PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO.

968

ESTABLISHING A PROBATION SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, one of the major goals of the government is to establish a more

enlightened and humane correctional systems that will promote the
reformation of offenders and thereby reduce the incidence of recidivism;

WHEREAS, the confinement of all offenders prisons and other institutions

with rehabilitation programs constitutes an onerous drain on the financial
resources of the country; and . chanrobles virtual law library

WHEREAS, there is a need to provide a less costly alternative to the

imprisonment of offenders who are likely to respond to individualized,
community-based treatment programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,

by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order
and decree the following:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

Section 1. Title and Scope of the Decree. This Decree shall be known as
the Probation Law of 1976. It shall apply to all offenders except those
entitled to the benefits under the provisions of Presidential Decree
numbered Six Hundred and three and similar laws.

Sec. 2. Purpose. This Decree shall be interpreted so as

to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) promote the correction and rehabilitation of an offender by providing

him with individualized treatment;

(b) provide an opportunity for the reformation of a penitent offender which

might be less probable if he were to serve a prison sentence; and .
chanrobles virtual law library

(c) prevent the commission of offenses. . chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 3. Meaning of Terms. As used in this Decree, the following shall,
unless the context otherwise requires, be construed
thus:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) "Probation" is a disposition under which a defendant, after conviction

and sentence, is released subject to conditions imposed by the court and to
the supervision of a probation officer. . chanrobles virtual law library

(b) "Probationer" means a person placed on probation.

(c) "Probation Officer" means one who investigates for the court a referral
for probation or supervises a probationer or both.

Sec. 4. Grant of Probation. Subject to the provisions of this Decree, the

court may, after it shall have convicted and sentenced a defendant and
upon application at any time of said defendant, suspend the execution of
said sentence and place the defendant on probation for such period and
upon such terms and conditions as it may deem best.

Probation may be granted whether the sentence imposes a term of

imprisonment or a fine only. An application for probation shall be filed with
the trial court, with notice to the appellate court if an appeal has been
taken from the sentence of conviction. The filing of the application shall be
deemed a waver of the right to appeal, or the automatic withdrawal of a
pending appeal.

An order granting or denying probation shall not be appealable.

Sec. 5. Post-sentence Investigation. No person shall be placed on

probation except upon prior investigation by the probation officer and a
determination by the court that the ends of justice and the best interest of
the public as well as that of the defendant will be served thereby. .
chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 6. Form of Investigation Report. The investigation report to be

submitted by the probation officer under Section 5 hereof shall be in the
form prescribed by the Probation Administrator and approved by the
Secretary of Justice.

Sec. 7. Period for Submission of Investigation Report. The probation

officer shall submit to the court the investigation report on a defendant not
later than sixty days from receipt of the order of said court to conduct the
investigation. The court shall resolve the petition for probation not later
than five days after receipt of said report.

Pending submission of the investigation report and the resolution of the

petition, the defendant may be allowed on temporary liberty under his bail
filed in the criminal case; Provided, That, in case where no bail was filed or
that the defendant is incapable of filing one, the court may allow the
release of the defendant on recognize to the custody of a responsible
member of the community who shall guarantee his appearance whenever
required by the court.

Sec. 8. Criteria for Placing an Offender on Probation. In determining

whether an offender may be placed on probation, the court shall consider
all information relative, to the character, antecedents, environment, mental
and physical condition of the offender, and available institutional and
community resources. Probation shall be denied if the court finds that:

(a) the offender is in need of correctional treatment that can be provided

most effectively by his commitment to an institution; or

(b) there is undue risk that during the period of probation the offender will
commit another crime; or .

(c) probation will depreciate the seriousness of the offense committed.

Sec. 9. Disqualified Offenders. The benefits of this Decree shall not be

extended to those:

(a) sentenced to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than six

years;
(b) convicted of any offense against the security of the State;

(c) who have previously been convicted by final judgment of an offense

punished by imprisonment of not less than one month and one day and/or
a fine of not less than Two Hundred Pesos;

(d) who have been once on probation under the provisions of this Decree;
and

(e) who are already serving sentence at the time the substantive provisions
of this Decree became applicable pursuant to Section 33 hereof.

