The House of Representatives has passed on second reading a proposed law seeking to reorganize and modernize the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). 

Davao City Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles, the vice president for internal affairs of the National Unity Party (NUP), is among the principal authors of the various proposals to modernize the NBI, which was consolidated under House Bill 5855.

The other authors of the bill are Northern Samar Representative Emil Ong, another NUP member, and Representatives Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe of AKO-Bicol, who are partylist allies of the NUP.

HB 5855  calls for a modernization program in the Bureau through the acquisition of state-of-the-art investigative and intelligence equipment, the application of modern systems and procedures,  the establishment of forensic and scientific laboratories, and training of NBI personnel.

The measure also reorganizes the NBI into the Office of the Director, Office of the Deputy Director for Administration, Office of the Deputy Director for Operations, Investigation Service, Intelligence Service, Finance Service, Administrative Service, Forensic and Scientific Research Service, Legal Service, and Information and Communications Technology Service.

In citing the importance of the NBI modernization bill,  Nograles and his fellow authors underscored “the urgent need for the state to arrest the wave of crimes that continue to escalate in magnitude and intensity" in the country.

Representatives Evelina Escudero, Dulce Ann Hofer,  Aristotle Aumentado,  Eufranio  Eriguel,  Victor Ortega, Samuel  Pagdilao, Jose  Tejada,  Alfredo Vargas III,  Gus  Tambunting, Joaquin Chipeco, Jr.,  Ansaruddin Adiong, Rufus Rodriguez, Rodolfo Fariñas, Maximo Rodriguez, Jr., Victoria Isabel Noel, George Arnaiz, Francis Abaya, Oscar Rodriguez, Jerry Treñas, Silvestre Bello III, and Erlpe John Amante are the other authors of HB 5855.

The bill  also allows the NBI to provide hazard pay to qualified employees of not more than P4,000 a month and authorizes the Bureau to use 30% of its collections from clearance fees for its modernization program.