Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Sections one, two, three and four of Republic Act Numbered Four thousand four are hereby amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. In the performance of his duties as Chairman of the Board of Pardons and Parole, the Secretary of Justice shall be assisted by a staff which shall have one chief to be known as Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board, whose salary shall be fifteen thousand four hundred pesos per annum; one assistant executive officer whose salary shall be twelve thousand pesos per annum; one assistant executive officer whose salary shall be ten thousand eight hundred pesos per annum; one assistant secretary to the Board whose salary shall be ten thousand eight hundred pesos per annum; four supervising parole officers; eight senior parole officers; and eighteen parole officers; and three social work consultants whose annual salaries shall be as follows:

"(a) Four supervising parole officers each at ten thousand eighty pesos per annum;
"(b) Eight senior parole officers each at ten thousand eighty pesos per annum;
"(c) Six parole officers each at seven thousand two hundred pesos per annum;
"(d) Six parole officers each at seven thousand two hundred pesos per annum;
"(e) Six parole officers each at six thousand six hundred pesos per annum; and
"(f) Three social work consultants each at seven thousand two hundred pesos per annum;

"The Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board shall have the qualifications and rank prescribed for the first ranking Assistant Solicitor General.

"The Assistant Executive Officers and the Assistant Secretary to the Board shall not be Jess than thirty-five years of age, and must have been a member of the Philippine Bar for at least ten years or possess the qualifications prescribed for a Bureau Director.

"The Supervising parole officers and senior parole officers shall be members of the Bar for at least seven years, while parole officers shall be members of the Bar for at least five years."

"The Social Work Consultants shall not be less than thirty-five years of age and must be registered social workers, with at least five years experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders."

"SEC. 2. The Board of Pardons and Parole shall also have a staff of complementary personnel whose salaries shall be as follows:

"(a) One supervising administrative assistant at six thousand pesos per annum;
"(b) One chief records and property clerk at five thousand one hundred pesos per annum;
"(c) One supervising chief clerk at five thousand one hundred pesos per annum;
"(d) One supervising senior stenographic reporter at four thousand eight hundred pesos per annum;
"(e) Two senior stenographic reporters at four thousand five hundred pesos per annum each;
"(f) Two stenographic reporters at three thousand nine hundred sixty pesos per annum each;
"(g) Three senior clerks at four thousand five hundred pesos per annum each;
"(h) Two clerk-typist at three thousand pesos per annum each; "(i) Eight junior typist at three thousand pesos per annum each; "(j) Six clerks at three thousand pesos per annum each;
"(k) Two statistical aides at two thousand nine hundred forty pesos per annum each; and
"(l) Two janitor-messengers at two thousand seven hundred sixty pesos per annum each;

"SEC. 3. In the interest of greater efficiency in the discharge of its functions, upon the recommendation of the Executive Officer of the Board, the Secretary of Justice may, in his discretion, organize the Board of Pardons and Parole into such divisions and sections as he may deem fit, each division and section to be headed by any of the officers of the Board whom he may designate: Provided, however, That in exigency of the service, upon the proposal of the executive officer of the Board and the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice, additional and other positions may hereafter be created through the Appropriation Act."

"SEC. 4. The provisions of any law, rule or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding, the incumbent officials and employees of the Board of Pardons and Parole shall receive the salary rates provided in this Act, without necessity of new appointment: Provided, That no officer or employee holding office on the date of the passage of this Act shall, by reason thereof, be removed from office or be demoted to a lower category or scale of salary except for cause and upon compliance with the due process provided for by law: Provided, further, That all incumbent parole officers shall be eligible for appointment to any position herein created."

SEC 2. Such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provision of this Act are hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Henceforth, the appropriation to cover salaries and other expenses of the Board as herein provided shall be carried in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Enacted into law without Executive signature on August 4, 1969.