REPUBLIC ACT 7653

THE NEW CENTRAL BANK ACT

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

CHAPTER I
ESTABLISHMENT AND
ORGANIZATION
OF THE BANGKO SENTRAL NG
PILIPINAS

ARTICLE I.
CREATION,RESPONSIBILITIES AND
CORPORATE POWERS OF THE
BANGKO SENTRAL

Section

1 Declaration policy The state shall maintain a

central monetary authority that shall function and
operate as an independent and accountable body
corporate in the discharge of its mandated
responsibilities concerning money, banking and credit.

It is mandated by the Constitution that the state shall

maintain a central monetary body that has sole power
and authority to issue currency.

Section 1 Declaration of Policy

It is mandated by the Constitution that the state shall maintain a central monetary body that
has sole power and authority to issue currency
The Central Monetary Authority of the Philippines is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
It was created under Republic Act. No. 7653 otherwise known as The New Central Bank Act.
This was formally known as Republic Act No. 265.
The Bangko Sentral is an independent and accountable body corporate.

Independent because it has a separate autonomy and free from political pressures; and
Accountable because it is responsible to Congress and to the President of the Philippines only.
It was organized and it operates like a private corporation. However, it is solely owned by the
government and falls under government-controlled financial institutions.
Its mandated responsibilities covers:
Money;
Banking; and
Credit
It enjoys fiscal autonomy or independence by creating its own fiscal policy.

Fiscal Policy means all government actions relative to taxation, expenditures and
management of public debt to stabilize the economy as well as those that affect monetary flow
and expenditures. It is an instrument used to check government expenditures.
It enjoys administrative autonomy, which means it can promulgate its own administrative
policies. It can reorganize or change the organizational structure to suit its operations.
Correlate to sec. 133 of RA 7653.

Section

2 Creation of the Bangko Sentral - There is

hereby established an independent central monetary
authority, which shall be a body corporate known as the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, hereafter referred to as the
Bangko Sentral.

The capital of the Bangko Sentral shall be Fifty

billion pesos (P50,000,000,000), to be fully
subscribed by the Government of the Republic,
hereafter referred to as the Government, Ten billion
pesos (P10,000,000,000) of which shall be fully paid
for by the Government upon the effectivity of this Act
and the balance to be paid for within a period of two
(2) years from the effectivity of this Act in such
manner and form as the Government, through the
Secretary of Finance and the Secretary of Budget and
Management, may thereafter determine.

Section 2 Creation of the Bangko Sentral

1. As
a body corporate, it means a law passed by the
Congress creating Republic Act. No. 7653 otherwise known
as The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
2. It has a juridical personality and governed by its own
charter.
3. Though organized and operates like a private corporation,
profit motive is only secondary.
4. It is 100% owned by the government, the sole
owner/stockholder thereof.
5. The capital of the Bangko Sentral is Fifty Billion Pesos
(Php. 50,000,000,000)

*Juridical Personality is the characteristics of a nonhuman entity regarded by law to have the status of a
person.

Additional Capital to BSP:

6. 2011 = Php. 10 Billion

7. 2012 = Php. 20 Billion
8. 2013 = Php. 10 Billion

*The 1993 New Central Bank Act mandates a Php 50-

Section

3. Responsibility and Primary Objective. - The

Bangko Sentral shall provide policy directions in the areas of
money, banking, and credit. It shall have supervision over the
operations of banks and exercise such regulatory powers as
provided in this Act and other pertinent laws over the
operations of finance companies and non-bank financial
institutions performing quasi-banking functions, hereafter
referred to as quasi-banks, and institutions performing similar
functions.

The primary objective of the Bangko Sentral is to

maintain price stability conducive to a balanced and
sustainable growth of the economy. It shall also
promote and maintain monetary stability and the
convertibility of the peso.

Section 3 Responsibility and Primary Objective

A. What are the Bangko Sentrals responsibilities?

1. Provides policy direction in the areas of money, banking and credit.

2. Management of money supply
3. Supervises the operations of banking institutions
4. Exercises regulatory powers over finance companies and non-bank
financial institutions.

Example of non-bank financial intermediaries:

a. Investment Houses
b. Financing Companies
c. Securities Dealers
d. Investment Companies
e. Government Non-bank Financial Institutions:
1. GSIS
2. SSS
3. Pag-ibig
a. Pawnshop
b. Fund Managers
c. Private Insurance Companies

*Quasi-banking functions are not pure banking functions. To put it

simply, while it performs other banking functions it does not accept
deposit coming from the public.

Primary Objectives of the BSP:

1. To maintain price stability conducive to a balance and

sustainable growth of the economy; and

a. Price stability refers to the purchasing power of the peso

unaffected by the result of inflation or deflation in the
economy of the country; and
b. Promote rising level of production, employment and real
income through lending operations.

