign loans attended by fraud, bribery, and corruption between foreign lenders and Philippine borrowers;
(17) Moratorium. - To consider the option declaring a moratorium for a temporary and limited period of payment of principal and interest; Provided, That foreign exchange savings shall be utilized exclusively for productive, labor-intensive and dollar-earning export industries. Fifty percent (50%) of export earnings created by this forced savings shall be escrowed in interest-earning deposits to be earmarked for foreign debt service upon expiry of the moratorium thus increasing further the nation's debt service capability and helping project an image of a good debtor. Such options shall include selective moratorium on debts or obligations which are under litigation;
(18) Merchandise Export Receipts. - To negotiate that the debt service per annum shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of merchandise export receipts of the previous year;
(19) Repeal of Automatic Appropriations. - Repeal of automatic appropriations for foreign debt service except for new loans or other credit accommodations;
(20) Debt-for-Commodities Program. - For the Philippines to consider paying part of its foreign debt with Philippine products at levels from $250 million to $500 million, more or less, per year;
(21) Mixed Credits. - Negotiate for "mixed credits" that will include a long-term cash portion, long-term export credits, low interest and grants equivalent to five percent (5%), more or less, of project cost. Maturity should be between twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) years. New money facilities should only be used for purposes of economic growth and development, unless otherwise specified;
(22) Petroleum Credits. - Negotiate a program of petroleum credits with petroleum-exporting states with twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) years maturity, more or less, linked to the United States bases support for oil tanker traffic in the Persian Gulf. The proceeds of this petroleum credits shall be exclusively used for southern Philippines, including the establishment of an oil refinery there. In addition, the Philippines should also target $100 million per year of oil-exporting states' investment in the Philippines including their support for the proposed Philippine Islamic Bank.
Undertake bilateral agreements for skilled Philippine manpower programs with friendly oil-exporting states to generate labor-related foreign exchange earnings of US$ 1 billion to US$ 1.5 billion, more or less, per year;
(23) Investments Policy and the Philippine Assistance Program. - Without prejudicing Filipino entrepreneurs in certain industrial sectors, establish a liberal foreign investments program aimed at attracting to the Philippines the four (4) newly industrializing economies of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hongkong.
Further, support simultaneously multilateral programs of the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, European Economic Community (EEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries for Philippine economic reconstruction under the proposed Philippine Assistance Program (PAP) involving a mixture of equity investments, debt-to-equity conversions, long-term loans, aid, and grants;
(24) Countertrade. - Organize a countertrade program of up to US$1 billion a year, more or less, with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, People's Republic of China, the Socialist States of Eastern Europe, and any other country with centrally-planned economies to balance and diversify Philippine foreign trade and move non-traditional products with a view to ensuring incremental exports and reducing the Philippine need for trade credits;
(25) International Debt Conferences. - Actively join and participate in Latin America, African, Socialist and other international conferences dealing with foreign debt;
(26) Diplomatic and Information Campaign. - Launch a diplomatic and information campaign outlining the Government's economic program for the international and financial community to illustrate Philippine will to face up to its debt problems;
(27) Other Options. - The foregoing shall not preclude the formulation and consideration of other options and principles in dealing with the Philippine external debt, consistent with the national interest.
Section 5. Powers and Functions. - To carry out the aforementioned purposes and objectives, the Council is authorized:
(1) To submit to the President of the Philippines its recommendees for members of the Government panel in the negotiations and/or renegotiations of the Philippine external debt; Provided, That it shall recommend at least five (5) members with expertise in each of the following: (a) diplomacy, (b) economics, (c) investment banking, (d) law, and (e) accountancy;
(2) To secure from any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the Government such assistance as may be needed, such as technical information, the preparation and production of reports, and the submission of recommendations or plans, as it may require;
(3) Generally, to exercise all the powers necessary to attain the purposes and objectives for which it is organized.
Section 6. Composition, Appointment, and Designation. - The Council shall be composed of seventeen (17) members as follows:
(1) Nine (9) members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines. Any or all of these nine (9) members may or may not be officials of the Government and they may include professionals from the academe and the private sector;
(2) Four (4) Senators to be designated by the Senate President in consultation with the Majority Floor Leader and the Minority Floor Leader of the Senate; and
(3) Four (4) Congressmen to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with the Majority Floor Leader and the Minority Floor Leader of the House.
The President shall appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council from among its members.
Section 7. Geographical Representation, Quorum. - The geographic representation from Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon shall be observed in the composition of the Council. A majority of all the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
Section 8. Compensation. - Members of the Council who are government officials shall not receive additional compensation for the service rendered thereto. Members of the Council who are not government officials shall receive per diems of One thousand pesos (P1,000) for every Council meeting: Provided, That the per diems collected per month do not exceed the equivalent of four (4) meetings.
Section 9. Staff Support. - The Presidential Management Staff shall provide staff support to the Council. The Council may call on any department, bureau, office and instrumentality of the Government for appropriate assistance.
Section 10. Submission of Reports. - The Council shall submit to the President of the Philippines, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a quarterly report of its activities, assessments of, and recommendations on the country's debt situation within thirty (30) working days from the end of each quarter during the year.
Section 11. Funds. - Funds necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Act are hereby authorized to be taken from the Contingent Fund or any appropriate lump sum appropriations under the General Appropriations Act of 1989. Funding for the succeeding years is hereby authorized to be incorporated in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 12. Specific Policy. - Nothing herein shall preclude Congress from adopting a specific foreign debt policy.
Section 13. Separability Clause. - In the event that any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the other parts not so declared shall remain valid and effective.
Section 14. Repealing Clause. - Any provisions of law, decree, executive order, rule or regulation as are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions and/or purposes of this Act are accordingly repealed, amended or modified.
Section 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved: April 17, 1989
REPUBLIC ACT No. 11211 - An Act Amending Republic Act Number 7653, Otherwise Known as "The New Central Bank Act", and for Other Purposes
See - https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2019/ra_11211_2019.html
REPUBLIC ACT No. 11211
An Act Amending Republic Act Number 7653, Otherwise Known as "The New Central Bank Act", and for Other Purposes
Section 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7653, otherwise known as "The New Central Bank Act", is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 2. Creation of the Bangko Sentral.— There is hereby established an independent central monetary authority, which shall be a body corporate known as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, hereafter referred to as the Bangko Sentral.