Sec. 10. Conditions of Probation. Every probation order issued by the

court shall contain conditions requiring that the probationer
shall:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) present himself to the probation officer designated to undertake his

supervision at such place as may be specified in the order within seventy-
two hours from receipt of said order; . chanrobles virtual law library

(b) report to the probation officer at least once a month at such time and
place as specified by said officer.

The court may also require the probationer to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) cooperate with a program of supervision;

(b) meet his family responsibilities;

(c) devote himself to a specific employment and not to change said

employment without the prior written approval of the probation officer;

(d) undergo medical, psychological or psychiatric examination and

treatment and enter and remain in a specified institution, when required
for that purpose; . chanrobles virtual law library

(e) pursue a prescribed secular study or vocational training;

(f) attend or reside in a facility established for instruction, recreation or
residence of persons on probation;

(g) refrain from visiting houses of ill-repute;

(h) abstain from drinking intoxicating beverages to excess;

(i) permit the probation officer or an authorized social worker to visit his
home and place of work;

(j) reside at premises approved by it and not to change his residence

without its prior written approval; or

(k) satisfy any other condition related to the rehabilitation of the defendant
and not unduly restrictive of his liberty or incompatible with his freedom of
conscience.

Sec. 11. Effectivity of Probation Order. A probation order shall take

effect upon its issuance, at which time the court shall inform the offender
of the consequences thereof and explain that upon his failure to comply
with any of the conditions prescribed in the said order or his commission of
another offense, he shall serve the penalty imposed for the offense under
which he was placed on probation.

Sec. 12. Modification of Condition of Probation. During the period of

probation, the court may, upon application of either the probationer or the
probation officer, revise or modify the conditions or period of probation.
The court shall notify either the probationer or the probation officer of the
filing of such an application so as to give both parties an opportunity to be
heard thereon. . chanrobles virtual law library

The court shall inform in writing the probation officer and the probationer
of any change in the period or conditions of probation.

Sec. 13. Control and Supervision of Probationer. The probationer and

his probation program shall be under the control of the court who placed
him on probation subject to actual supervision and visitation by a probation
officer.

Whenever a probationer is permitted to reside in a place under the

jurisdiction of another court, control over him shall be transferred to the
Executive Judge of the Court of First Instance of that place, and in such a
case, a copy of the probation order, the investigation report and other
pertinent records shall be furnished said Executive Judge. Thereafter, the
Executive Judge to whom jurisdiction over the probationer is transferred
shall have the power with respect to him that was previously possessed by
the court which granted the probation.

Sec. 14. Period of Probation.

(a) The period of probation of a defendant sentenced to a term of

imprisonment of not more than one year shall not exceed two years, and in
all other cases, said period shall not exceed six years.

(b) When the sentence imposes a fine only and the offender is made to
serve subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency, the period of
probation shall not be less than nor to be more than twice the total number
of days of subsidiary imprisonment as computed at the rate established, in
Article thirty-nine of the Revised Penal Code, as amended. . chanrobles
virtual law library

Sec. 15. Arrest of Probationer; Subsequent Disposition. At any time

during probation, the court may issue a warrant for the arrest of a
probationer for violation of any of the conditions of probation. The
probationer, once arrested and detained, shall immediately be brought
before the court for a hearing, which may be informal and summary, of the
violation charged. The defendant may be admitted to bail pending such
hearing. In such a case, the provisions regarding release on bail of persons
charged with a crime shall be applicable to probationers arrested under this
provision. If the violation is established, the court may revoke or continue
his probation and modify the conditions thereof. If revoked, the court shall
order the probationer to serve the sentence originally imposed. An order
revoking the grant of probation or modifying the terms and conditions
thereof shall not be appealable.