1. To promote and maintain monetary stability and

convertibility of the peso.

a. Monetary stability refers to the purchasing power of the

peso and its convertibility to other currencies. It means that
the peso must withstand the threat of inflation or deflation.
It must gain public confidence.
b. Foreign exchange refers to the convertibility of the peso to
other foreign currencies.

BSP stands ready to support activities that serve to

strengthen the countrys commercial linkages with the
world economy by:

1. Helping create a stable environment;

2. Promoting liberal foreign exchange rules; and
3. Enhancing access to local and foreign capital to support
investment.

Characteristic of BSP:

4. Profit motive is only secondary

5. Operations are controlled by government laws; and
6. Does not deal directly with the public

Functions of BSP (BIR-CLIR-CEF)

1. It is the banker, agent, adviser of the government;

2. It is the bank of issue;
3. It is the custodian of bank reserves
4. It is a bank of central clearing and settlement; and
5. It is the bank of last resort;
6. It is the custodian of the nations reserves for international
currency;
7. It is a bank of rediscount;
8. It is a bank that controls credit;
9. It is a bank that determines exchange rate policy;
10.It is a bank that has financial supervision and regulatory
powers over banking and non-banking institution performing
quasi-banking functions.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Monetary Tools of BSP (SIR-MORO)

Swap facility;
Interest rate policy;
Reserve requirement;
Moral Suasion;
*Moral Suasion statements or Acts by a regulatory
authority to encourage rather than coerce. Compliance
with accepted standards.

5. Open Market Operations;

6. Rediscounting; and
7. Other selective regulation;

a. Margin requirement against letter of credit,

b. Security against bank loans
c. Portfolio ceilings, and
d. Minimum capital ratios

Section

4. Place of Business. - The Bangko Sentral shall

have its principal place of business in Metro Manila, but
may maintain branches, agencies and correspondents in
such other places as the proper conduct of its business
may require.

Section

5. Corporate Powers. - The Bangko Sentral is

hereby authorized to adopt, alter, and use a corporate
seal which shall be judicially noticed; to enter into
contracts; to lease or own real and personal property,
and to sell or otherwise dispose of the same; to sue and
be sued; and otherwise to do and perform any and all
things that may be necessary or proper to carry out the
purposes of this Act.

Section 5 Corporate Powers

As a body corporate, it is clothed with corporate powers like a private
corporation. By operation of law, it has obtained its legal or juridical personality.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Corporate Powers of BSP:

To adopt and use a corporate seal;
To enter into contracts;
To vase or own real and personal property, sell or dispose the same;
To sue and be sued;
Others which may be necessary or proper to carry out the purpose of RA 7653.
To enter into compromise, condone or release in whole or in part any claim of
or settle liability to the BSP regardless of the amount involved.
*Corporate Seal It is one that can be easily identified/distinguished or
recognized in the absence of the corporate name. In short this is what is
known as corporate logo.

ARTICLE II. THE MONETARY BOARD

Section 6. Composition of the Monetary Board. - The powers and

functions of the Bangko Sentral shall be exercised by the Bangko
Sentral Monetary Board, hereafter referred to as the Monetary Board,
composed of seven (7) members appointed by the President of the
Philippines for a term of six (6) years.

The seven (7) members are:

(a) the Governor of the Bangko Sentral, who shall be the Chairman of
the Monetary Board. The Governor of the Bangko Sentral shall be
head of a department and his appointment shall be subject to
confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. Whenever the
Governor is unable to attend a meeting of the Board, he shall
designate a Deputy Governor to act as his alternate: Provided, That in
such event, the Monetary Board shall designate one of its members as
acting Chairman;

(b)

a member of the Cabinet to be designated by the

President of the Philippines. Whenever the designated
Cabinet Member is unable to attend a meeting of the
Board, he shall designate an Undersecretary in his
Department to attend as his alternate; and

c)

five (5) members who shall come from the private

sector, all of whom shall serve full-time: Provided,
however, That of the members first appointed under
the provisions of this subsection, three (3) shall have
a term of six (6) years, and the other two (2), three (3)
years.

ARTICLE II THE MONETARY BOARD

Section 6 Composition of the Monetary Board

Like a private corporation whose policy making body is the Board of Directors, the poers and
functions of the BSP is exercised by the Monetary Board whose members are appointed by the
President of the Philippines.

