WHEREAS , under the Administrative Code of 1987, the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB) is one of the bureaus under the Department of Finance;

WHEREAS , the designated functions of the EIIB are also being performed by other existing agencies of the Government;

WHEREAS , there is a need to constantly monitor the overlapping of functions among the agencies of Government to avoid duplicity of work and in order to streamline the functions of the bureaucracy;

WHEREAS , under Section 77 of the General Provisions of Republic Act No. 8745 or FY 1999 General Appropriations Act, the President may direct changes in the organization and key positions in any department, bureau or agency;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA , President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Deactivation of the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau. The Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB) under the Department of Finance is hereby deactivated.

SECTION 2. Transfer of Functions. The functions of EIIB shall be performed by the appropriate agencies of the Government such as the Bureau of Customs, the National Bureau of Investigation pursuant to their respective charters.

SECTION 3. Disposition of Personnel and Transfer of Funds and Resources. The Secretary of Finance is hereby directed to review the need for the personnel of the EIIB for eventual termination or integration to the department proper or other agencies of Government, and to submit the appropriate recommendations to the President within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Order.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions of this Order for as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All executive orders, rules, regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby revoked or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 7th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand.

(SGD.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary