Republic Act Number 11131: The Criminology Profession Act of 2018

A Term Paper

Submitted to:

Dr. Kirsty Mae I. Magno

Bago City College, School of Graduate Studies

Bago City

In partial fulfilment of the Requirements in

MSC 100: Foundation of Criminology with Psychology of Crimes

Submitted by:

Fred Cedric D. Porquez

Sherwin G. Olarte

Rodel R. Dizon

April 25, 2022

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Table of Contents

Topic Page

Table of Contents 1

Abstract 2

Introduction 2

History 3

Importance of R.A. 11131 3

Contributions to Criminology Profession 16

Conclusion 16

References 17
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Abstract

R.A. 11131 was created to regulate the practice of criminology profession repealing the

purpose of R.A. 6506. This law governs the licensure examination, supervision and regulation of

the practice of criminology, as well as the standardization of criminology education. This law

also monitors the professional competence of criminologists through attainment of advanced

knowledge, skills and ethical values in a post-licensure specialization, self-directed research

and/or lifelong learning. R.A. 11131 integrates all criminology professional groups and

membership of all registered criminologists to the to the accredited professional organization as

endorsed by the Professional Regulatory Board of/for Criminology and by the approval of the

Professional Regulation Commission.

Introduction

The Criminology profession has been highly recognized by the state as vital part in the

maintenance of the peace and order, national security, maintaining the public safety and the

development of the whole nation. Thus, Republic Act 1131 otherwise known as “The Philippine

Criminology Profession Act of 2018” was created to regulate the practice of criminology

profession in the Philippines due to the advancement and global trends in the practice of

Criminology profession. This act effectively repeals Republic Act 6506 that created the board of

examiners for criminologist of the Philippines. (Section 2, R.A. 1131)

R.A. 1131 oversees the examination, registration and licensure for criminologist. This

Act also regulates the supervision, control and regulation of the criminology. Likewise, it also

the supervises the standardization and regulation of criminology education. Furthermore, this Act

oversees the development of the professional competence of criminologists through the

Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Lastly, R.A. 1131 governs the integration of all
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criminology professional groups and membership of all registered criminologists to the

accredited professional organization. (Section 3, R.A. 1131).

History

Republic Act 1131 was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 452 on

March 12, 2018, and was adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House

Bill No. 7191 authored by representative Gary Alejano and Representative Maximo Rodriguez

Jr. on September 11, 2018. This act was approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on November

8, 2018.(officialgazette.gov.ph)

Importance of R.A. 11131

Scope of the Criminology Practice

This Act increases the scope of the criminology practice as stated in section 5, a licensed

and a registered criminologist can practice its profession as law enforcement administrator,

executive, adviser, consultant, investigator, an agent or can be employed in any private or public

agencies performing law enforcement and quasi-police functions at the following: (section 5,

RA11131, paragraph a.)

1. Philippine National Police (PNP)

2. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

3. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)

4. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

5. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Provincial Jail, Bureau of Corrections

(BUCOR)

6. Probation and Parole Administration (PPA)

7. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

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8. Bureau of Customs (BoC)

9. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

10. Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC)

11. Sea and Air Marshalls

12. VIP Security

13. Airport and Seaport Police

14. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA)

15. Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)

Additionally, a licensed and a registered criminologist can practice its profession as a

professor, instructor or teacher in any university or school recognized by the government of any

of the following professional and component subjects of the criminology program (section 5,

paragraph b):

1. Criminal Jurisprudence and Procedure

2. Criminalistics

3. Law Enforcement Administration

4. Crime Detection and Investigation

5. Correctional Administration

6. Criminal Sociology and Ethics and other technical and specialized subjects in the

criminology curriculum provided by the Commission on Higher Education.