Sec. 16. Termination of Probation. After the period of probation and

upon consideration of the report and recommendation of the probation
officer, the court may order the final discharge of the probationer upon
finding that he has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probation and
thereupon the case is deemed terminated.

The final discharge of the probationer shall operate to restore to him all
civil rights lost or suspend as a result of his conviction and to fully
discharge his liability for any fine imposed as to the offense for which
probation was granted.

The probationer and the probation officer shall each be furnished with a
copy of such order.

Sec. 17. Confidentiality of Records. The investigation report and the

supervision history of a probationer obtained under this Decree shall be
privileged and shall not be disclosed directly or indirectly to anyone other
than the Probation Administration or the court concerned, except that the
court, in its discretion, may permit the probationer of his attorney to
inspect the aforementioned documents or parts thereof whenever the best
interest of the probationer makes such disclosure desirable or helpful:
Provided, Further, That, any government office or agency engaged in the
correction or rehabilitation of offenders may, if necessary, obtain copies of
said documents for its official use from the proper court or the
Administration. . chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 18. The Probation Administration. There is hereby created under

the Department of Justice an agency to be known as the Probation
Administration herein referred to as the Administration, which shall exercise
general supervision over all probationers.
The Administration shall have such staff, operating units and personnel as
may be necessary for the proper execution of its functions.

Sec. 19. Probation Administration. The Administration shall be headed

by the Probation Administrator, hereinafter referred to as the Administrator,
who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. He shall hold
office during good behavior and shall not be removed except for cause.

The Administrator shall receive an annual salary of at least forty thousand

pesos. His powers and duties shall be to:chanroblesvirtuallawlibrary

(a) act as the executive officer of the Administration;

(b) exercise supervision and control over all probation officers; . chanrobles
virtual law library

(c) make annual reports to the Secretary of Justice, in such form as the
latter may prescribe, concerning the operation, administration and
improvement of the probation system; . chanrobles virtual law library

(d) promulgate, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Justice, the

necessary rules relative to the methods and procedures of the probation
process;

(e) recommend to the Secretary of Justice the appointment of the

subordinate personnel of his Administration and other offices established in
this Decree; and

(f) generally, perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be
necessary or incidental to achieve the objectives of this Decree.

Sec. 20. Assistant Probation Administrator. There shall be an Assistant

Probation Administrator who shall assist the Administrator perform such
duties as may be assigned to him by the latter and as may be provided by
law. In the absence of the Administrator, he shall act as head of the
Administration. . chanrobles virtual law library
He shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and shall receive
an annual salary of at least thirty-six thousand pesos.

Sec. 21. Qualifications of the Administrator and Assistant Probation

Administrator. To be eligible for Appointment as Administrator or
Assistant Probation Administrator, a person must be at least thirty-five
years of age, holder of a master's degree or its equivalent in either
criminology, social work, corrections, penology, psychology, sociology,
public administration, law, police science, police administration, or related
fields, and should have at least five years of supervisory experience, or be
a member of the Philippine Bar with at least seven years of supervisory
experience.

Sec. 22. Regional Office; Regional Probation Officer. The Administration

shall have regional offices organized in accordance with the field service
area patterns established under the Integrated Reorganization Plan.

Such regional offices shall be headed by a Regional Probation Officer who

shall be appointed by President of the Philippines in accordance with the
Integrated Reorganization Plan and upon the recommendation of the
Secretary of Justice.

The Regional Probation Officer shall exercise supervision and control over
all probation officer within his jurisdiction and such duties as may be
assigned to him by the Administrator. He shall have an annual salary of at
least twenty-four thousand pesos.

He shall, whenever necessary, be assisted by an Assistant Regional

Probation Officer who shall also be appointed by the President of the
Philippines, upon recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, with an
annual salary of at least twenty thousand pesos.
Sec. 23. Provincial and City Probation Officers. There shall be at least
one probation officer in each province and city who shall be appointed by
the Secretary of Justice upon recommendation of the Administrator and in
accordance with civil service law and rules.