"The capital of the Bangko Sentral shall be Two hundred billion pesos (₱200,000,000,000), to be fully subscribed by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, hereafter referred to as the Government: Provided, That the increase in capitalization shall be funded solely from the declared dividends of the Bangko Sentral in favor of the National Government. For this purpose, any and all declared dividends of the Bangko Sentral in favor of the National Government shall be deposited in a special account in the General Fund, and earmarked for the payment of Bangko Sentral’s increase in capitalization. Such payment shall be released and disbursed immediately and shall continue until the increase in capitalization has been fully paid."
Section 2. Section 3 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 3. Responsibility and Primary Objective. - The Bangko Sentral shall provide policy directions in the areas of money, banking, and credit. It shall have supervision over the operations of banks and exercise such regulatory and examination powers as provided in this Act and other pertinent laws over the quasi-banking operations of non-bank financial institutions. As may be determined by the Monetary Board, it shall likewise exercise regulatory and examination powers over money service businesses, credit granting businesses, and payment system operators. The Monetary Board is hereby empowered to authorize entities or persons to engage in money service businesses.
"The primary objective of the Bangko Sentral is to maintain price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy and employment. It shall also promote and maintain monetary stability and the convertibility of the peso.
"The Bangko Sentral shall promote financial stability and closely work with the National Government, including, but not limited to, the Department of Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, the Insurance Commission, and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"The Bangko Sentral shall oversee the payment and settlement systems in the Philippines, including critical financial market infrastructures, in order to promote sound and prudent practices consistent with the maintenance of financial stability.
"In the attainment of its objectives, the Bangko Sentral shall promote broad and convenient access to high quality financial services and consider the interest of the general public."
Section 3. Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 11. Meetings.— The Monetary Board shall meet at least once a week. The Board may be called to a meeting by the Governor of the Bangko Sentral or by two (2) other members of the Board.
"The presence of four (4) members shall constitute a quorum: Provided, That in all cases the Governor or his duly designated alternate shall be among the four (4) members.
"Unless otherwise provided in this Act, all decisions of the Monetary Board shall require the concurrence of at least four (4) members.
"The Bangko Sentral shall maintain and preserve a complete record of the proceedings and deliberations of the Monetary Board, including the tapes and transcripts of the stenographic notes, either in their original form or in microfilm.
"The meetings of the Monetary Board may be conducted through modern technologies such as, but not limited to, teleconferencing and videoconferencing."
Section 4. Section 15(e) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 16. Exercise of Authority.— In the exercise of its authority, the Monetary Board shall:
"x x x
"(e) indemnify its members and other officials of the Bangko Sentral, including personnel of the departments performing supervision and examination functions against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with any civil or criminal action, suit or proceedings to which he may be, or is, made a party by reason of the performance of his functions or duties, unless he is finally adjudged in such action or proceeding to be liable for willful violation of this Act, performed in evident bad faith or with gross negligence.
"In the event of a settlement or compromise, indemnification shall be provided only in connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to which the Bangko Sentral is advised by external counsel that the person to be indemnified did not commit willful violation of this Act, performed in evident bad faith or with gross negligence.
"The costs and expenses incurred in defending the aforementioned action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Bangko Sentral in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the member, officer, or employee to repay the amount advanced should it ultimately be determined by the Monetary Board that he is not entitled to be indemnified as provided in this subsection."
Section 5. Section 16 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 16. Responsibility.— The general rule and the exception therefrom on the liability of public officers as provided in Sections 38 and 39 of Chapter 9, Book 1 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 shall apply to the members of the Monetary Board and other personnel of the Bangko Sentral.
"Similar responsibility shall apply to members of the Monetary Board, and other personnel of the Bangko Sentral for: (1) the disclosure of any information of a confidential nature, or any information on the discussions or resolutions of the Monetary Board, or about the confidential operations of the Bangko Sentral, unless the disclosure is in connection with the performance of official functions with the Bangko Sentral, or is with prior authorization of the Monetary Board or the Governor; or (2) the use of such information for personal gain or to the detriment of the Government, the Bangko Sentral or third parties: Provided, however, That any data or information required to be submitted to the President and/or the Congress, or to be published under the provisions of this Act shall not be considered confidential.
"Unless the actions or omissions of the Bangko Sentral, members of the Monetary Board and its other personnel are finally adjudged to be in willful violation of this Act, performed in evident bad faith or with gross negligence, they are held free and harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law from any liability, and they shall be indemnified for any and all liabilities, losses, claims, demands, damages, deficiencies, costs and expenses of whatsoever kind and nature that may arise in connection with the exercise of their powers and performance of their duties and functions."
Section 6. Section 21 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 21. Deputy Governors. - The Governor of the Bangko Sentral, with the approval of the Monetary Board, shall appoint not more than five (5) Deputy Governors who shall perform duties as may be assigned to them,by the Governor and the Board.
"In the absence of the Governor, a Deputy Governor designated by the Governor shall act as chief executive of the Bangko Sentral and shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Governor. Whenever the Governor is unable to attend meetings of government boards or councils in which he is an ex officio member pursuant to provisions of special laws, a Deputy Governor as may be designated by the Governor shall be vested with authority to participate and exercise the right to vote in such meetings."
Section 7. Section 23 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 23. Authority to Obtain Data and Information. - The Bangko Sentral shall have the authority to require from any person or entity, including government offices and instrumentalities, or government-owned or -controlled corporations, any data, for statistical and policy development purposes in relation to the proper discharge of its functions and responsibilities: Provided, That disaggregated data gathered are subject to prevailing confidentiality laws. The Bangko Sentral through the Governor or in his absence, a duly authorized representative shall have the power to issue a subpoena for the production of the books and records for the aforesaid purpose. Those who refuse the subpoena without justifiable cause, or who refuse to supply the Bangko Sentral with data required, shall be subject to punishment for contempt in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of Court.
