TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
1299
Senate
of tl)f ^I'iCftarp
25 AUG 27 P5 29
RtCEIVcD BY;_
IntroducGd by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND GOOD 
GOVERNANCE BY PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM 
INTERVENING IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND BUDGETING OF LOCAL 
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines establishes a 
government founded on the fundamental doctrine of the separation of powers among 
the three co-equal branches: the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judiciary in order 
to prevent the concentration of power, preserve institutional integrity, and ensure a 
system of checks and balances essential to democratic governance.
Under the purview of the Legislative Branch is the enactment of laws and 
authorization of appropriations through the passage of the General Appropriations Act. 
However, members of Congress have reportedly exerted influence over the 
identification and prioritization of infrastructure projects at the local level, often 
through informal channels or post-enactment budget insertions. This practice not only 
undermines the constitutional separation of powers but also fosters patronage, 
reduces the efficiency of public spending, and increases the risk of corruption.
This bill seeks to institutionalize a clear prohibition against the intervention of 
legislators in the identification, selection, endorsement, or budgeting of local 
infrastructure projects, affirms the rightful role of the Executive branch in the 
execution and implementation of public plans and programs, while preserving the 
Legislative's constitutional exercise of oversight.


In addition, this measure aims to reinforce the role of the local government 
units, in coordination with agencies involved in national development planning, urban 
and rural development planning, and public spending to ensure the effectiveness and 
responsiveness of public programs, with the end in view of strengthening the 
institutional integrity of the government, promoting transparent and accountable 
public spending, and ensuring that infrastructure projects are implemented based on 
objective, developmental, and local needs.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
OBLNHOOD PADILLA
/ Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 1299
Senate
o{ tljc ‘*>ca-ftary
25 AUG 27 P5 '29 
\
RtCElVED BY..
Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla
AN ACT
PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND GOOD 
GOVERNANCE BY PROHIBITING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM 
INTERVENING IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND BUDGETING OF LOCAL 
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Mahiya Naman Kayo
Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote 
transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance, particularly in the 
identification, planning, and implementation of public infrastructure projects. The 
power to plan and execute local development programs must reside with the duly 
elected and mandated local government units (LGUs) in accordance with the principles 
of decentralization enshrined in the Local Government Code of 1991.
Sec. 3. Prohibited Acts. - Members of Congress shall not:
a. Initiate, identify, endorse, insert, or otherwise influence the selection or 
inclusion of local infrastructure projects in the annual national budget, 
whether during or after budget preparation;
b. Direct or suggest to any government agency or LGU the implementation 
of specific infrastructure projects using national funds in their districts or 
constituencies;


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c. Intervene in the procurement process, award of contracts, appointment
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of key personnel involved in procurement and infrastructure projects, or
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disbursement of public funds relating to local infrastructure projects; and
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d. Act as contractors, suppliers, project implementers, or intermediaries for
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the same for local infrastructure projects.
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Sec. 4. Strengthening LGU Authority. - All proposals for infrastructure projects
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to be funded by the national government in local areas must originate from the
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concerned local government units, subject to alignment with national development
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plans and evaluation by relevant agencies such as the Department of Budget and
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Management (DBM), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development
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(DEPDev), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the
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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metropolitan Manila
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Development Authority (MMDA).
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Sec. 5. Transparency Measures. - All approved local infrastructure projects,
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their sources of funding, and implementation details shall be published on publicly
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accessible government websites such as the Philippine Government Electronic
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Procurement System (PhilGEPS), the DBM website, and the concerned LGU portals.
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Sec. 6. Penaities. - Any Member of Congress found violating the provisions of
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this Act shall be subject to:
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a. Censure or suspension by the respective House of Congress upon the
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recommendation of the Ethics Committee;
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b. Administrative sanctions under applicable laws and regulations; and
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c. Criminal prosecution if acts constitute violations of the Anti-Graft and
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Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. 3019), the Code of Conduct and Ethical
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Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A. 6713), or other penal
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laws.
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Sec. 7. Impiementing Ruies andReguiations. - The Department of Budget and
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Management (DBM), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local
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Government (DILG) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), shall promulgate the
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necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty
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(60) days from its effectivity.


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Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
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thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
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accordingly.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act shall not be affected and shall remain in full
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force and effect.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers
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of general circulation.
Approved,