The Provincial or City Probation Officer shall receive an annual salary of at

least eighteen thousand four hundred pesos.

His duties shall be to:

(a) investigate all persons referred to him for investigation by the proper
court or the Administrator;

(b) instruct all probationers under his supervision or that of the probation
aide on the terms and conditions of their probations;

(c) keep himself informed of the conduct and condition of probationers

under his charge and use all suitable methods to bring about an
improvement in their conduct and conditions;

(d) maintain a detailed record of his work and submit such written reports
as may be required by the Administration or the court having jurisdiction
over the probationer under his supervision;

(e) prepare a list of qualified residents of the province or city where he is

assigned who are willing to act as probation aides;

(f) supervise the training of probation aides and oversee the latter's
supervision of probationers;

(g) exercise supervision and control over all field assistants, probation aides
and other personnel; and

(h) perform such duties as may be assigned by the court or the

Administration.

Sec. 24. Miscellaneous Powers of Provincial and City Probation Officers.

Provincial or City Probation Officers shall have the authority within their
territorial jurisdiction to administer oaths and acknowledgments and to take
depositions in connection with their duties and functions under this Decree.
They shall also have, with respect to probationers under their care, the
powers of a police officer.

Sec. 25. Qualifications of Regional, Assistant Regional, Provincial, and City

Probation Officers. No person shall be appointed Regional or Assistant
Regional or Provincial or City Probation Officer unless he possesses at least
a bachelor's degree with a major in social work, sociology, psychology,
criminology, penology, corrections, police science, police administration, or
related fields and has at least three years of experience in work requiring
any of the abovementioned disciplines, or is a member of the Philippine Bar
with at least three years of supervisory experience.

Whenever practicable, the Provincial or City Probation Officer shall be

appointed from among qualified residents of the province or city where he
will be assigned to work. . chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 26. Organization. Within twelve months from the approval of this
Decree, the Secretary of Justice shall organize the administrative structure
of the Administration and the other agencies created herein. During said
period, he shall also determine the staffing patterns of the regional,
provincial and city probation offices with the end in view of achieving
maximum efficiency and economy in the operations of the probation
system. . chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 27. Field Assistants, Subordinate Personnel. Provincial or City

Probation Officers shall be assisted by such field assistants and subordinate
personnel as may be necessary to enable them to carry out their duties
effectively.

Sec. 28. Probation Aides. To assist the Provincial or City Probation

Officers in the supervision of probationers, the Probation Administrator may
appoint citizens of good repute and probity to act as probation aides.
Probation Aides shall not receive any regular compensation for services
except for reasonable travel allowance. They shall hold office for such
period as may be determined by the Probation Administrator. Their
qualifications and maximum case loads shall be provided in the rules
promulgated pursuant to this Decree. . chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 29. Violation of Confidential Nature of Probation Records. The

penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months and one day to six years
and a fine ranging from six hundred to six thousand pesos shall be
imposed upon any person who violates Section 17 hereof.

Sec. 30. Appropriations. There is hereby authorized the appropriation of

the sum of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos or so much as may be
necessary, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, to carry out the purposes of this Decree. Thereafter, the
amount of at least Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos or so much as
may be necessary shall be included in the annual appropriations of the
national government.

Sec. 31. Repealing Clause. All provisions of existing laws, orders and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Decree are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly. . chanrobles virtual law library

Sec. 32. Separability of Provisions. If any part, section or provision of

this Decree shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, no other parts,
sections or provisions hereof shall be affected thereby.

Sec. 33. Effectivity. This Decree shall take effect upon its approval:
Provided, However, That, the application of its substantive provisions
concerning the grant of probation shall only take effect twelve months after
the certification by the Secretary of Justice to the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court that the administrative structure of the Probation
Administration and of the other agencies has been organized.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of July in the year of Our Lord,
nineteen hundred and seventy-six.