"The authority of the Bangko Sentral to require data from banks shall continue to be exercised pursuant to its supervisory powers set forth in this Act and other applicable laws.
"Data on individuals and firms, other than banks, gathered by the Bangko Sentral shall not be made available to any person or entity outside of the Bangko Sentral whether public or private except under order of the court or under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board: Provided, however, That the collective data on firms may be released to interested persons or entities: Provided, finally, That in the case of data on banks, the provisions of Section 27 of this Act shall apply."
Section 8. Section 25 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 23. Supervision and Examination. - The Bangko Sentral shall have supervision over, and conduct regular or special examinations of banking institutions and quasi-banks, including their subsidiaries and affiliates engaged in allied activities.
"For purposes of this section, a subsidiary means a corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of which is directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held with power to vote by a bank or quasi-bank and an affiliate means a corporation the voting stock of which, to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or less, is owned by a bank or quasi-bank or which is related or linked directly or indirectly to such institution or intermediary through common stockholders or such other factors as may be determined by the Monetary Board.
"The Bangko Sentral shall have regulatory authority over, and conduct regular or special examinations of, entities which under this Act or by special laws are subject to its jurisdiction.
"The Bangko Sentral shall establish a mechanism for issues arising from bank examinations. It shall be independent and reports directly to the Monetary Board, without prejudice to the authority of the Bangko Sentral and its Monetary Board to take enforcement and supervisory actions against supervised entities.
"The department heads and the examiners of the supervising and/or examining departments are hereby authorized to administer oaths to any director, officer, or employee of any institution under their respective supervision or subject to their examination, and to compel the presentation of all books, documents, papers or records necessary in their judgment to ascertain the facts relative to the true condition of any institution as well as the books and records of persons and entities relative to or in connection with the operations, activities or transactions of the institution under examination, subject to the provision of existing laws protecting or safeguarding the secrecy or confidentiality of bank deposits as well as investments of private persons, natural or juridical, in debt instruments issued by the Government.
"No restraining order or injunction shall be issued by the court enjoining the Bangko Sentral from examining any institution subject to supervision or examination by the Bangko Sentral, unless there is convincing proof that the action of the Bangko Sentral is plainly arbitrary and made in bad faith and the petitioner or plaintiff files with the clerk or judge of the court in which the action is pending a bond executed in favor of the Bangko Sentral, in an amount to be fixed by the court. The provisions of Rule 58 of the New Rules of Court insofar as they are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this section shall govern the issuance and dissolution of the restraining order or injunction contemplated in this section."
Section 9. A new section entitled Section 25-A is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 25-A. Authority to Approve Transfer of Shares.— Transfers or acquisitions, or a series thereof, of at least ten percent (10%) of the voting shares in banks or quasi-banks shall require the prior approval of the Bangko Sentral. The selling or conveying stockholder shall submit such transfer or acquisition for approval by the Bangko Sentral within such period as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board. In approving such transfers or acquisitions, regard shall be given by the Bangko Sentral to the fitness of the incoming stockholders as may be indicated in their integrity, reputation and financial capacity. Without Bangko Sentral approval, no such transfer or acquisition shah have legal effect nor shall the same be recognized in the books of the institution or by any government agency, and the transferor-stockholders shall remain accountable and responsible therefor. Transfer of actual control or management of the institution to the new stockholders or their representatives prior to Bangko Sentral approval shall make the transferor, the transferee and any person responsible therefor liable under Sections 36 and 37 of this Act. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Bangko Sentral may share with the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation any information that the Bangko Sentral may obtain pertaining to transfer or acquisition of shares or series of transfers or acquisition of shares in banks and quasi-banks."
Section 10. Section 27(d) of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 27. Prohibitions. - In addition to the prohibitions found in Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 6713, personnel of the Bangko Sentral are hereby prohibited from:
"x x x
"(d) borrowing from any institution subject to supervision or examination by the Bangko Sentral unless said borrowing is transacted on an arm’s length basis, fully disclosed to the Monetary Board, and shall be subject to such rules and regulations as the Monetary Board may prescribe."
Section 11. Section 28 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 28. Examination and Fees. - The supervising and examining department head, personally or by deputy, shall examine the operations of every bank and quasi-bank, including their subsidiaries and affiliates engaged in allied activities, and other entities which under this Act or special laws are subject to Bangko Sentral supervision, in accordance with the guidelines set by the Monetary Board taking into consideration sound and prudent practices: Provided, That there shall be an interval of at least twelve (12) months between regular examinations: Provided, further, That the Monetary Board, by an affirmative vote of at least five (5) members, may authorize a special examination if the circumstances warrant.
"The institution concerned shall afford to the head of the appropriate supervising and examining departments and to his authorized deputies full opportunity to examine its books and records, cash and assets and general condition and review its systems and procedures at any time during business hours when requested to do so by the Bangko Sentral: Provided, however, That none of the reports and other papers relative to such examinations shall be open to inspection by the public except insofar as such publicity is incidental to the proceedings hereinafter authorized or is necessary for the prosecution of violations in connection with the business of such institutions.
"Supervised institutions shall pay to the Bangko Sentral, no later than May 31 of each year, an annual supervision fee as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board. In determining the amount of the annual supervision fee, the Monetary Board shall consider the costs of supervision."
Section 12. A new section entitled Section 28-A is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 28-A. Bangko Sentral Coordination. - The suspension or revocation of any government license necessary for the operation of Bangko Sentral-supervised entity must be done only with prior consultation with the Bangko Sentral ."
Section 13. Section 30 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 30. Proceedings in Receivership and Liquidation. - Whenever, upon report of the head of the supervising or examining department, the Monetary Board finds that a bank or quasi-bank:
"(a) has notified the Bangko Sentral or publicly announced a unilateral closure, or has been dormant for at least sixty (60) days or in any manner has suspended the payment of its deposit/deposit substitute liabilities, or is unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the ordinary course of business: Provided, That this shall not include inability to pay caused by extraordinary demands induced by financial panic in the banking community;
"(b) has insufficient realizable assets, as determined by the Bangko Sentral, to meet its liabilities; or
"(c) cannot continue in business without involving probable losses to its depositors or creditors; or
"(d) has willfully violated a cease and desist order under Section 37 of this Act that has become final, involving acts or transactions which amount to fraud or a dissipation of the assets of the institution; in which cases, the Monetary Board may summarily and without need for prior hearing forbid the institution from doing business in the Philippines and designate the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) as receiver in the case of banks and direct the PDIC to proceed with the liquidation of the closed bank pursuant to this section and the relevant provisions of Republic Act No. 3591, as amended. The Monetary Board shall notify in writing, through the receiver, the board of directors of the closed bank of its decision.
