MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 70, February 19, 1999 ]
AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 43 PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A PREPARATORY COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
WHEREAS, simplicity, economy and efficiency should be promoted in the Preparatory Commission on Constitutional Reforms created pursuant to Executive Order No. 43 promulgated on 26 November 1998; and
WHEREAS, amendments to Executive Order No. 43 are necessary to enable the Preparatory Commission to perform its functions effectively, expeditiously and at the least cost.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Section 2 of Executive Order No. 43 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Composition. The Preparatory Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and not more than 25 members who shall be appointed by the President. The members shall be individuals of national standing with knowledge and understanding of the State and the principles which underlie its existence, organization, and activities as well as of government and governance.
Section 2. Section 4 is hereby amended to read, as follows:
Chairman. The President shall appoint the Chairman of the Commission. The Chairman shall: 1) Preside over the meetings, sessions and other proceedings of the Commission; 2) Manage and direct all functions and activities of the Commission; 3) Determine the organizational structure of the Commission and create such positions as may be necessary for the economical, effective and efficient discharge of their functions and responsibilities; 4) Appoint all officers and employees, except the Executive Director of the Commission and exercise disciplinary authority over them; and 5) Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the realization and implementation of the objectives of the Commission.
The salary and emoluments of the Executive Director and personnel of the Secretariat shall be fixed by the Chairman, subject to existing applicable standards and guidelines.
Section 3. Section 5 is hereby amended to read, as follows:
Internal Rules of Procedure and Consultations. The Commission shall formulate and adopt its rules and procedure. It shall also conduct, whenever feasible, consultations with all affected or interested sectors of Filipino society regarding its proposals.
Section 4. Section 6 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Secretariat. There is hereby created a Secretariat which shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be appointed by the President. The Secretariat shall be responsible for providing all legal services, technical assistance and administrative and financial support services required by the Commission.
Section 5. Section 7 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Appropriations. The initial amount of Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the operational expenses of the Commission to be sourced from the funds of the Office of the President, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations. Additional amounts shall be released to the Commission upon submission of requirements for expenditures.
Section 6. Section 8 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Time Frame. The Commission shall commence its work on 01 January 1999 and complete the same on or before 31 December 1999. The Commission shall submit its report and recommendations to the President within fifteen (15) working days from 31 December 1999.
Section 7. Repealing Clause. All provisions of Executive Order No. 43, series of 1999, inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 8.Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 19th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine.
(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary
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