13th Congress of the Republic ) 
of the Philippines 
) 
3rd Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S B B 4  
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 27 of the Constitution states that, "The state shall 
maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and 
effective measures against graft and corruption." 
Despite this constitutional mandate, there is still pervasive corruption in 
the Government. In a study funded by the Asia Foundation in 1999, roughly 
twenty-two percent (22%) of the respondents said that they have been personally 
asked for money by a government official at some point to speed up transaction. 
Such occurrences may partly be attributed to the fact that many are not 
familiar with the procedures necessary to transact business with government 
agencies. To solve this problem, the World Bank through its book Combating 
Corruption in the Philippines proposed that all government agencies be required 
to post each step of procedure to obtain a particular service; personk 
responsible for each step; maximum time to conclude the process; amount of 
fees if necessary; and procedure for filing complaints. 
In view thereof, immediate 
c 4 


13'h Congress of the Republic ) 
of the Philippines 
) 
3rd Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE 
FRONTLINE SERVICES TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INFORMATION ON HOW TO 
ACCESS SUCH SERVICES FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State, consistent 
with the Constitution, to promote and maintain integrity, competence and 
efficiency in public service and to take positive and effective measures against 
graft and corruption. 
SECTION 2. lnformation to Access Government Service. - All units of 
the government, including departments, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or 
government-owned or controlled corporations, or local government or distinct 
units therein, that provide frontline services to the public shall put-up information 
billboards, and if feasible, produce handbooks that detail: 
a. each step of procedure to obtain a particular service; 
b. employeelofficer responsible for each step; 
c. maximum time to conclude the process; 
d. documentls to be presented by the requesting party, if necessary; 
e. amount of fees, if necessary; and 
f. procedure for filing complaints in cases of violations or negligence in 
the implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 3. Language. - Information billboards shall be in the language 
most commonly used in the area where the government agency is located and in 
the English language, at the option of the agency concerned. 
SECTION 4. Maintenance of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be 
updated regularly and maintained in good and readable condition at all times. 


SECTION 5. Location of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be 
posted at the entrance of the government agencies concerned. 
SECTION 6. Extension of Period fo Conclude the Process. - Under 
unusual circumstances, the maximum time to access government service as 
indicated in the billboard or handbook may be extended within a reasonable 
period; Provided, that the agencies concerned shall notify the requesting party of 
the cause of extension and the final date of release of the documentk requested. 
SECTION 7. Denial of Request for Access to Government Service. - 
Any denial of request or access to government service shall be fully explained in 
writing, signed by the employee / officer denying such request and the grounds 
thereof. Any denial of request is deemed to have been made with the permission 
or clearance from the highest authority having jurisdiction over the government 
agency concerned. 
SECTION 8. Penalties. -Any public officer or employee who violates or is 
negligent in the performance of the provisions hereof, shall be punished by a fine 
of not less than one hundred pesos nor more than one thousand pesos, or by 
imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion of the Court. 
The violation of this Act proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall 
be sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public officer or employee, even 
if no criminal prosecution is instituted against the former. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Government 
agencies concerned shall, within 60 days from the approval hereof, promulgate 
the appropriate rules and regulations in implementing the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any part or 
provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts or 
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force 
and effect. 
SECTION 11. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations, issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are deemed repealed or amended accordingly. 


SECTION 12. €ffecfjvify. This Act shall take effect after fifteen days 
following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national 
newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,