"The actions of the Monetary Board taken under this section or under Section 29 of this Act shall be final and executory and may not be restrained or set aside by the court except on petition for certiorari on the ground that the action taken was in excess of jurisdiction or with such grave abuse of discretion as to amount to lack or excess of jurisdiction. The petition for certiorari may only be filed by the stockholders of record representing the majority of the capital stock within ten (10) days from receipt by the board of directors of the institution of the order directing receivership, liquidation or conservatorship. The designation of a conservator under Section 29 of this Act or the appointment of a receiver under this section shall be vested exclusively with the Monetary Board. Furthermore, the designation of a conservator is not a precondition to the designation of a receiver.
"The authority of the Monetary Board to summarily and without need for prior hearing forbid the bank or quasi-bank from doing business in the Philippines as provided above may also be exercised over non-stock savings and loan associations, based on the same applicable grounds. For quasi-banks and non-stock savings and loan associations, any person of recognized competence in banking, credit or finance may be designated by the Bangko Sentral as a receiver."
Section 14. Section 31 of Republic Act No. 7653 is hereby deleted.
Section 15. Section 32 of Republic Act No. 7653 is hereby deleted.
Section 16. Section 34 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 34. Refusal to Make Reports or Permit Examination. - Any officer, owner, agent, manager, director or officer-in-charge of any institution who, being required in writing by the Monetary Board or by the head of the supervising and examining department within the purview of this Act and relevant laws willfully refuses to file the required report or permit any lawful examination into the affairs of such institution shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) nor more than Two million pesos (₱2,000,000) or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
"This shall also apply to the officer, owner, agent, manager, director or officer-in-charge of the affiliate company/ies whose transactions are subject to examination under this Act."
Section 17. Section 35 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 35. False Statement. - The willful making of a false or misleading statement on a material fact to the Monetary Board or to the examiners of the Bangko Sentral shall be punished by a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) nor more than Two million pesos (₱2,000,000), or by imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court."
Section 18. Section 36 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 36. Proceedings Upon Violation of This Act and Other Banking Laws, Rules, Regulations, Orders or Instructions. - Whenever a bank, quasi-bank, including their subsidiaries and affiliates engaged in allied activities or other entity which under this Act or special laws is subject to Bangko Sentral supervision or whenever any person or entity willfully violates this Act or other pertinent banking laws being enforced or implemented by the Bangko Sentral or any order, instruction, rule or regulation issued by the Monetary Board, the person or persons responsible for such violation shall unless otherwise provided in this Act be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) nor more than Two million pesos (₱2,000,000) or by imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
"Whenever an entity under feangko Sentral supervision persists in carrying on its business in an unlawful or unsafe manner, the Board may, without prejudice to the penalties provided in the preceding paragraph of this section and the administrative sanctions provided in Section 37 of this Act, take action under Section 30 of this Act.
"The Bangko Sentral may grant informer’s reward to any person, except an officer or employee of the Bangko Sentral or of any intelligence or law enforcement agency, including the relatives of such officer or employee within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, who voluntarily give definite information not yet in the possession of the Bangko Sentral leading to the: (a) arrest of bank directors or officers and/or BSP personnel for violation of this Act or any banking and other laws implemented or enforced by the Bangko Sentral, or for violation of other penal laws committed in connection with their employment or functions; or (b) filing of criminal charges against any person for violation of Section 50 of this Act.
"The Monetary Board is hereby authorized to promulgate the implementing guidelines for the grant of informer’s reward, which in no case shall exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000). Said guidelines may provide for additional qualifications and disqualifications of informants as well as the form and minimum content of the information given.
"The cash reward of informers shall be subject to applicable withholding taxes."
Section 19. Section 37 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 37. Administrative Sanctions on Supervised Entities. - The imposition of administrative sanctions shall be fair, consistent and reasonable. Without prejudice to the criminal sanctions against the culpable persons provided in Sections 34, 35, and 36 of this Act, the Monetary Board may, at its discretion, impose upon any bank, quasi-bank, including their subsidiaries and affiliates engaged in allied activities, or other entity which under this Act or special laws are subject to the Bangko Sentral supervision, and/or their directors, officers or employees, for any willful violation of its charter or bylaws, willful delay in the submission of reports or publications thereof as required by law, rules and regulations; any refusal to permit examination into the affairs of the institution; any willful making of a false or misleading statement to the Board or the appropriate supervising and examining department or its examiners; any willful failure or refusal to comply with, or violation of, any banking law or any order, instruction or regulation issued by the Monetary Board, or any order, instruction or ruling by the Governor; or any commission of irregularities, and/or conducting business in an unsafe or unsound manner as may be determined by the Monetary Board, the following administrative sanctions, whenever applicable:
"(a) fines in amounts as may be determined by the Monetary Board to be appropriate, but in no case to exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000) for each transactional violation or One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) per calendar day for violations of a continuing nature, taking into consideration the attendant circumstances, such as the nature and gravity of the violation or irregularity and the size of the institution: Provided, That in case profit is gained or loss is avoided as a result of the violation, a fine no more than three (3) times the profit gained or loss avoided may also be imposed;
"(b) suspension of rediscounting privileges or access to Bangko Sentral credit facilities;
"(c) suspension of lending or foreign exchange operations or authority to accept new deposits or make new investments;
"(d) suspension of interbank clearing privileges; and/or
"(e) suspension or revocation of quasi-banking or other special licenses.
"Resignation or termination from office shall not exempt such director, officer or employee from administrative or criminal sanctions.