From the composition of the Monetary Board, it will be noticed that the majority of the
members come from the private sector. The thrust is to give the private business who
spearhead the economic growth and development of the country, more representation in the
board.
Composition of the Members of the Monetary Board:
Governor (Governor of the BSP) acts as the Chairman whose appointment by the President
of the Philippines is subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (alternate is
the Deputy Governor) and with a term of six (6) years;
Cabinet Secretary (alternate is the Undersecretary) with a term of six (6) years.
5 Members from the Private Sector who shall serve full time. The first three (3) shall serve six
(6) years and the last two (2) shall serve three (3) years.

The Monetary Board is composed of seven(7) members.

The Chairman of the Monetary Board is the Governor
No Member of the MB shall be reappointed more than once
In the absence of the Governor, any member of the MB can be appointed as acting chairman.
By virtue of the office, the cabinet secretary ( an ex-officio member) is automatically becomes a
member of the Monetary Board

Section

7. Vacancies. - Any vacancy in the Monetary

Board created by the death, resignation, or removal of
any member shall be filled by the appointment of a new
member to complete the unexpired period of the term of
the member concerned.

How are vacancies in the Monetary Board created?

Vacancies are created by: (DRR)
1.

Death
2. Resignation
3.Removal

What will be the term of office of the newly

appointed member who was appointed to fill in
the vacancy?
He shall serve to complete the unexpired
period to finish the terms of the member
concerned.

Section

8. Qualifications. - The members of the

Monetary Board must be natural-born citizens of the
Philippines, at least thirty-five (35) years of age, with
the exception of the Governor who should at least be
forty (40) years of age, of good moral character, of
unquestionable integrity, of known probity and
patriotism, and with recognized competence in social
and economic disciplines.

What are the qualifications before one can be a

member of the Monetary Board?
A member must be (NAGUP-C):
A.

Natural born Filipino Citizen of the Philippines;

B. At least 35 years of age except for the governor
who shall be at 40 years old;
C. of good moral character;
D. of unquestionable integrity;
E. of known probity and patriotism;
F. with recognized competence in social and
economic disciplines

9.

Disqualifications. - In addition to the disqualifications

imposed by Republic Act No. 6713, a member of the Monetary
Board is disqualified from being a director, officer, employee,
consultant, lawyer, agent or stockholder of any bank, quasibank or any other institution which is subject to supervision or
examination by the Bangko Sentral, in which case such
member shall resign from, and divest himself of any and all
interests in such institution before assumption of office as
member of the Monetary Board.

What are the disqualifications of the members of the

Monetary Board?
Members of the Monetary Board are disqualified from
being a (DOSELAC)
1. Director
2. Officer
3. Stockholder
4. Employee
5. Lawyer
6. Agent
7. Consultant

of any bank, quasi-bank, or any other bank, which

is subject to supervision or examination by the BSP.

Sec. 9 Disqualifications:
A.
-.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

What are the disqualification of the members of the Monetary Board

Members of the Monetary Board are disqualified from being a: (DOSELAC)
Director
Officer
Stockholder
Employee
Lawyer
Agent
Consultant
Of any bank, quasi-bank, or any other bank, which is subject to supervision or examination by the BSP.

B. Members representing the private sector during their tenure must not hold public office or public employment.
They must render full-time service.
C. Disqualification imposed by R.A. No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct & Ethical Standard for Public Officials &
Employees.
D. Violation of R.A. 3019 Anti-Graft & corrupt Practices Act.
E. To be qualified as member of the Monetary Board, a member should before assumption of office. He must:
8.
9.

Resign or
Divest his interest

F. Those who are directly connected in any multi-lateral banking or financial institution or has a substantial interest
in any private bank in the Philippines cannot be appointed as member of the Monetary Board within one (1) year
prior to his appointment, or can be employed in a banking /financial institution within two (2) year after the
expiration of his term except when he serves as an official representative of the Philippine Government to such
institutions.

Section

10. Removal. - The President may remove any

member of the Monetary Board for any of the following
reasons:

(a) If the member is subsequently disqualified under the

provisions of Section 8 of this Act; or
(b) If he is physically or mentally incapacitated that he
cannot properly discharge his duties and responsibilities
and such incapacity has lasted for more than six (6)
months; or
(c) If the member is guilty of acts or operations which are of
fraudulent or illegal character or which are manifestly
opposed to the aims and interests of the Bangko Sentral;
or
(d) If the member no longer possesses the qualifications
specified in Section 8 of this Act.

Section 10. Removal

A. Grounds for the removal of a member of the Monetary Board
1. Subsequent disqualification under Sec. 8.
2. Physically and mentally incapacitated.
3. Guilty of acts or operations that are of fraudulent or illegal character or that are
manifestly opposed to the aims and interests of the Bangko Sentral.
4. No longer possesses the qualifications under Sec. 8.
*Dollar Salting violation of foreign exchange regulations.
The President of the Philippines has the power to remove any member of the board
for justifiable reasons. The power to appoint carries with it the power to remove

Section

11. Meetings. - The Monetary Board shall meet at least

once a week. The Board may be called to a meeting by the
Governor of the Bangko Sentral or by two (2) other members
of the Board.