Furthermore, a licensed and a registered criminologist can practice its profession as a

technician, examiner/criminalist or specialist in dactyloscopy, questioned document,

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lie detection, firearms identification, forensic photography,

forensic chemistry and other scientific crime detection and investigation (section 5, paragraph c).
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Also, a licensed and a registered criminologist can practice its profession as a correctional

administrator, executive, supervisor or officer in any rehabilitation, correctional and penal

institution or facility and in any community-based corrections and rehabilitation agencies and/or

programs (section 5, paragraph d).

Moreover, a licensed and a registered criminologist can practice its profession as a

counsellor, consultant, adviser or researcher in any government or private agency on any aspect

of criminological research or project involving the causes of crime, children in conflict with the

law, treatment of offenders, police operations, law enforcement administration, scientific

criminal investigation of public safety and national security administration (section 5, paragraph

e).

Lastly, a licensed and a registered criminologist can practice its profession as a private

investigator, administrator, consultant or agent, or detective in any private security and

investigation agency organized under the laws of the Philippines (section 5, paragraph f).

The Board may revise, exclude from or add to the above enumerated acts or activities as

the needs arises to conform with the latest trends in the practice of criminology in the country.

Qualification of An Applicant for the Licensure Examination

R.A. 11131 revised the qualification of an applicant for the licensure examination for

criminologist as stated in section 14, an applicant must be a citizen of the Philippines or a foreign

citizen whose country or state has reciprocity with the Philippines in the practice of criminology

(section 14, paragraph a).

Furthermore, an applicant must have a good moral character certified by the school where

he/she graduated and the barangay where he/she lives, except for the foreign national a

certification from a professional standing will be accepted (section 14, paragraph b).
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Additionally, an applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in criminology duly accredited

by the Commissions on Higher Education and conferred by a school duly authorized by the

government of its equivalent degree obtained by either Filipino of foreign citizen from an

institution of learning in a foreign country or state; provided that it is duly recognized and/or

accredited by the CHED (section 14, paragraph c).

Moreover, the applicant must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral

turpitude by a court of competent jurisdiction (section 14, paragraph d).

Lastly, applicants who failed (5) times whether consecutive of cumulative in the

criminologists licensure examination must undergo a refresher course from an institution

recognized by the CHED (section 14, paragraph e).

Scope for Criminology Licensure Examination

Republic Act 11131 updates the scope of the licensure examination as stated in section

15, the licensure examination effective December 2022 shall include but shall not be limited to

the following (Barican 2021):

1. Criminal Law and Jurisprudence (20%) 100 items

a) Introduction to Philippine Criminal Justice System – 5 items

b) Criminal Law, RPC Book 1 – 20 items

c) Criminal Law, RPC Book 2 – 35 items

d) Criminal Evidence – 17 items

e) Court Procedure and Testimony – 18 items

f) Human Rights Education – 5 items

2. Law Enforcement Administration (15%) – 100 items

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a) Law Enforcement Organization and Administration (with inter-agency approach)-

20 items

b) Comparative Models of Policing – 20 items

c) Introduction To Industrial Security Concepts – 20 items

d) Law Enforcement Operations and Planning with Crime Mapping – 20 items

e) CFLM 2: leadership, decision Making, Management and Administration – 20

items

3. Criminal Detection and Investigation (20 %) 100 items

a. Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence – 10 items

b. Traffic Management and Accident Investigation with Driving – 15 items

c. Specialized Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine – 10 items

d. Specialized Crime Investigation 2 with Simulation on Interrogation and Interview

– 10 items

e. Technical English 1 (legal forms) - 5 items

f. Technical English 2 (investigative report writing) – 10 items

g. Fire Protection and Arson Investigation – 15 items

h. Vice and Drug Education and Control – 5 items

i. Introduction to Cybercrime and Environmental Laws and Protection – 10 items

4. Criminalistics (15%) 100 items

a. Forensic Photography -17 items

b. Forensic Ballistics – 19 items

c. Dactyloscopy/ Personal Identification Techniques – 18 items

d. Questioned Documents – 17 items

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e. Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology – 12 items

