EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 14«p
20
J
20 MAY -4/ P3 29
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
RECEIVED P'.':
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING ELECTRONIC AND ONLINE MODALITIES FOR THE 
PROMULGATION OF LAWS, RESOLUTIONS, RULES AND OTHER 
ISSUANCES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 18, 24 AND 25 
CHAPTER 5, BOOK 1 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292 OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987
Explanatory Note
The 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes the right of the people to 
information on matters of public concern. Further, citizens shall be afforded access 
to official records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, 
transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research date used as basis for 
policy development, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.1
Moreover, Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the Civil Code of the 
Philippines, sets the effectivity of laws to fifteen days following the completion of 
their publication in the Official Gazette, unless otherwise provided.2
However, limited access to and knowledge of the Official Gazette denies the 
public of their right to information. Thus, Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known 
as the Administrative Code of 1987, mandated the publication of laws in at least two 
newspapers of general circulation as an alternative to their publication in the Official 
Gazette.
In this day and age, the internet has become a more efficient medium for 
information dissemination. This bill seeks to require the publication of laws in the 
online edition of the Official Gazette over and above publication in newspapers of
1 Section 7, Article III, 1987 Philippine Constitution.
2 Section 2, Civil Code of the Philippmes.


general circulation. This is a way to utilize technological advancement to enable the 
people to utilize the right to information.
Hence, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
GRACE POE


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
fj.rss^tS'ffic? of t!je ;S>?fr?tnr2>
SENATE
20 ^AV
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PRESCRIBING ELECTRONIC AND ONLINE MODALITIES FOR THE 
PROMULGATION OF LAWS, RESOLUTIONS, RULES AND OTHER 
ISSUANCES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 18, 24 AND 25 
CHAPTER 5, BOOK 1 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292 OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Electronic and Online
2 
Publication of Laws Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to ensure
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compliance with the fundamental right of the public to information, specifically on
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matters of public concern. The State recognizes the vital role of information and
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communications technology as an alternative to traditional printed or paper editions
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of newspaper and the Official Gazette in bringing to the people important
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information for proper guidance and appropriate compliance.
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Sec. 3. Sections 18, 24 and 25, Chapter 5, Book 1 of Executive Order No. 292
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are hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Sec 18. When Laws Take Effect. - laws shall take effect after fifteen
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(15) Days following the completion of their publication in the
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ELECTRONIC AND PRINT VERSIONS of the Official Gazette or in a
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newspaper of general circulation, unless it is otherwise provided."


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GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND OFFICES MANDATED TO IMPLEMENT 
THE LAW SHALL PUBLISH AN ELECTRONIC COPY THEREOF IN THEIR 
OFFICIAL WEB PORTAL; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH 
ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION OTHER THAN THAT PUBLISHED IN THE 
ONLINE EDITION OF THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE SHALL BE FOR 
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION ONLY.
XXX
"Sec. 24. Contents. - There shall be published in the ELECTRONIC 
AND PRINT VERSIONS of the Official Gazette all legislative acts and 
resolutions of a public nature; all executive and administrative 
issuances of general application; decisions or abstracts of decisions of 
the Supreme Court and Court of appeals, or other courts of similar 
rank, as may be deemed by the said courts of sufficient importance to 
be so published; such documents or classes of documents as may be 
required so to be published by law; and such documents or classes of 
documents as the President shall determine from time to have general 
application or which he may authorize to be published.
"the publication of any law, resolution or other official documents in 
the ELECTRONIC AND PRINT VERSIONS of the Official Gazette shall 
be prima facie evidence of its authority.
"Sec. 25. Editing and pubiications. - The Official Gazette, BOTH ITS 
ELECTRONIC AND PRINT VERSIONS, shall be edited BY THE 
PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS OFFICE of
the Office of the President. THE PAPER VERSION OR PRINTED 
COPY SHALL BE [and] published weekly in FILIPINO or in the 
English language. It shall be sold and distributed by the National 
Printing Office which shall promptly mail copies thereof to subscribers 
free of postage."


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Sec. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Presidential
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Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, in coordination with
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concerned agencies, shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations within sixty
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(60) days from approval of this Act, for its effective implementation.
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Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the
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other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, rules or issuances
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inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Effectivity. - shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of
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its publication in the online or printed edition of the Official gazette, or in at least
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two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,