The presence of four (4) members shall constitute a

quorum: Provided, That in all cases the Governor or his
duly designated alternate shall be among the four (4).

Unless otherwise provided in this Act, all decisions of the

Monetary Board shall require the concurrence of at least
four (4) members.

The Bangko Sentral shall maintain and preserve a

complete record of the proceedings and deliberations of the
Monetary Board, including the tapes and transcripts of the
stenographic notes, either in their original form or in
microfilm.

Section 11 Meeting
1. Who calls the meeting of the Monetary Board?
The meeting is called by:
- Governor or 2. Two (2) of its members
2. How many times does the Board meet and on what day?
-

At least once a week. Every Thursday; but on some occasions, it convenes to discuss urgent
issues.

3. What is quorum?
-

A quorum is the number of members present in a meeting to make the transaction valid.

4. How many members must be present to constitute a quorum?

- At least four (4) members is required to constitute a quorum.
5. What are the records to be maintained and preserved during the board meeting?
- At least four (4) members is required to constitute a quorum.
6. What are the records to be maintained and preserved during the board meeting?
a.) tapes
b.) transcript of stenographic notes either in their original or in
microfilm.

Section

12. Attendance of the Deputy Governors. - The

Deputy Governors may attend the meetings of the
Monetary Board with the right to be heard.

Section

13. Salary. - The salary of the Governor and the

members of the Monetary Board from the private sector
shall be fixed by the President of the Philippines at a
sum commensurate to the importance and responsibility
attached to the position.

Section

14. Withdrawal of Persons Having a Personal

Interest. - In addition to the requirements of Republic
Act No. 6713, any member of the Monetary Board with
personal or pecuniary interest in any matter in the
agenda of the Monetary Board shall disclose his interest
to the Board and shall retire from the meeting when the
matter is taken up. The decision taken on the matter
shall be made public. The minutes shall reflect the
disclosure made and the retirement of the member
concerned from the meeting.

Section

15. Exercise of Authority. - In the exercise of its

authority, the Monetary Board shall:

(a) issue rules and regulations it considers necessary for the effective
discharge of the responsibilities and exercise of the powers vested upon
the Monetary Board and the Bangko Sentral. The rules and regulations
issued shall be reported to the President and the Congress within fifteen
(15) days from the date of their issuance;

(b) direct the management, operations, and administration of the

Bangko Sentral, reorganize its personnel, and issue such rules
and regulations as it may deem necessary or convenient for this
purpose. The legal units of the Bangko Sentral shall be under the
exclusive supervision and control of the Monetary Board;

(c) establish a human resource management system which shall

govern the selection, hiring, appointment, transfer, promotion, or
dismissal of all personnel. Such system shall aim to establish
professionalism and excellence at all levels of the Bangko
Sentral in accordance with sound principles of management.

(d) adopt an annual budget for and authorize such expenditures by the
Bangko Sentral as are in the interest of the effective administration and
operations of the Bangko Sentral in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations; and

(e) indemnify its members and other officials of the Bangko Sentral,
including personnel of the departments performing supervision and
examination functions against all costs and expenses reasonably
incurred by such persons in connection with any civil or criminal action,
suit or proceedings to which he may be, or is, made a party by reason of
the performance of his functions or duties, unless he is finally adjudged
in such action or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct.

Section

16. Responsibility. - Members of the Monetary

Board, officials, examiners, and employees of the
Bangko Sentral who willfully violate this Act or who are
guilty of negligence, abuses or acts of malfeasance or
misfeasance or fail to exercise extraordinary diligence in
the performance of his duties shall be held liable for any
loss or injury suffered by the Bangko Sentral or other
banking institutions as a result of such violation,
negligence, abuse, malfeasance, misfeasance or failure
to exercise extraordinary diligence.

Similar responsibility shall apply to members,

officers, and employees of the Bangko Sentral for: (1)
the disclosure of any information of a confidential
nature, or any information on the discussions or
resolutions of the Monetary Board, or about the
confidential operations of the Bangko Sentral, unless
the disclosure is in connection with the performance
of official functions with the Bangko Sentral, or is
with prior authorization of the Monetary Board or the
Governor; or (2) the use of such information for
personal gain or to the detriment of the Government,
the Bangko Sentral or third parties: Provided,
however, That any data or information required to be
submitted to the President and/or the Congress, or to
be published under the provisions of this Act shall not
be considered confidential.