f. Polygraphy/ Lie Detection Techniques – 17 items

5. Criminal Sociology (20%) – 100 items

a. Introduction to Criminology – 10 items

b. Theories of Crime Causation – 15 items

c. Human Behaviour and Victimology – 15 items

d. Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards – 10 items

e. Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice – 15 items

f. Dispute Resolution and Crises/incident Management – 10 items

g. CFLM 1: Character Formation, Nationalism and Patriotism – 5 items

h. Criminological Research 1 and 2 – 20 items

6. Correctional Administration (10%) 100 items

a. Institutional Corrections – 40 items

b. Non-institutional Corrections – 40 items

c. Therapeutic Modalities – 30 items

Persons to Teach Subjects for Licensure Examination

R.A. 11131 reiterates the persons allowed to teach subjects for licensure examination as

stated in section 16, that all subjects for the licensure examinations in all Higher Educational

Institutions shall be taught by a registered criminologist who is a holder of a valid COR and

updated PIC for criminologists, AIPO membership and CPD required units earned and meet

other CHED requirements (section 16, RA 11131).

Professionals from allied fields of criminology may be allowed to teach subjects for

licensure examination as me be deemed proper by the Board. In such case, the concerned
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professional and the HEI shall secure from the Board the authority to teach (section 16, RA

11131).

Rating in the Examination

R.A. Act 11131 revised the required weighted average of the candidate as stated in

section 17, that in order to pass the licensure examination for criminologist, a candidate must

obtain a weighted average rating of 75% with no grade less than 60% in any given subjects

(section 17, RA 11131).

In the event the examinee gets a weighted average rating of 75% but has a grade below

60% in any subjects, the result of the examinee shall be deferred and shall retake the particular

subject/s (section 17, RA 11131).

The deferred examinee shall only be given 2 years from the date of the examination and

shall be required to obtain a grade not lower than 80% on the subject, to be considered to have

passed the licensure examination (section 17, RA 11131).

If the examinee failed to retake after the lapse of 2 years or failed to get the passing mark

of 80%, the examinee shall retake all the board subjects (section 17, RA 11131).

Any examinee who failed (3) times or more board subjects shall be deemed to have failed the

board examination (section 17, RA 11131).

This will take effect beginning the second examination to be held in the year 2022 which

will coincide with the first graduates of CHED memorandum order no. 5, series of 2018 of the

revised criminology curriculum (Barican 2021)

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Submission of Report of Rating

As stated in section 18 of R.A. 11131, the Board of criminology shall submit to the PRC

the ratings obtained by the candidates not later than 10 days after the last day of the examination

unless the period is extended for a valid cause (section 18, RA 11131).

Oath

R.A. 11131 reiterates in section 19, that a successful examinee of the licensure

examination is required to take an oath of profession in person before the Board of any of its

members with the accredited integrated national organization of criminologists in a mass oath-

taking (section 19, RA 11131)

In the event the examinee failed to participate in the joint mass oath-taking, he/she shall

make a formal request for approval of the Board stating the reasonable cause. (Section 10

paragraph I of RA 11131).

Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card

Section 20 of R.A. 11131 stated that a certificate of registration bearing the signatures of

the chairperson and members of the Board, with the official seal of the commission and of the

Board shall be issued to those who wants to register, subject to payment of fees (section 20, RA

11131).

The certificate of registration shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn,

suspended or revoked in accordance with the R.A. No. 11131 (section 20, RA 11131).

