Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1199

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Lobbying activities are being carried out today in the Philippines and greatly
influence the making of government's policies and decisions and even the
creation of laws.

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 28 states:

“Article 2, Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by the law, the State adopts
and implements a policy full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public
interest.”

This proposal upholds the above quoted provision by making lobbying
activities more public, as well as, ensuring openness, honesty and integrity in
dealings of and between Members of Congress and lobbyist or lobbying group.
Specifically, the measure makes it possible for citizens to,communicate their views
on controversial issues.

The recurring and numerous Senate and House inquiries investigating
alleged anomalous deals of the government are proof of public distrust in the way
government transactions and contracts are being done. It must be remembered
that while records of the deliberations of the Senate and the House of
Representatives are open to the public, the “behind-the-scenes” negotiations are
not.

Thus, it is important that lobbying activities be legislated for it will greatly
help in restoring the people's trust and confidence in the government, and
ultimately instill responsibility to those people infuencing policy makers.

In view of the foregoing statements, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

1 District, Representative
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 1199

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the Lobbying
Accountability Act 2010.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to enhance
public confidence in the integrity of public office and the decision-making process
in government by implementing a policy of full public disclosure of all its
transactions involving public interest.

SECTION 3. Lobbying activity defined. - For the purposes of this Act, but
‘subject to this section, lobbying activity means:

(1) Any oral or written communication (including an electronic
communication) with a public official intended to influence:

(a) the develoment of any legislative proposal by the government or
bya member of either House of Congress; or

(b) the introduction of any bill in either House of Congress or the
passage or amendment of any bill that is before either House of
Congress; or

(c)the making or amendment of any delegated legislation; or

(d) introduction of or change to any government policy or program; or
(e) the exercise of any authority or power conferred under a written
law; or

(f) the éxpenditure of public money.

(2) Lobbying activity does not include oral of written communication
(including an electronic communication) that is:

(a) made by a public official , an agency, or any other person holding
office under a written law in his, her or its official capacity; or

(b) made on behalf of the government ; or

(c) made on behalf of the government of foreign country; or

(d) constituted by any application required or authorized by a written
law; or

(e) made in response to a written request from a public official acting
in his or her official capacity; or


((f) made by a representative or employee of a media organization
for the purposes of gathering and disseminating news and
information to the public;
(g) made in a speech, article, publication or other material that is
distributed and made available to the public, or through redio,
television, or other medium of mass communication; or
(h) made in a petition to either House of Congress or in evidence of
submissions to a committee of either of those Houses, or a joint
committee of both Houses of Congress; or
(1) made in the course of any judicial proceedings.

(3) Lobbying activity does not include arranging or attending a meeting with

a public official:

(a) that is open to members of the public; or

(b) by a representative or employee of a media organization for the
purposes of gathering and disseminating news and information to
the public.

SECTION 4. Requirement of Registration. - (1) A person or group
engaged in lobbying activities must register with the Securities and Exchange
Commision setting out the information referred to in subsection (2) below.

(2) A registration lodged in accordance with subsection (1) must be
notarized and shall set out the following information in relation to all of the lobbying
activity carried out by the lobbyist:

(a) the name and business address of the lobbyist;

(b) the name and busines address of the employer or the person in whose
behalf the —_ lobbying acitvity is carried out;

(c) if the employer is corporation, the name and business address of any
related entity of the employer that, to the knowledge of the lobbyist, has a
direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity;

(d) any other person that, to the knowledge of the lobbyist, has direct
interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity;

(e) a description in summary form of the employer's business or activities
and such _ other information to identify the nature of the employer's business or
activities as is prescribed;

(f) a description, in summary form, of the subject matter of the lobbying
activity, and such other information regarding the subject matter as is prescribed;

(g) particulars to identify any legislative proposal, bill, delegated legislation,
policy, program, authority, power or expendituré to which the lobbying
activity related;

(h) the names and designations of the public officials in relation to whom
lobbying —_activity was directed;

(1) such other information in relation to lobbying activity as is prescribed.

(3) The Commissioner may, on the application oof a lobbyist, extend the
time within which the registration required by subsection (1) must be made by not
more than fourteen (14) days

SECTION 5. Establishment of register of lobbying activities. - (1) The
Commissioner must compile and maintain a register to be called the Register of
Lobbying Activity.

(2) The register is to comprise all of the information set out in returns lodged
under this Act.

(3) The register may compiled in such manner and form as the
Commissioner considers convenient, except that the register must be available
and up-to-date for inspection.


(4) The register must be open to inspection by any person at such place
and at such reasonable times as the Commissioner may determine.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. - There shall be authorized to be
appropriated such amounts as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act

SECTION 7..Separability Clause.- If any provision, or part thereof, is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act, are hereby modified,
repealed, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,