ARTICLE III. THE GOVERNOR AND

DEPUTY GOVERNORS OF THE
BANGKO SENTRAL

Section

17. Powers and Duties of the Governor. - The Governor

shall be the chief executive officer of the Bangko Sentral. His
powers and duties shall be to:

(a) prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Monetary Board and to
submit for the consideration of the Board the policies and measures
which he believes to be necessary to carry out the purposes and
provisions of this Act;
(b) execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the
Monetary Board;

(c) direct and supervise the operations and internal

administration of the Bangko Sentral. The Governor may
delegate certain of his administrative responsibilities to
other officers or may assign specific tasks or
responsibilities to any full-time member of the Monetary
Board without additional remuneration or allowance
whenever he may deem fit or subject to such rules and
regulations as the Monetary Board may prescribe;
d) appoint and fix the remunerations and other emoluments
of personnel below the rank of a department head in
accordance with the position and compensation plans
approved by the Monetary Board, as well as to impose
disciplinary measures upon personnel of the Bangko
Sentral, subject to the provisions of Section 15(c) of this
Act: Provided, That removal of personnel shall be with the
approval of the Monetary Board;

(e) render opinions, decisions, or rulings, which shall be final and

executory until reversed or modified by the Monetary Board, on
matters regarding application or enforcement of laws pertaining to
institutions supervised by the Bangko Sentral and laws pertaining to
quasi-banks, as well as regulations, policies or instructions issued by
the Monetary Board, and the implementation thereof; and
(f) exercise such other powers as may be vested in him by the
Monetary Board.

Section

18. Representation of the Monetary Board and

the Bangko Sentral. - The Governor of the Bangko
Sentral shall be the principal representative of the
Monetary Board and of the Bangko Sentral and, in such
capacity and in accordance with the instructions of the
Monetary Board.

Section

19. Authority of the Governor in Emergencies. - In

case of emergencies where time is sufficient to call a meeting
of the Monetary Board, the Governor of the Bangko Sentral,
with the concurrence of two (2) other members of the
Monetary Board, may decide any matter or take any action
within the authority of the Board.

The Governor shall submit a report to the President

and Congress within seventy-two (72) hours after the
action has been taken.

At the soonest possible time, the Governor shall call a

meeting of the Monetary Board to submit his action
for ratification.

Section

20. Outside Interests of the Governor and the

Full-time Members of the Board. - The Governor of the
Bangko Sentral and the full-time members of the Board
shall limit their professional activities to those
pertaining directly to their positions with the Bangko
Sentral. Accordingly, they may not accept any other
employment, whether public or private, remunerated or
ad honorem, with the exception of positions in
eleemosynary, civic, cultural or religious organizations
or whenever, by designation of the President, the
Governor or the full-time member is tasked to represent
the interest of the Government or other government
agencies in matters connected with or affecting the
economy or the financial system of the country

Section

21. Deputy Governors. - The Governor of the

Bangko Sentral, with the approval of the Monetary
Board, shall appoint not more than three (3) Deputy
Governors who shall perform duties as may be assigned
to them by the Governor and the Board.

In the absence of the Governor, a Deputy Governor

designated by the Governor shall act as chief
executive of the Bangko Sentral and shall exercise the
powers and perform the duties of the Governor.
Whenever the Government is unable to attend
meetings of government boards or councils in which
he is an ex officio member pursuant to provisions of
special laws, a Deputy Governor as may be
designated by the Governor shall be vested with
authority to participate and exercise the right to vote
in such meetings.

ARTICLE IV. OPERATIONS OF THE

BANGKO SENTRAL

Section

22. Research and Statistics. - The Bangko Sentral

shall prepare data and conduct economic research for the
guidance of the Monetary Board in the formulation and
implementation of its policies. Such data shall include, among
others, forecasts of the balance of payments of the Philippines,
statistics on the monthly movement of the monetary aggregates
and of prices and other statistical series and economic studies
useful for the formulation and analysis of monetary, banking,
credit and exchange policies.

Section

23. Authority to Obtain Data and Information. The Bangko Sentral shall have the authority to request
from government offices and instrumentalities, or
government-owned or controlled corporations, any data
which it may require for the proper discharge of its
functions and responsibilities. The Bangko Sentral
through the Governor or in his absence, a duly
authorized representative shall have the power to issue a
subpoena for the production of the books and records
for the aforesaid purpose. Those who refuse the
subpoena without justifiable cause, or who refuse to
supply the bank with data requested or required, shall be
subject to punishment for contempt in accordance with
the provisions of the Rules of Court.

