FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
605 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 111 Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides, "The right of the 
people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access of 
official records and documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, 
transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis 
for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations 
as may be provided by law." The right of the people to information is a basic 
precept io a democracy.' Thus, the better informed our people are, the better 
they can participate and involve themselves in the workings of the government. 
And the more they can actively involve and participate; our government becomes 
better and more efficient. 
This bill seeks to underscore the principle of transparency in government 
transactions and business. This is one way to rid our government of graft and 
corruption, because, by putting a window through which the people can look into 
the comings and goings in every agency of the government, we can subject 
government policies, programs and activities to public scrutiny. 
The creation of the Public Information and Media Relation Office in every 
branch, subdivision, instrumentality or agency of the government will provide a 
window where people can take a closer glance upon our government. This office 
is mandated to provide the public access to information, especially those 
affecting them. 
It is for the foregoing reasons that passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A TT E 
S.B.No. 605 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
CREATING A PUBLIC INFORMATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE 
(PIMRO) IN ALL BRANCHES, SUBDIVISIONS, INSTRUMENTALITIES AND 
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTlON I .  Creation. There is hereby created a Public Information and 
Media Relation Office (PIMRO) in all branches, subdivision, instrumentalities and 
agencies of the government. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the Policy of State to promote the 
right of the people to information on matters of public concern. Thus, citizen shall 
be afforded access to official records and documents and papers pertaining top 
official acts, transaction or decision through the creation of an office that shall 
facilitate public information and enhance media relations. 
SEC. 3. Duties and Responsibilities. The PIMRO shall have the 
following duties and responsibilities: 
a) Provide the general public access to official records, documents and 
papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, and all other 
information on matters of public concern; 
b) Prepare, distribute, and disseminate performance report bi- annually to 
inform the public of the various accomplishments of the branch, subdivisions 
instrumentality, and agency of the of the Government concerned: 
c) Facilitate and coordinate media coverage, media conference, press 
release requirements of he branch, subdivisions, instrumentality, and agency of 
the Government concerned: 
d) Provide linkages between the public, the press and the branch, 
subdivision, instrumentality and agency of the Government concerned for the 
proper coordination of information dissemination to the public; and 


e) Perform other functions as may be directed by the head of the branch, 
subdivision, instrumentality, and agency of the Government in relation to its 
public information and media relations mandate. 
SEC. 4. Organizational Structure. The Public Information and Media 
Relations Office herein created shall be headed by a Public Information and 
Media relations Officer who shall have the same rank, salary and privileges as a 
Division Chief. Thus, he shall exercise supervision and control of said office. 
Each branch, subdivision, instrumentality and agency of government shall 
prescribe and define the position structure and staffing pattern of its PIMRO 
subject to existing civil service laws, rules and regulations. 
The positions subsequently created herein shall be filled by the regular 
appointments. Provided, that appointments must comply with the qualifications 
standards set by Civil Service Commission. 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. 
The 
amount 
of 
Fifty Million Pesos 
(P50,000,000.00) not otherwise appropriated shall be initially appropriated out of 
the funds of the National Treasury. Subsequent appropriations shall be provided 
by Congress in the Annual Budget of each government agency under the 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 6. Separability. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. Any provisions of law, Presidential decree, 
executive order, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any of the 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effecfivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,