Privileges of a Registered Criminologist

As stated in section 34 of R.A. 11131, all registered criminologists shall be exempted

from taking any other qualifying government or civil service examinations and shall be

considered as qualified to the following government positions (section 34, RA 11131):

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1. Dactylographer 9. Special Agent

2. Ballistician 10. Investigative Agent

3. Questioned Document Examiner 11. Intelligence Agent

4. Forensic Photographer 12. Law Enforcement Evaluation

5. Polygraph Examiner Officer

6. Probation Officer
13. National Police Commission
7. Parole Officer
(NAPOLCOM) Inspector
8. Special Investigator

14. Traffic Operation Officer 23. Firefighter

15. Associate Graft Investigation 24. Fire Marshall

Officer 25. Jail Officer up to the rank of Jail

16. Special Police Officer Superintendent or its equivalent

17. safekeeping Officer 26. Police officer up to the rank of

18. Sheriff police Superintendent or its

19. Security Officer equivalent in other law

20. Criminal Investigator enforcement, national security and

21. Warden public safety agencies and criminal

22. Reformation Officer justice administration

Preference of Appointment

Under section 35 of R.A. 11131, a registered criminologist shall enjoy the priority in

appointment and shall be exempted in taking any qualifying exams in the following(section 35

RA 11131):
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1. Philippine National Police 21. Air Transportation Office

2. National Bureau of Investigation 22. Civil Aviation Authority of the

3. Bureau of Jail Management and Philippines

Penology 23. Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas

4. Bureau of Corrections 24. Bureau of Internal Revenue

5. Bureau of Fire Protection 25. Commission on Higher Education

6. Land Transportation Office 26. City/Municipality Security Office

7. Department of Justice 27. Metro Manila Development

8. Commission of Human Rights Authority

9. Office of the Ombudsman 28. Supreme Court and Lower Courts

10. Philippine Ports Authority 29. Security Consultation

11. Commission on Elections 30. Social Security System

12. Bureau of Treasury 31. National Police Commission

13. Philippine Amusement and Gaming 32. Autonomous Region of Muslim

Corporation Mindanao

14. Department of Environment and 33. Optical Media Board

National Resources 34. Intellectual Property Rights Office

15. Department of Tourism 35. Philippine Drug Enforcement

16. Department of Trade and Industry Agency

17. Armed Forces of the Philippines 36. Public Attorney’s Office

18. Bureau of Immigration 37. Government-owned and controlled

19. Bureau of Customs corporations, agencies involved in

20. Department of Transportation national security and public safety

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and criminal justice administration with positions involving the practice

of criminology.

Lateral Entry as a Registered Criminologist

As stated in section 36 of R.A. 11131, if the applicant meets the general qualifications for

appointment as provided in the existing laws on appointment of police officers in the PNP,

BJMP, BFP, PDEA or NBI, a registered criminologist who are not employed in any government

office shall be qualified and given preference for appointment via lateral entry as Police, Fire and

Jail Inspectors or its equivalent in the PDEA, NBI and other law enforcement agencies (section

36, RA 11131).

Furthermore, if the applicant who are already in the aforementioned agencies as non-

commissioned officers and who are already registered and licensed criminologists shall be given

preference for lateral entry (section 36, RA 11131).

Penal Provisions for violating RA 11131

As stated in section 37 of R.A. 11131, a fine of not less than 100,000.00 pesos nor more than

500,000.00 pesos or imprisonment for not less than (2) years and (1) day or more than (6) years

or both, at the discretion of the court shall be imposed upon commission of the following acts

(section 37, RA 11131):

1. A practicing criminologists as stated in section 5 of RA 11131 without valid certificate of

registration and a valid professional identification card or a valid temporary permit;

2. Attempting to use the seal, COR, and PIC of registered criminologist or special permit

issued to a foreign criminologist.

3. Abetting or supporting the illegal practice of criminology by an unregistered or

unauthorized person;
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4. Securing through incorrect information or fake means certificate of registration and

professional identification card and or temporary permit.

5. Impersonating or copying a registered criminologist of a holder of a temporary permit;

and

6. Violating any provisions of RA 11131

In the event the violator is a juridical person, the Board of Directors and other responsible

officers of the corporation shall be held liable.

Juridical persons refers to a corporation, organization, association and cooperative whose

owner and technical staff are registered criminologist duly registered with the Securities and

Exchange Commission as professional partnership pursuant to the civil code and compose of

partners majority of whom are registered criminologist, as well as as engaged in the practice of

criminology and with officers and Board of Directors whom are all registered criminologist.