Data on individual firms, other than banks, gathered

by the Department of Economic Research and other
departments or units of the Bangko Sentral shall not
be made available to any person or entity outside of
the Bangko Sentral whether public or private except
under order of the court or under such conditions as
may be prescribed by the Monetary Board: Provided,
however, That the collective data on firms may be
released to interested persons or entities: Provided,
finally, That in the case of data on banks, the
provisions of Section 27 of this Act shall apply.

Section

24. Training of Technical Personnel. - The Bangko

Sentral shall promote and sponsor the training of technical
personnel in the field of money and banking. Toward this end,
the Bangko Sentral is hereby authorized to defray the costs of
study, at home or abroad, of qualified employees of the
Bangko Sentral, of promising university graduates or of any
other qualified persons who shall be determined by proper
competitive examinations. The Monetary Board shall prescribe
rules and regulations to govern the training program of the
Bangko Sentral.

Section

25. Supervision and Examination. - The Bangko

Sentral shall have supervision over, and conduct
periodic or special examinations of, banking institutions
and quasi-banks, including their subsidiaries and
affiliates engaged in allied activities.

For purposes of this section, a subsidiary means a

corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the
voting stock of which is owned by a bank or quasibank and an affiliate means a corporation the voting
stock of which, to the extent of fifty percent (50%) or
less, is owned by a bank or quasi-bank or which is
related or linked to such institution or intermediary
through common stockholders or such other factors as
may be determined by the Monetary Board.

Section 26. Bank Deposits and Investments. - Any director, officer or

stockholder who, together with his related interest, contracts a loan
or any form of financial accommodation from: (1) his bank; or (2)
from a bank (a) which is a subsidiary of a bank holding company of
which both his bank and the lending bank are subsidiaries or (b) in
which a controlling proportion of the shares is owned by the same
interest that owns a controlling proportion of the shares of his bank,
in excess of five percent (5%) of the capital and surplus of the bank,
or in the maximum amount permitted by law, whichever is lower,
shall be required by the lending bank to waive the secrecy of his
deposits of whatever nature in all banks in the Philippines. Any
information obtained from an examination of his deposits shall be
held strictly confidential and may be used by the examiners only in
connection with their supervisory and examination responsibility or
by the Bangko Sentral in an appropriate legal action it has initiated
involving the deposit account.

Section

27. Prohibitions. - In addition to the

prohibitions found in Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 6713,
personnel of the Bangko Sentral are hereby prohibited
from
a) being an officer, director, lawyer or agent, employee,
consultant or stockholder, directly or indirectly, of any
institution subject to supervision or examination by the
Bangko Sentral, except non-stock savings and loan
associations and provident funds organized exclusively for
employees of the Bangko Sentral, and except as otherwise
provided in this Act;

Section

28. Examination and Fees. - The supervising and

examining department head, personally or by deputy, shall
examine the books of every banking institution once in every
twelve (12) months, and at such other times as the Monetary
Board by an affirmative vote of five (5) members, may deem
expedient and to make a report on the same to the Monetary
Board: Provided, That there shall be an interval of at least
twelve (12) months between annual examinations.

The bank concerned shall afford to the head of the

appropriate supervising and examining departments
and to his authorized deputies full opportunity to
examine its books, cash and available assets and
general condition at any time during banking hours
when requested to do so by the Bangko Sentral:
Provided, however, That none of the reports and other
papers relative to such examinations shall be open to
inspection by the public except insofar as such
publicity is incidental to the proceedings hereinafter
authorized or is necessary for the prosecution of
violations in connection with the business of such
institutions.

Section

29. Appointment of Conservator. - Whenever, on

the basis of a report submitted by the appropriate
supervising or examining department, the Monetary Board
finds that a bank or a quasi-bank is in a state of continuing
inability or unwillingness to maintain a condition of
liquidity deemed adequate to protect the interest of
depositors and creditors, the Monetary Board may appoint
a conservator with such powers as the Monetary Board
shall deem necessary to take charge of the assets,
liabilities, and the management thereof, reorganize the
management, collect all monies and debts due said
institution, and exercise all powers necessary to restore its
viability. The conservator shall report and be responsible
to the Monetary Board and shall have the power to
overrule or revoke the actions of the previous management
and board of directors of the bank or quasi-bank.

The conservator should be competent and

knowledgeable in bank operations and management.
The conservatorship shall not exceed one (1) year.

