Section 1. Title of the Act. – This Act shall be known as the "Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to promote peace and order, ensure public safety and further strengthen local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of the basic services to the citizenry through the establishment of a highly efficient and competent police force that is national in scope and civilian in character. Towards this end, the State shall bolster a system of coordination and cooperation among the citizenry, local executives and the integrated law enforcement and public safety agencies created under this Act.
The police force shall be organized, trained and equipped primarily for the performance of police functions. Its national scope and civilian character shall be paramount. No element of the police force shall be military nor shall any position thereof be occupied by active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Section 3. Promulgation of Comprehensive Policies by Congress. – Subject to the limitations provided in the Constitution, the President shall recommend to Congress the promulgation of policies on public order and safety to protect the citizenry from all forms of lawlessness, criminality and other threats to peace and order.
CHAPTER I The Department of the Interior and Local Government
Section 4. The Department of the Interior and Local Government. – To carry out the policies and purposes of this Act, the Department of Local Government is hereby reorganized into the Department of the Interior and Local Government, hereinafter referred to as the Department, in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Section 5. Powers and Functions of the Department. – In furtherance of the objectives of this Act, the Department shall continue to exercise the powers and functions of the Department of Local Government in addition to the powers and functions as herein provided.
Section 6. Organization. – The Department shall consist of the Department Proper, the existing bureaus and offices of the Department of Local Government, the National Police Commission, the Philippine Public Safety College, and the following bureaus: the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Section 7. Department Proper. – The Department Proper shall consist of the existing staff services as provided for under Executive Order No. 262 and the following offices: (a) Office of the Secretary. – The office of the Secretary shall consist of the Secretary and his immediate staff; and (b) Office of the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by two (2) Undersecretaries, one (1) for local government and the other for peace and order, at least one (1) of whom must belong to the career executive service, and three (3) career Assistant Secretaries.
Section 8. Head of Department. – The head of the Department, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, shall also be the ex-officio Chairman of the National Police Commission and shall be appointed by the President subject to confirmation of the Commission on Appointments. No retired or resigned military officer or police official may be appointed as Secretary within one (1) year from the date of his retirement or resignation.
Section 9. General Powers, Term of Office and Compensation of the Secretary. – The authority and responsibility for the exercise of the Department's powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the President and shall receive the compensation, allowances and other emoluments to which heads of departments are entitled.
Section 10. Specific Powers and Functions of the Secretary. – In addition to his powers and functions as provided in Executive Order No. 262, the Secretary as Department head shall have the following powers and functions: (a) Prepare and submit periodic reports, including a Quarterly Anti-Crime Operations Report and such other reports as the President and Congress may require; (b) Act as Chairman and Presiding Officer of the National Police Commission; and (c) Delegate authority to exercise any substantive or administrative function to the members of the National Police Commission or other officers of rank within the Department.