"The Monetary Board may, whenever warranted by circumstances, preventively suspend any director, officer or employee of the institution pending an investigation: Provided, That should the case be not finally decided by the Bangko Sentral within a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of suspension, said director, officer or employee shall be reinstated in his position: Provided, further, That when the delay in the disposition of the case is due to the fault, negligence or petition of the director or officer, the period of delay shall not be counted in computing the period of suspension herein provided.
"The above administrative sanctions need not be applied in the order of their severity.
"Whether or not there is an administrative proceeding, if the institution and/or the directors, officers or employees concerned continue with or otherwise persist in the commission of the indicated practice or violation, the Monetary Board may issue an order requiring the institution and/or the directors, officers or employees concerned to cease and desist from the indicated practice or violation, and may further order that immediate action be taken to correct the conditions resulting from such practice or violation. The cease and desist order shall be immediately effective upon service on the respondents.
"The respondents shall be afforded an opportunity to defend their action in a hearing before the Monetary Board or any committee chaired by any Monetary Board member created for the purpose, upon request made by the respondents within five (5) days from their receipt of the order. If no such hearing is requested within said period, the order shall be final. If a hearing is conducted, all issues shall be determined on the basis of records, after which the Monetary Board may either reconsider or make final its order.
"The Governor is hereby authorized, at his discretion, to impose upon banks and quasi-banks, including their subsidiaries and affiliates engaged in allied activities, and other entities which under this Act or special laws are subject to Bangko Sentral supervision for any failure to comply with the requirements of law, Monetary Board regulations and policies, and/or instructions issued by the Monetary Board or by the Governor, fines not in excess of One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) for each transactional violation or Thirty thousand pesos (₱30,000) per calendar day for violations of a continuing nature, the imposition of which shall be final and executory until reversed, modified or lifted by the Monetary Board on appeal."
Section 20. A new section entitled Section 38-A is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 38-A. Issuance of Injunctive Belief Against Bangko Sentral Actions. - No court, other than the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, shall issue any temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction or preliminary mandatory injunction against the Bangko Sentral for any action under this Act.
"Any restraining order or injunction issued in violation of this section is void and of no force and effect.
"The provisions of the Rules of Court on injunctions insofar as these are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall govern the issuance and dissolution of restraining orders or injunctions against the Bangko Sentral."
Section 21. Section 39 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 39. Reports and Publications. - The Bangko Sentral shall publish a general balance sheet showing the volume and composition of its assets and liabilities as of the last working day of the month within ninety (90) days after the end of each month, which may be reasonably extended by the Bangko Sentral as warranted.
"The Monetary Board shall publish and submit the following reports to the President and to the Congress:
"(a) not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each quarter, an analysis of economic and financial developments, including the condition of net international reserves and monetary aggregates;
"(b) within ninety (90) days after the end of the year, which may be reasonably extended by the Bangko Sentral as warranted, the preceding year’s budget and profit and loss statement of the Bangko Sentral showing in reasonable detail the result of its operations;
"(c) one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each semester, a review of the state of the financial system; and
"(d) as soon as practicable, abnormal movements in monetary aggregates and the general price level, and, not later than seventy-two (72) hours after they are taken, remedial measures in response to such abnormal movements."
Section 22. Section 40 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 40. Annual Report. - Before the end of June of each year, the Bangko Sentral shall publish and submit to the President and the Congress an annual report on the condition of the Bangko Sentral including a review of the policies and measures adopted by the Monetary Board during the past year and an analysis of the economic and financial circumstances which gave rise to said policies and measures.
"The annual report shall also include a statement of the financial condition of the Bangko Sentral and a statistical appendix which shall present, as a minimum, the following data:
"(a) the monthly movement of monetary aggregates and their components;
"(b) the monthly movement of purchases and sales of foreign exchange and of the international reserves of the Bangko Sentral ;
"(c) the balance of payments of the Philippines;
"(d) monthly indices of consumer prices and of import and export prices;
"(e) the monthly movement, in summary form, of exports and imports, by volume and value;
"(f) the monthly movement of the accounts of the Bangko Sentral and of other banks;
"(g) the principal data on government receipts and expenditures and on the status of the public debt, both domestic and foreign; and
"(h) the texts of the major legal and administrative measures adopted by the Government and the Monetary Board during the year which relate to the functions or operations of the Bangko Sentral or of the financial system.
"The Bangko Sentral shall publish another version of the annual report in terms understandable to the layman."
Section 23. Section 43 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows:
"Sec. 43. Computation of Profits and Losses. - Within the first sixty (60) days following the end of each year, the Bangko Sentral shall determine its net profits or losses. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the net profit of the Bangko Sentral shall be determined after allowing for expenses of operation, adequate allowances and provisions for bad and doubtful debts, depreciation in assets, and such allowances and provisions for contingencies or other purposes as the Monetary Board may determine in accordance with prudent financial management and effective central banking operations."
Section 24. A new section entitled Section 43-A is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 43-A. Bangko Sentral Reserve Fund. - The Bangko Sentral shall establish a reserve fund, whenever it has income or positive surplus, to mitigate future risks such as, but not limited to, the impacts of foreign exchange and price fluctuations, and to address other contingencies inherent in carrying out the Bangko Sentral-mandated functions as central monetary authority. The reserve fund shall consist of fluctuation reserve, contingency reserve and such other reserves as the Monetary Board deems prudent or necessary."
Section 25. Section 45 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 45. Revaluation Profits and Losses. - Unrealized profits or losses arising from any revaluation of the Bangko Sentral’s assets, liabilities or derivative instruments denominated in foreign currencies with respect to the movements of prices and exchange rates from third currencies to Philippine peso shall not be included in the computation of the annual profits and losses of the Bangko Sentral. Any profits or losses arising in this manner shall be offset by any amounts which, as a consequence of such revaluations, are owed by the Philippines to any international or regional intergovernmental financial institution of which the Philippines is a member or are owed by these institutions to the Philippines. Any remaining unrealized profit or loss shall be carried in an account which shall be named ‘Revaluation of International Reserve (RIRY, and the net balance of which shall appear either among the liabilities or among the assets of the Bangko Sentral, depending on whether the revaluations have produced net profits or net losses.