Section

30. Proceedings in Receivership and Liquidation. Whenever, upon report of the head of the supervising or
examining department, the Monetary Board finds that a bank
or quasi-bank

(a) is unable to pay its liabilities as they become due in the

ordinary course of business: Provided, That this shall not
include inability to pay caused by extraordinary demands
induced by financial panic in the banking community;
(b) has insufficient realizable assets, as determined by the
Bangko Sentral, to meet its liabilities; or
(c) cannot continue in business without involving probable
losses to its depositors or creditors; or
(d) has willfully violated a cease and desist order under
Section 37 that has become final, involving acts or
transactions which amount to fraud or a dissipation of the
assets of the institution; in which cases, the Monetary
Board may summarily and without need for prior hearing
forbid the institution from doing business in the Philippines
and designate the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation
as receiver of the banking institution.

Section

31. Distribution of Assets. - In case of liquidation of a

bank or quasi-bank, after payment of the cost of proceedings,
including reasonable expenses and fees of the receiver to be
allowed by the court, the receiver shall pay the debts of such
institution, under order of the court, in accordance with the
rules on concurrence and preference of credit as provided in
the Civil Code.

Section

32. Disposition of Revenues and Earnings. - All

revenues and earnings realized by the receiver in
winding up the affairs and administering the assets of
any bank or quasi-bank within the purview of this Act
shall be used to pay the costs, fees and expenses
mentioned in the preceding section, salaries of such
personnel whose employment is rendered necessary in
the discharge of the liquidation together with other
additional expenses caused thereby. The balance of
revenues and earnings, after the payment of all said
expenses, shall form part of the assets available for
payment to creditors.

Section 33. Disposition of Banking Franchise. - The

Bangko Sentral may, if public interest so requires, award to
an institution, upon such terms and conditions as the
Monetary Board may approve, the banking franchise of a
bank under liquidation to operate in the area where said
bank or its branches were previously operating: Provided,
That whatever proceeds may be realized from such award
shall be subject to the appropriate exclusive disposition of
the Monetary Board.

Section

34. Refusal to Make Reports or Permit Examination. Any officer, owner, agent, manager, director or officer-incharge of any institution subject to the supervision or
examination by the Bangko Sentral within the purview of this
Act who, being required in writing by the Monetary Board or
by the head of the supervising and examining department
willfully refuses to file the required report or permit any lawful
examination into the affairs of such institution shall be
punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000) nor more than One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000) or by imprisonment of not less than one (1) year
nor more than five (5) years, or both, in the discretion of the
court.

Section

35. False Statement. - The willful making of a

false or misleading statement on a material fact to the
Monetary Board or to the examiners of the Bangko
Sentral shall be punished by a fine of not less than One
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) nor more than Two
hundred thousand pesos (P200,000), or by imprisonment
of not more than (5) years, or both, at the discretion of
the court.

Section

36. Proceedings Upon Violation of This Act and Other

Banking Laws, Rules, Regulations, Orders or Instructions. Whenever a bank or quasi-bank, or whenever any person or
entity willfully violates this Act or other pertinent banking
laws being enforced or implemented by the Bangko Sentral or
any order, instruction, rule or regulation issued by the
Monetary Board, the person or persons responsible for such
violation shall unless otherwise provided in this Act be
punished by a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000) nor more than Two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000) or by imprisonment of not less than two (2) years
nor more than ten (10) years, or both, at the discretion of the
court.

Section

37. Administrative Sanctions on Banks and

Quasi-banks. - Without prejudice to the criminal
sanctions against the culpable persons provided in
Sections 34, 35, and 36 of this Act, the Monetary Board
may, at its discretion, impose upon any bank or quasibank, their directors and/or officers, for any willful
violation of its charter or by-laws, willful delay in the
submission of reports or publications thereof as required
by law, rules and regulations; any refusal to permit
examination into the affairs of the institution; any willful
making of a false or misleading statement to the Board
or the appropriate supervising and examining
department or its examiners.

(a) fines in amounts as may be determined by the Monetary Board to be

appropriate, but in no case to exceed Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000) a
day for each violation, taking into consideration the attendant
circumstances, such as the nature and gravity of the violation or
irregularity and the size of the bank or quasi-bank;
(b) suspension of rediscounting privileges or access to Bangko Sentral
credit facilities;
(c) suspension of lending or foreign exchange operations or authority to
accept new deposits or make new investments;
(d) suspension of interbank clearing privileges; and/or
(e) revocation of quasi-banking license.

Section

38. Operating Departments of the Bangko

Sentral. - The Monetary Board shall, in accordance with
its authority under this Act, determine and provide for
such operating departments and other offices, including
a public information office, of the Bangko Sentral as it
deems convenient for the proper and efficient conduct of
the operations and the accomplishment of the objectives
of the Bangko Sentral. The functions and duties of such
operating departments and other offices shall be
determined by the Monetary Board.

