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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
OCT -2 All :39 
SENATll 
S. No. 
1'166 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Alticle 2, Sections 24 and 28 provides that: 
SEC. 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and 
information in nation-building. 
SEC. 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the 
State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of 
all its transactions involving public interest. 
Governlllent communications is an essential aspect of a strong democracy. Firstly, it 
makes for a solid bureaucracy by ensuring prompt and faithful transmission of information from 
one office to another. In doing so, the government will be able to coordinate its activities 
properly by allowing its agencies to act upon correct information in a timely manner. Good 
communication will prevent the inefficiencies and make government activities more effective. 
Secondly, it allows for better transparency in government communication. If the 
communications are easily understood, regulatory offices and non-government watch groups will 
be able to follow the information and participate promptly and more effectively. 
In using plain language, we will be able to communicate information to a broader range 
of recipients in terms of comprehension levels. We will be able to reach out to more people 
inside and outside the government. 
This bill seeks to enjoin government agencies to use plain language in communications 
by mandating Civil Service Commission to provide the guidelines to all government officials and 
employees . • 
• This bill was Originally filed in the Fom1eenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
I 


St'l1ntr 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
OCT -2 
A11 :39 
SENATE 
S.No. 
1766 
RECEIVED By; ..... ~ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
TO ENHANCE CITIZEN ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND SERVICES 
3 
BY ESTABLISHING THAT GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS ISSUED TO THE PUBLIC 
4 
MUST BE WRITTEN CLEARLY AND IN PLAIN LANGUAGE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
5 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Plain Language Act." 
6 
SECTION 2. Definitions. - The purposes of this Act the term-
7 
(A) 
AGENCY - means all government agencies and instrumentalities, and local 
8 
government offices, government-owned corporations and local government units; 
9 
(B) 
COVERED DOCUMENT - means any document issued by an agency to the 
10 
public, including documents and other text released in electronic form; and 
11 
(C) 
PLAIN LANGUAGE - means language that the intended audience can readily 
12 
understand and use because that language is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other 
13 
best practices of plain language writing. 
14 
SECTION 3. Purpose. - The purpose of this Act is to improve the effectiveness and 
15 
accountability of government agencies to the public by promoting clear communications that the 
16 
public can understand and use. 
17 
SECTION 4. Requirement. - Not later than one (1) year after the date of effectivity of 
18 
this Act, each agency shall use plain language in any covered document of the agency issued or 
19 
substantially revised. 
1 


1 
SECTION 5. implementing Rules and Guidelines. - The Civil Service Commission shall 
2 
promulgate the implementing rules for this law not later than six (6) months after the date of 
3 
effectivity of this Act. Such rule shall contain a provision for the development of a plain 
4 
language manual to be used as guidelines in the implementation of this Act. 
5 
SECTION 6. Report. - Not later than one year after the date of effectivity of this Act, the 
6 
head of each agency shall submit to the appropriate in the Senate and the House of 
7 
Representatives a report that describes how the agency intends to meet the following objectives: 
8 
(A) 
Communicating the requirements of this Act to agenoy employees. 
9 
(B) 
Training agency employees to write in plain language. 
10 
(C) 
Meeting the requirement under Section 4. 
II 
(D) 
Designating a senior official to be responsible for implementing the requirements 
12 
of this Act. 
13 
(E) 
Using, to the extent practicable and appropriate, plain language in regulations 
14 
promulgated by the agency. 
15 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. -
Such sum as may be necessary for the full 
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implementation of this Act is hereby appropriated. 
17 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
18 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
, 
19 
valid and subsisting. 
20 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
21 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
22 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
23 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
24 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2