"The RIR account shall be credited or debited for the periodic revaluation as authorized in this section and to reflect the corresponding adjustment resulting to reduction in the Bangko Sentral’s net foreign assets, liabilities and foreign currency-denominated derivative instruments. The RIR shall be adjusted and recognized in the income statement upon sale of gold and foreign securities, or when the foreign currency is repatriated to local currency or is used to pay foreign obligations, or upon maturity of a foreign currency-denominated forward or option contract involving the Philippine peso."
Section 26. Section 61 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 61. Guiding Principle.- The Monetary Board shall regularly assess price developments and outlook and, based on its analysis and evaluation of inflationary pressures, use its policy instruments to attain and maintain price stability."
Section 27. Section 63 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 63. Action When Abnormal Movements Occur in the Price Level. - Whenever abnormal movements in the prices endanger the stability of the Philippine economy or important sectors thereof, the Monetary Board shall:
"(a) take such remedial measures as are appropriate and within the powers granted to the Monetary Board and the Bangko Sentral under the provisions of this Act; and
"(b) submit to the President of the Philippines and the Congress, and make public, a detailed report which shall include, as a minimum, a description and analysis of:
"(1) the causes of the rise or fall of prices;
"(2) the extent to which the changes in prices have been reflected in changes in the level of domestic output, employment, wages and economic activity in general, and the nature and significance of any such changes; and
"(3) the measures which the Monetary Board has taken and the other monetary, fiscal or administrative measures which it recommends to be adopted.1âwphi1
"Whenever the cost of living index increases by more than ten percent (10%), in relation to the level existing at the end of the corresponding month of the preceding year, or even though this quantitative guideline has not been reached when in its judgment the circumstances so warrant, the Monetary Board shall submit the reports mentioned in this section, and shall state therein whether, in the opinion of the Board, said changes in the cost of living represent a threat to the stability of the Philippine economy or of important sectors thereof.
"The Monetary Board shall continue to submit periodic reports to the President of the Philippines and to Congress until it considers that the price disturbances have disappeared or have been adequately controlled."
Section 28. Section 66 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 66. Composition of the International Reserves. - The international reserves of the Bangko Sentral may include, but shall not be limited to, the following assets:
"(a) gold; and
"(b) assets in foreign currencies in the form of: documents and instruments customarily employed for the international transfer of funds; demand and time deposits in central banks, treasuries and commercial banks abroad; foreign government securities; and foreign notes and coins.
"The Monetary Board shall endeavor to hold the foreign exchange resources of the Bangko Sentral in freely convertible currencies. The Monetary Board shall issue regulations determining the other qualifications which foreign exchange assets must meet in order to be included in the international reserves of the Bangko Sentral.
"The Bangko Sentral shall be free to convert any of the assets in its international reserves into other assets as described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section."
Section 29. Section 81 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 81. Guiding Principles. - The rediscounts, discounts, loans and advances which the Bangko Sentral is authorized to extend to banking institutions, under the provisions of the present article of this Act shall be used to influence the volume of credit consistent with the objective of price stability and maintenance of financial stability."
Section 30. Section 84 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 84. Emergency Loans and Advances. - In periods of national and/or local emergency or of imminent financial panic which directly threaten monetary and financial stability, the Monetary Board may, by a vote of at least five (5) of its members, authorize the Bangko Sentral to grant extraordinary loans or advances to banking institutions, secured by assets as defined hereunder: Provided, That while such loans or advances are outstanding, the debtor institution shall not, except upon prior authorization by the Monetary Board, expand the total volume of its loans or investments.
"The Monetary Board may, at its discretion, likewise authorize the Bangko Sentral to grant emergency loans or advances to banking institutions, even during normal periods, for the purpose of assisting a bank in a precarious financial condition or under serious financial pressures brought by unforeseen events, or events which, though foreseeable, could not be prevented by the bank concerned: Provided, however, That the Monetary Board has ascertained that the bank is not insolvent and has the assets defined hereunder to secure the advances: Provided, further, That a concurrent vote of at least five (5) members of the Monetary Board is obtained.
"The amount of any emergency loan or advance shall not exceed the sum of fifty percent (50%) of total deposits and deposit substitutes of the banking institution, and shall be disbursed in two (2) or more tranches. The amount of the first tranche shall be limited to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total deposit and deposit substitutes of the institution and shall be secured by (a) government securities; (b) acceptable guarantees backed up by the national government or its securities; (c) other unencumbered first class collaterals; and (d) other kinds of collaterals as may be authorized by the Monetary Board in accordance with sound risk management principles: Provided, That if as determined by the Monetary Board, the circumstances surrounding the emergency warrant a loan or advance greater than the amount provided hereinabove, the amount of the first tranche may exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the bank’s total deposit and deposit substitutes if the same is adequately secured by any of the collaterals set forth above as approved by the Monetary Board, and the principal stockholders of the institution furnish an acceptable undertaking to indemnify and hold harmless from suit a conservator whose appointment the Monetary Board may find necessary at any time."Prior to the release of the first tranche, the banking institution shall submit to the Bangko Sentral a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the Bangko Sentral to evaluate other assets of the banking institution certified by its external auditor to be good and available for collateral purposes should the release of the subsequent tranche be thereafter applied for.
"The Monetary Board may, by a vote of at least five (5) of its members, authorize the release of a subsequent tranche on condition that the principal stockholders of the institution:
"(a) furnish an acceptable undertaking to indemnify and hold harmless from suit a conservator whose appointment the Monetary Board may find necessary at any time; and
"(b) provide acceptable security which, in the judgment of the Monetary Board, would be adequate to supplement, where necessary, the assets tendered by the banking institution to collateralize the subsequent tranche.
"In connection with the exercise of these powers, the prohibitions in Section 128 of this Act shall not apply insofar as it refers to acceptance as collateral of shares and their acquisition as a result of foreclosure proceedings, including the exercise of voting rights pertaining to said shares: Provided, however, That should the Bangko Sentral acquire any of the shares it has accepted as collateral as a result of foreclosure proceedings, the Bangko Sentral shall dispose of said shares by public bidding within one (1) year from the date of consolidation of title by the Bangko Sentral.