( Barican 2021, p21)

Creation of Professional Regulatory Board

R.A.11131 creates the Professional Regulatory Board for Criminologists, a collegial body

under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission

(PRC) (Section 6).

The board shall be composed of a chairperson and four members who will be appointed

by the President recommended by the accredited professional organization (APO) (Section 6).

The Board is tasked to administer and monitor the licensure examination, registration,

membership in the accredited professional organization and the practice of criminology

profession (RA 11131, section 10, paragraph a).

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The board is also tasked to promulgate and issue rules and regulations, as well as to adopt

a Code of Ethics and Code of Good Governance for the practice of criminology(RA 11131,

section 10, paragraph c).

Likewise, the Board is tasked to set and promulgate guidelines on the conduct of CPD

programs, as well as to adopt or amend the syllabi and the table of specifications of the subjects

for the licensure examinations. (Section 10, paragraph f-g)

R.A. 11131 also mandates the Board to issue, suspend, revoke or reinstate the certificate

of registration of the registered criminologist or cancel the special permit granted to foreign

criminologist, as well as to administer oaths to the successful examines (RA 11131, section 10,

paragraph h).

Moreover, the Board is tasked to monitor the practice of criminology, enhancement of the

profession, as well as to conduct ocular inspection of establishments where criminology is

practice (RA 11131, section 10, paragraph j).

The Board is also authorized to monitor all colleges and universities offering criminology

program and may recommend sanctions for the noncompliance with the policies and standards of

the criminology education (RA 11131, section 10, paragraph k).

The Law also instructs the Board to receive complaints, and hear and investigate cases of

violations of this Act, as well as to recommend to the Commission the endorsement of cases

involving the criminal violations of this Act (RA 11131, section 10, paragraph l).

The Board is also authorized to disqualify applicants for the licensure examination who

have been previously convicted of a crime against moral turpitude (RA 11131, section 10,

paragraph o).
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Contributions to Criminology Profession

The Law regulates the licensure examination for criminologist by revising the

qualification of an examinee and by updating the scope for criminology licensure exam.

Furthermore, it raised the required weighted average rating of an examinee to pass the exam.

Likewise, the new law requires all successful examinee to take their oath before the practice of

profession.

The passing of the new law regulates the practice of criminology profession by

broadening the scope of criminology practice, as well as it governs the standardization and

regulation of the criminology education by updating the qualification of persons allowed to teach

subjects included in the licensure examination and by updating the list of outcome-based

competencies which the licensure examination measures and evaluates.

R.A. 11131oversee the advancement of the professional capability of the criminologist

through the continuing professional development.

Lastly, R.A. 11131 regulates the incorporation of all criminology professional association

and involvement of all registered criminologist to the accredited professional organization.

Conclusion

R.A. 11131 was created to regulate the practice of Criminology Profession in the

Philippines repealing the purpose of R.A. 6506. The Law also creates the Professional

Regulatory Board of the Philippines under the administrative supervision of Commission of

Higher Education as well as supervise, monitor the examination, registration, certification and

licensure.

Under RA 11131, a foreign citizen can be qualified to take licensure examination under

foreign reciprocity with the Philipines, as well as a candidate must obtain a weighted average
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rating of 75 percent with no grade less than 60 percent in any subject to pass the licensure

examination for criminologists, as well as exempting all registered criminologist from taking

other entrance exam or qualifying government or civil service examinations.

The Law also provides priority of appointment and shall not be required to take entrance

examinations in the tri-bureau and other law enforcement agencies as well as qualifying for

lateral entry of all registered criminologist.

References

Barican, L.J. B. (2021) Course Handouts: Introduction to Criminology

Gita, R. (2018, November 15), New Law Regulates Profession

Sunstar. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1774134

Official Gazette of the Philippines. Republic Act No.11131

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2018/11/08/republic-act-no-11131/