Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
SEC. 49. Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution.—There is hereby established the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution as an attached agency to the Department of Justice (DOJ) which shall have a Secretariat to be headed by an Executive Director. The Executive Director shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The objectives of the Office are:
(a) To promote, develop and expand the use of ADR in the private and public sectors; and To assist the government to monitor, study and evaluate the use by the public and the private sector of ADR, and recommend to Congress needful statutory changes to develop, strengthen and improve ADR practices in accordance with world standards.
Powers and Functions of the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
SEC. 50. Powers and Functions of the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution.—The Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution shall have the following powers and functions: To formulate standards for the training of the ADR practitioners and service providers;
To certify that such ADR practitioners and ADR service providers have undergone the professional training provided by the Office;
To coordinate the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government ADR programs;
To charge fees for their services; and
To perform such acts as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Act.
Appropriations.
SEC. 51. Appropriations.—The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
SEC. 52. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).—Within one (1) month after the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Justice shall convene a Committee that shall formulate the appropriate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act. The Committee, composed of representatives from: the Department of Justice;
the Department of Trade and Industry;
the Department of the Interior and Local Government;
the President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines;
A representative from the arbitration profession;
A representative from the mediation profession; and
A representative from the ADR organizations. shall, within three (3) months after convening, submit the IRR to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee for review and approval. The Oversight Committee shall be composed of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, and one (1) member each from the Majority and Minority of both Houses. The Joint Oversight Committee shall become functus officio upon approval of the IRR.
Applicability of the Katarungang Pambarangay.
SEC. 53. Applicability of the Katarungang Pambarangay.—This Act shall not be interpreted to repeal, amend or modify the jurisdiction of the Katarungang Pambarangay under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise know as the Local Government Code of 1991.
Repealing Clause.
SEC. 54. Repealing Clause.—All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause.
SEC. 55. Separability Clause.—If for any reason or reasons, any portion or provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, all other parts or provisions not affected shall thereby continue to remain in full force and effect.
Effectivity.
SEC. 56. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FRANKLIN M. DRILON
(Sgd.) JOSE DE VENECIA JR.
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House of Representatives
This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2671 and House Bill No. 5654 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2004.
(Sgd.) OSCAR G. YABES
(Sgd.) ROBERTO P. NAZARENO
Secretary of the Senate
Secretary General House of Representatives
Approved: APR 02 2004
(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL - ARROYO
President of the Philippines
Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines — Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