"Whenever a financial institution incurs an overdraft in its account with the Bangko Sentral, the same shall be eliminated within the period prescribed in Section 102 of this Act."
Section 31. A new section entitled Section 88-A is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 88-A. Exemption of Collaterals from Attachments, Executions and Other Restrictions. - Collaterals on loans and advances granted by the Bangko Sentral, whether or not the interest of the Bangko Sentral is registered, shall not be subject to attachment, execution or any other court process or administrative restrictions on land use, nor shall they be included in the property of insolvent persons or institutions."
Section 32. A new section entitled Section 88-B is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 88-B. Deputization of Legal Staff in Case of Foreclosures. - In case of an extrajudicial foreclosure of mortgage in connection with loans and advances under this article, the Bangko Sentral may deputize any of its lawyers to conduct the public auction pursuant to Act No. 3135, as amended.
"Likewise, in case of a judicial foreclosure in connection with loans and advances under this article, the Bangko Sentral may, with the approval of the court, deputize any of its lawyers to act as special sheriff in the sale of a debtor’s properties and in the enforcement of court writs and processes related thereto. The special sheriff of the Bangko Sentral shall make a report to the proper court after any action has been taken by him, which court shall treat such action as if it were an act of its own sheriff in all respects.
"No restraining order or injunction shall be issued by the court enjoining the Bangko Sentral from proceeding with the foreclosure of the mortgage unless a bond is posted in favor of the Bangko Sentral in an amount equivalent to the total claim of the Bangko Sentral. The restraining order or injunction shall be refused or, if granted, shall be dissolved upon filing by the Bangko Sentral of a bond, which shall be in the form of a Bangko Sentral check, in an amount twice the amount of the original bond posted conditioned that the Bangko Sentral will pay the damages which the party may suffer by the refusal or dissolution of the injunction. The provisions of the Rules of Court on injunctions insofar as they are applicable and not inconsistent with the provisions of this section shall govern the issuance and dissolution of the restraining order or injunction contemplated in this section."
Section 33. A new section entitled Section 88-C is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 88-C. Right of Redemption of Foreclosed Real Property; Right of Possession During Redemption Period. - In the event of foreclosure, whether judicially or extrajudicially, the mortgagor, who is a natural person, shall have the right to redeem the property within one (1) year from the date of foreclosure sale. In case the mortgagor is a juridical person, the mortgagor shall have the right to redeem the property sold in a judicial foreclosure sale within one (1) year from the date of foreclosure sale: Provided, That in case of an extrajudicial foreclosure, notwithstanding Act No. 3135, the mortgagor shall have the right to redeem the property sold within ninety (90) days from the foreclosure sale but not later than the registration of the certificate of foreclosure sale. Redemption shall be effected by paying the principal, interests, charges, commissions and all claims of whatever nature of the Bangko Sentral outstanding and due as of the date of foreclosure sale, including all costs and other expenses incurred by reason of the foreclosure sale and custody of the property.
"The Bangko Sentral, as purchaser in the foreclosure sale and without need of posting a bond, may take possession of the foreclosed property during the redemption period. The Bangko Sentral shall be entitled to the fruits of the property, the same to be applied against the redemption price."
Section 34. A new section entitled Section 88-D is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 88-D. Unsecured Bangko Sentral Claims. - All unsecured claims of the Bangko Sentral shall be considered preferred credits similar to taxes due to the National Government in the order of preference under Article 2244 of the new Civil Code."
Section 35. A new section entitled Section 89-A is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 89-A. Financial Facilities for Islamic Banks. - The Bangko Sentral may, taking into consideration the peculiar characteristics of islamic banking, formulate rules and regulations for the extension of financial facilities to islamic banks: Provided, That such exposures shall be properly secured."
Section 36. A new section entitled Section 89-B is hereby included in the same Act to read as follows:
"Sec. 89-B. Loans to the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). - The Bangko Sentral, pursuant to its mandate of maintaining financial stability, may lend funds to the PDIC for insurance purposes and in cases of financial assistance that the latter is authorized to extend under Section 22(e) of Republic Act No. 3591, as amended. Notwithstanding Section 23 of Republic Act No. 3591, as amended, the Monetary Board shall prescribe interest rates and such other terms and conditions of the loan."
Section 37. Section 92 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 92. Issue and Negotiation of Bangko Sentral Obligations. - In order to provide the Bangko Sentral with effective instruments for open market operations, the Bangko Sentral may, subject to such rules and regulations as the Monetary Board may prescribe and in accordance with the principles stated in Section 90 of this Act, issue, place, buy and sell freely negotiable evidences of indebtedness of the Bangko Sentral. Said evidences of indebtedness may be issued directly against the international reserve of the Bangko Sentral or against the securities which it has acquired under the provisions of Section 91 of this Act, or may be issued without relation to specific types of assets of the Bangko Sentral.
"The Monetary Board shall determine the interest rates, maturities and other characteristics of said obligations of the Bangko Sentral, and may, if it deems it advisable, denominate the obligations in gold or foreign currencies.
"Subject to the principles stated in Section 90 of this Act, the evidences of indebtedness of the Bangko Sentral to which this section refers may be acquired by the Bangko Sentral before their maturity, either through purchases in the open market or through redemptions at par and by lot if the Bangko Sentral has reserved the right to make such redemptions. The evidences of indebtedness acquired or redeemed by the Bangko Sentral shall not be included among its assets, and shall be immediately retired and cancelled."
Section 38. Section 95 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 95. Definition of Deposit Substitutes. - The term ‘deposit substitutes’ is defined as an alternative form of obtaining funds from the public, other than deposits, through the issuance, endorsement, or acceptance of debt instruments for the borrower’s own account, for the purpose of relending or purchasing of receivables and other obligations. These instruments may include, but need not be limited to, bankers acceptances, promissory notes, participations, certificates of assignment and similar instruments with recourse, and repurchase agreements. The phrase obtaining funds from the public’ shall mean borrowing from twenty (20) or more lenders at any one time, and, for this purpose, Tenders’ shall refer to individuals and corporate entities that are not acting as financial intermediaries, subject to the safeguards and regulations issued by the Monetary Board. The Monetary Board shall determine what specific instruments shall be considered as deposit substitutes for the purposes of Section 94 of this Act: Provided, however, That deposit substitutes of commercial, industrial and other nonfinancial companies for the limited purpose of financing their own needs or the needs of their agents or dealers shall not be covered by the provisions of Section 94 of this Act."
