THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to regulate the practice of criminology profession in the country.

192 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill (HB) 7191 or the “Philippine Criminology Profession Act.”

The bill, authored by Representative Gary Alejano and Maximo Rodriguez Jr., mandates the examination, registration and licensure for criminologists; the supervision, control and regulation of the practice of criminology; the development of the professional competence of criminologists through a Continuing Professional Development Program; and the integration of all criminology professional groups.

The measure also provides for the creation of a Professional Regulatory Board of Criminologists, to be under the administrative supervision and control of the Professional Regulation Commission.

The board shall supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of criminology in accordance with the provisions of the Act; promulgate and issue rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the proposed measure; and to promulgate and adopt a Code of Ethics and a Code of Good Governance for the practice of criminology.

The board shall also recommend to the PRC the endorsement of cases involving criminal violations of the said Act, its implementing rules, among others.

Persons who shall be authorized to practice the criminology profession in the country under the bill are those duly registered criminologists and holders of valid certificates of registration and valid professional identification cards issued by the board and the PRC pursuant to the said Act. (SunStar Philippines)