WHAT IS PLEB?

The People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), established by virtue of Republic Act
Nos. 6975 and 8551, is the central receiving entity for any citizen's complaint against the
officers and members of the Philippine National Police.

Among its powers include:

 Conduct hearings, resolve and decide on cases filed against erring officers of the
Philippine National Police;
 Establish linkages with other government agencies and initiate contacts will Non-
Governmental Organizations in the community for a wider network of alliance in
the flight to restore order and discipline among the members of the PNP and
maintain goodwill towards the church and church oriented groups for moral
advantage of the PLEB.
 Campaign for public awareness and citizen’s participation to the PLEB through
information dissemination by incorporating in the Barangay seminars/dialogue
subject matters pertaining to PLEB.
 Conduct seminars for the PLEB assist in improving the professionalism, restore
discipline and credibility among the members of the police force.
 Attend and host in the conduct of conference-dialogue with other PLEB.
 Coordinate with the Chief of Police and National Police Commission to make the
PLEB feel its relevance in maintaining peace and order.
 Draft possible amendments to existing laws governing the PLEB taking the PLEB
experience into account.

What does Republic Act No. 6975 says about PLEB?

Republic Act No. 6975

Section 43. People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB). – (a) Creation and
Functions. – Within thirty (30) days from the issuance of the implementing rules and
regulations by the Commission, there shall be created by the sangguniang
panlungsod/bayan in every city and municipality such number of People's Law
Enforcement Boards (PLEBs) as may be necessary: Provided, That there shall be at least
one (1) PLEB for every municipality and for each of the legislative districts in a city. The
PLEB shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide citizen's complaints or cases filed before
it against erring officers and members of the PNP. There shall be at least one (1) PLEB
for every five hundred (500) city or municipal police personnel.
(b) Composition and Term of Office. – The PLEB shall be composed of the
following:

(1) Any member of the sangguniang panlungsod/bayan chosen by his

respective sanggunian;

(2) Any barangay captain of the city or municipality concerned chosen by

the association of barangay captains; and

(3) Three (3) other members who shall be chosen by the peace and order
council from among the respected members of the community known for
their probity and integrity, one (1) of whom must be a member of the Bar
or, in the absence thereof, a college graduate, or the principal of the central
elementary school in the locality.

The Chairman of the PLEB shall be elected from among its members. The term of
office of the members of the PLEB shall be for a period of two (2) years from
assumption of office. Such member shall hold office until his successor shall have
been chosen and qualified.

(c) Compensation – Membership in the PLEB is a civic duty. However, PLEB

members may be paid per diem as may be determined by the city or municipal
council from city or municipal funds.

(d) Procedure – (1) The PLEB, by a majority vote of all its members and its
Chairman shall determine whether or not the respondent officer or member of the
PNP is guilty of the charge upon which the complaint is based.

(2) Each case shall be decided within sixty (60) days from the time the
case has been filed with the PLEB.

(3) The procedures in the PLEB shall be summary in nature, conducted in

accordance with due process, but without strict regard to technical rules of
evidence.

(4) The Commission shall issue the necessary implementing guidelines

and procedures to be adopted by the PLEB, including graduated penalties
which may be imposed by the PLEB.

(5) The Commission may assign the present NAPOLCOM hearing

officers to act as legal consultants of the PLEBs and provide, whenever
necessary, legal services, assistance and advise to the PLEBs in hearing
and deciding cases against officers and members of the PNP, especially
those involving difficult questions of law: Provided, That these lawyers
may also be assigned to investigate claims for death and disability benefits
of PNP members or their heirs.
 (e) Decisions – The decision of the PLEB shall become final and executory:
Provided, That a decision involving demotion or dismissal from the service may
be appealed by either party with the regional appellate board within ten (10) days
from receipt of the copy of the decision.

What are the Amendments of PLEB in R.A. No. 8551?

Republic Act No. 8551

TITLE IX
STRENGTHENING THE PEOPLE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT BOARD

Section 66. Paragraph (a), Section 43 of Republic Act No. 6975 is hereby amended to
read as follows:

"SEC. 43. People's Law Enforcement Board (PLEB). – (a) Creation and Functions
– The sangguniang panlungsod/bayan in every city and municipality shall create
such number of People's Law Enforcement Boards (PLEBs) as may be necessary:
Provided, That there shall be at least one (1) PLEB for every five hundred (500)
city or municipal police personnel and for each of the legislative districts in a city.

"The PLEB shall be the central receiving entity for any citizen's complaint against
the officers and members of the PNP. Subject to the provisions of Section 41 of
Republic Act No. 6975, the PLEB shall take cognizance of or refer the complaint
to the proper disciplinary or adjudicatory authority within three (3) days upon the
filing of the complaint."

Section 67. Number (3) of Paragraph (b), Section 43 of Republic Act No. 6975 is hereby
amended to read as follows:

"(3) Three (3) other members who are removable only for cause to be chosen by
the local peace and order council from among the respected members of the
community known for their probity and integrity, one (1) of whom must be a
woman and another a member of the Bar, or, in the absence thereof, a college
graduate, or the principal of the central elementary school in the locality."

Section 68. The last paragraph of Section 43 (b)(3) of Republic Act No. 6975 shall be
amended to read as follows:

"The Chairman of the PLEB shall be elected from among its members. The term
of office of the members of the PLEB shall be for a period of three (3) years from
 assumption of office. Such member shall hold office until his successor shall have
been chosen and qualified."

Section 69. Compensation and Benefits. – Paragraph c, Section 43 of Republic Act No.
6975 shall be amended to read as follows:

"(c) Compensation. – Membership in the PLEB is a civic duty. However, PLEB

members shall be paid per diem and shall be provided with life insurance
coverage as may be determined by the city or municipal council from city or
municipal funds. The DILG shall provide for the per diem and insurance coverage
of PLEB members in certain low income municipalities."

Section 70. Budget Allocation. – The annual budget of the Local Government Units
(LGU) shall include an item and the corresponding appropriation for the maintenance and
operation of their local PLEBs.

The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress and the President within fifteen (15) days
from the effectivity of this Act on the number of PLEBs already organized as well as the
LGUs still without PLEBs. Municipalities or cities without a PLEB or with an
insufficient number of organized PLEBs shall have thirty (30) more days to organize
their respective PLEBs. After such period, the DILG and the Department of Budget and
Management shall withhold the release of the LGU's share in the national taxes in cities
and municipalities still without PLEB(s).

Section 71. Request for Preventive Suspension. – The PLEB may ask any authorized
superior to impose preventive suspension against a subordinate police officer who is the
subject of a complaint lasting up to a period as may be allowed under the law. A request
for preventive suspension shall not be denied by the superior officer in the following
cases:

a) when the respondent refuses to heed the PLEB's summons or subpoena;

b) when the PNP personnel has been charged with offenses involving bodily harm
or grave threats,

c) when the respondent is in a position to tamper with the evidence;

andlawphil.net

d) when the respondent is in a position to unduly influence the witnesses.

Any superior who fails to act on any request for suspension without valid grounds shall
be held administratively liable for serious neglect of duty
Take note:

Amendments are governing.

Resources:

* http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1990/ra_6975_1990.html

* http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1998/ra_8551_1998.html

*http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=People%27s_Law_Enforcement_Board