Section 39. Section 101 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 101. Reserve Deficiencies. - Whenever the reserve position of any bank or quasi-bank, computed in the manner specified in the preceding section of this Act, is below the required minimum, the bank or quasi-bank shall pay the Bangko Sentral monetary penalty as may be prescribed by the Monetary Board: Provided, however, That banks and quasi-banks shall ordinarily be permitted to offset any reserve deficiency occurring on one or more days of the week with any excess reserves which they may hold on other days of the same week and shall be required to pay the penalty in accordance with the mechanism approved by the Monetary Board. In cases of abuse, the Monetary Board may deny any bank or quasi-bank the privilege of offsetting reserve deficiencies in the aforesaid manner.
"If a bank or quasi-bank chronically has a reserve deficiency, the Monetary Board may limit or prohibit the making of new loans or investments by the institution and may require that part or all of the net profits of the institution be assigned to surplus.
"The Monetary Board may modify or set aside the reserve deficiency penalties provided in this section, for part or the entire period of a strike or lockout affecting a bank or a quasi-bank as defined in the Labor Code, or of a national emergency affecting operations of banks or quasi-banks, or in such other instances where the grant of waiver of penalties is determined by the Monetary Board to be justifiable. The Monetary Board may also modify or set aside reserve deficiency penalties for rehabilitation program of a bank."
Section 40. Section 104 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 104. Guiding Principle. - The Monetary Board shall use the powers granted to it under this Act to ensure that the supply, availability and cost of money are in accord with the needs of the Philippine economy and that bank credit is not granted for speculative purposes prejudicial to the national interests. Regulations on bank operations shall be applied to all banks of the same category, as may be defined by the Monetary Board, uniformly and without discrimination."
Section 41. Section 108 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 108. Minimum Capital Ratios. - The Monetary Board may prescribe minimum risk-based capital adequacy ratios based on internationally accepted standards and may alter said ratios whenever it deems necessary. In the exercise of its authority under this section, the Monetary Board may require banks to hold capital beyond the minimum requirements commensurate to then risk profile."
Section 42. Section 113 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 113. Official Deposits. - The Bangko Sentral shall be the official depository of the Government, its political subdivisions and instrumentalities as well as of government-owned or -controlled corporations. As a general policy, their cash balances should be deposited with the Bangko Sentral, with only minimum working balances to be held by government-owned banks and such other banks licensed to operate in the Philippines as the Monetary Board may authorize.
"The Bangko Sentral may accept deposits and pay interest on such deposits and other similar placements of the Government or of its political subdivisions and instrumentalities, banks and other Bangko Sentral-supervised institutions."
Section 43. Section 123 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 123. Financial Advice on Official Credit Operations. - Before undertaking any credit operation abroad, the Government, through the Secretary of Finance, shall request the opinion, in writing, of the Monetary Board on the monetary implications of the contemplated action. Such opinions must similarly be requested by all political subdivisions and instrumentalities of the Government before any credit operation abroad is undertaken by them.
"The opinion of the Monetary Board shall be based on the gold and foreign exchange resources and obligations of the nation and on the effects of the proposed operation on the balance of payments and on monetary aggregates.1âwphi1
"Whenever the Government, or any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities, contemplates borrowing within the Philippines, the prior opinion of the Monetary Board shall likewise be requested in order that the Board may render an opinion on the probable effects of the proposed operation on monetary aggregates, the price level, and the balance of payments.
"A credit operation or borrowing as provided herein may take the form of different credit facilities such as, but not limited to, a single loan, series of loans under a borrowing program, or credit lines. No prior Monetary Board opinion shall be required for individual drawdowns or borrowings within approved credit lines or borrowing programs."
Section 44. Section 125 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 125. Tax Exemptions. - The Bangko Sentral shall be exempt from all national, provincial, municipal and city taxes on income derived from its governmental functions, specifically:
"(a) income from its activities or transactions in the exercise of its supervision over the operations of banks and its regulatory and examination powers over non-bank financial institutions performing quasi-banking functions, money service businesses, credit granting businesses and payment system operators; and
"(b) income in pursuit of its primary objective to maintain price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy, and the promotion and maintenance of monetary and financial stability and the convertibility of the peso.
"All other incomes not included in the above enumeration shall be considered as proprietary income and shall be subject to all taxes, charges, fees and assessments."
Section 45. Section 128 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 128. Prohibitions. - The Bangko Sentral shall not acquire shares of any kind or accept them as collateral, and shall not participate in the ownership or management of any enterprise, either directly or indirectly: Provided, That this prohibition shall not apply whenever the Monetary Board, by a vote of at least five (5) of its members, (1) deems an acquisition or investment to be necessary to qualify or as required for membership in international and regional organizations; or (2) determines that investing in and/or operating an enterprise will be consistent with the effective fulfillment of its mandate and will not constitute any conflict of interest.
"The Bangko Sentral shall not engage in development banking or financing: Provided, however, That outstanding loans obtained or extended for development financing shall not be affected by the prohibition of this section."
Section 46. Section 132 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 132. Transfer of Assets and Liabilities. - x x x.
"x x x.
"(b) the Bangko Sentral shall remit seventy-five percent (75%) of its net profits as computed in this Act to a special deposit account (sinking fund) or to the National Treasury as dividends, until such time as the net liabilities of the Central Bank shall have been liquidated through generally accepted finance mechanisms such as, but not limited to, write-offs, set-offs, condonation, collections, reappraisal, revaluation and bond issuance by the National Government. Thereafter, it shall remit fifty percent (50%) of its said net profits to the National Treasury;
Section 47. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Section 48. Separability Clause. - If any provision or section of this Act is held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or sections hereof, which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Section 49. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved: February 14, 2019
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