The Department of Justice (hereinafter referred to as the Department) is hereby directed to investigate the conduct of the August 1989 Medical Board Examinations, particularly on the alleged violation of the three-time flunker ™s rule under Section 21 of the Medical Act of 1959, as amended, with the end in view of filing administrative cases against Presidential and non-presidential appointees who, under the circumstances, appear to be liable for the violation of the aforesaid law.

For the purpose of the investigation, the Secretary of Justice or the investigator(s) duly designated by him from among his Undersecretaries, is hereby granted all the powers of an investigating body under Sections 71 and 580 of the Revised Administrative Code, including the power to summon witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony or evidence relevant to the investigation, and to obtain compulsory processes to produce documents, books, records and such other matters in the performance of its functions.

All the departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities including government owned or controlled corporations are hereby directed to extend such assistance and cooperation as the Department may need in the discharge of its functions. For this purpose, the Department is hereby authorized to detail any personnel from any government office to assist in the investigation.

The Secretary of Justice shall submit his findings and recommendations to the President of the Philippines within thirty (30) days from date hereof.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 29th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty nine.


By the President:
(Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG, JR.
Executive Secretary