MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 259, June 29, 2000 ]
ACTIVATING THE CENTRAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION OFFICE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND INTEGRATING THE APPROPRIATE POSITIONS OF THE ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE AND INVESTIGATION BUREAU IN SAID OFFICE AND THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB) has been mandated to wind up its operation under RA 6760 (FY 2000 General Appropriations Act) and deactivated pursuant to EO 191 (07 January 2000), EO 223 (29 March 2000) and EO 247 (20 May 2000);
WHEREAS, Section 78 of RA 6760 further authorizes the heads of departments in the Executive Branch to review and identify activities which are no longer essential in the delivery of public services and which may be phased-out or abolished, and adopt measures that will result in the streamlined organization and operations and improved overall performance and productivity of other respective agencies;
WHEREAS, EO 223 directs the transfer to/retention in the Department of Finance (DOF) of EIIB residual functions pertaining to providing the DOF Secretary intelligence reports and information of illegal activities especially those impairing the revenue-raising capability of DOF, and those pertaining to global trends and benchmarks which may adversely affect national financial interest;
WHEREAS, there is a need to maintain and coordinate certain economic intelligence operations in the DOF, its bureaus and attached agencies, as well as with other government intelligence agencies;
WHEREAS, there is a need for the establishment of systems and procedures, and review of work processes of DOF, its bureaus and attached agencies to ensure transparency and efficiency in public service delivery and program implementation, especially with respect to tax administration;
WHEREAS, Sections 8 and 10, Chapter 3, Title II, Book IV of EO 292 (Revised Administrative Code of 1987) creates a Central Management and Information Office (CMIO) under the Policy Development and Management Services Group of the DOF;
WHEREAS, in aid of carrying out the purposes of EO 223, it is necessary to activate the CMIO, and its intended functions under EO 292 be enhanced to absorb the residual functions of EIIB to fully support the information requirements of the Office of the Secretary of Finance;
WHEREAS, there is a continuing need for a reinforced internal inquiry in the Office of the Secretary of Finance to pursue anti-graft cases of DOF personnel, its bureaus and attached agencies;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:
Section 1. Activation of the CMIO. The Central Management Information Office in the Department of Finance created under EO 292 (Administrative Code of 1987) shall be activated as the sole repository of information in the DOF.
Section 2. Specific Functions of the CMIO. The CMIO shall specifically undertake the following functions:
a. Formulate policies, plans, and procedures for data collection, control and management;
b. Establish a management information system and subsystems for monitoring and evaluation of department-wide programs and projects, including those that are executed by operating bureaus and offices of the Department;
c. Receive, gather and evaluate intelligence reports/information and evidence on the nature, scope and extent of illegal activities affecting the revenue generating capability of the country;
d. Coordinate with external agencies in monitoring the financial and economic activities of persons or entities, whether domestic or foreign, which may adversely affect national and financial interests with the goal of regulating, controlling or preventing said activities;
e. Prepare economic intelligence reports on issues of vital importance to the national financial condition, economic interests and competitiveness;
f. Provide all intelligence units of operating bureaus and agencies under the Department with the general framework and guidelines in the conduct of economic intelligence and investigation; and
g. Review and recommend systems, processes and procedures to ensure efficient and transparent delivery of public service with respect to revenue generation, and compliance with laws, directives, especially in highly vulnerable areas.
Section 3. Integration of EIIB Positions. The activation of the CMIO shall be made through the integration of appropriate positions from the EIIB and DOF, as proposed by the DOF and reviewed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), considering the actual staffing requirements of the unit.
Moreover, the integration of appropriate EIIB positions in other organizational units of the DOF, primarily in the Bureau of Customs (BOC), shall be proposed by the DOF and reviewed by the DBM.
Section 4. Appointments. The right of security of tenure of incumbent personnel shall be given due regard in the appointment to the integrated positions, where applicable, and preference for EIIB employees, subject to the qualification standards and rules of the Civil Service Commission.
Section 5. Transfer of EIIB Assets and Liabilities to the DOF. The transfer without cost of EIIB assets and liabilities to the DOF shall be undertaken, as provided under EO 223. The DOF is hereby authorized to utilize, lease or allow the use, with or without cost, of such EIIB assets to its bureaus and attached agencies, as preferred beneficiaries; and to other government units, especially local government units in the third and fourth-class municipalities.
The DOF is further authorized to dispose of such EIIB assets which may be found uneconomic to maintain, or repair, in accordance with existing laws, auditing and accounting rules and regulations.
Section 6. Funding Requirements. The initial funding requirements for the integrated positions shall primarily be sourced from the savings of the DOF and the BOC, and augmented from appropriate sources as may be determined by the DBM. Thereupon, the budgetary requirements of the integrated positions shall be included in the annual budget of the DOF and the BOC under the General Appropriations Act.
Section 7. Administrative Oversight. The Secretary of Finance is hereby directed to ensure that the intent of this Executive Order is served on or before 30 June 2000, and to issue the necessary policy guidelines, implementing procedures and directives for the purpose.
The Secretary of Finance is further directed to ensure that all seized goods of the EIIB and pending cases are transferred to the appropriate agencies, including the BOC and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Section 8. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions of the Order as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect.
Section 9. Repealing Clause. All executive orders, rules, regulations and other issuance or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.
Section 10. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 29th day of JUNE in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand.
(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
By the President:
(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary
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