ARTICLE
V.
PUBLICATIONS

REPORTS

AND

Section

39. Reports and Publications. - The Bangko Sentral

shall publish a general balance sheet showing the volume and
composition of its assets and liabilities as of the last working
day of the month within sixty (60) days after the end of each
month except for the month of December, which shall be
submitted within ninety (90) days after the end hereof.

The Monetary Board shall publish and submit the following

reports to the President and to the Congress:

(a) not later than ninety (90) days after the end of each quarter,
an analysis of economic and financial developments, including
the condition of net international reserves and monetary
aggregates;
(b) within ninety (90) days after the end of the year, the
preceding year's budget and profit and loss statement of the
Bangko Sentral showing in reasonable detail the result of its
operations;
(c) one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each semester,
a review of the state of the financial system; and
(d) as soon as practicable, abnormal movements in monetary
aggregates and the general price level, and, not later than
seventy-two (72) hours after they are taken, remedial measures in
response to such abnormal movements.

Section

40. Annual Report. - Before the end of March of each

year, the Bangko Sentral shall publish and submit to the
President and the Congress an annual report on the condition
of the Bangko Sentral including a review of the policies and
measures adopted by the Monetary Board during the past year
and an analysis of the economic and financial circumstances
which gave rise to said policies and measures.

Failure to comply with the reportorial requirements

pursuant to this article without justifiable reason as
may be determined by the Monetary Board shall
cause the withholding of the salary of the personnel
concerned until the requirements are complied with.

Section

41. Signatures on Statements. - The balance

sheets and other financial statements of the Bangko
Sentral shall be signed by the officers responsible for
their preparation, by the Governor, and by the auditor of
the Bangko Sentral.

ARTICLE VI. PROFITS, LOSSES, AND

SPECIAL ACCOUNTS

Section

42. Fiscal Year. - The fiscal year of the Bangko Sentral

shall begin on January first and end on December thirty-first of
each year.

Section

43. Computation of Profits and Losses. - Within

the first thirty (30) days following the end of each year,
the Bangko Sentral shall determine its net profits or
losses. In the calculation of net profits, the Bangko
Sentral shall make adequate allowance or establish
adequate reserves for bad and doubtful accounts.

Section

44. Distribution of Net Profits. - Within the first

sixty (60) days following the end of each fiscal year, the
Monetary Board shall determine and carry out the
distribution of the net profits, in accordance with the
following rule:

Fifty percent (50%) of the net profits shall be carried

to surplus and the remaining fifty percent (50%) shall
revert back to the National Treasury, except as
otherwise provided in the transitory provisions of this
Act.

Section

45. Revaluation Profits and Losses. - Profits or losses

arising from any revaluation of the Bangko Sentral's net assets
or liabilities in gold or foreign currencies with respect to the
Philippine peso shall not be included in the computation of the
annual profits and losses of the Bangko Sentral. Any profits or
losses arising in this manner shall be offset by any amounts
which, as a consequence of such revaluations, are owed by the
Philippines to any international or regional intergovernmental
financial institution of which the Philippines is a member or
are owed by these institutions to the Philippines.

Any remaining profit or loss shall be carried in a

special frozen account which shall be named
"Revaluation of International Reserve" and the net
balance of which shall appear either among the
liabilities or among the assets of the Bangko Sentral,
depending on whether the revaluations have produced
net profits or net losses.

Section

46. Suspense Accounts. - Sections 43 and 43-A

of Republic Act No. 265, as amended, creating the
Monetary Adjustment Account (MAA) and the
Exchange Stabilization Adjustment Account (ESAA),
respectively, are hereby repealed. Amounts outstanding
as of the effective date of this Act based on these
accounts shall continue to be for the account of the
Central Bank and shall be governed by the transitory
provisions of this Act.

The Revaluation of International Reserve (RIR)

account as of the effective date of this Act of the
Central Bank shall continue to be for the account of
the same entity and shall be governed by the
provisions of Section 44 of Republic Act No. 265, as
amended, until otherwise provided for in accordance
with the transitory provisions of this Act.

ARTICLE VII. THE AUDITOR

Section

47. Appointment and Personnel. - The Chairman of

the Commission on Audit shall act as the ex officio auditor of
the Bangko Sentral and, as such, he is empowered and
authorized to appoint a representative who shall be the auditor
of the Bangko Sentral and, in accordance with law, fix his
salary, and to appoint and fix salaries and number of personnel
to assist said representative in his work. The salaries and other
emoluments shall be paid by the Commission. The auditor of
the Bangko Sentral and personnel under him may be removed
only by the Chairman of the Commission.

The representative of the Chairman of the

Commission must be a certified public accountant
with at least ten (10) years experience as such. No
relative of any member of the Monetary Board or the
Chairman of the Commission within the sixth degree
of consanguinity or affinity shall be appointed such
representative.