FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF TBE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and 
Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, enjoins all public servants to 
respond or act promptly on letters, telegrams or other means of communication sent by 
the public. 
The law gives such officials a period of fifteen (15) working days within which to 
respond or take action on the request. However, not a few government officials are remiss 
in this obligation whether due to oversight or deliberate failure. In most instances, it takes 
an unreasonably long time for a response to come along. 
The failure to respond may not necessarily be a conscious and deliberate act to ignore a 
letter-request because some officials are really mired in work. Yet the wisdom of the law 
is beyond cavil. Public office is a public trust, and all government officials and 
employees must at all times be accountable to the people. Certainly, a citizen however 
ordinary deserves nothing less than public service discharged with utmost responsibility, 
integrity and efficiency. 
It is within this context that this measure is being proposed. This bill provides stiffer 
penalties for the failure of public officials to respond or act on letters and other 
communications from the public if only to put more teeth to the law. 
ANkOhO “SONNY” F. TIULLANES lV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHZIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR STIFFER PENALTIES AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND 
EMPLOYEES WHO REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO ACT PROMPTLY ON THE 
PUBLIC’S PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS AS 
REQUIRED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE “CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETBICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC 
OFPICLALS AND EMPLOYEES” 
Be it enucted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Prompt Action on Letters and Requests. - All public officials and 
employees shall, as a great rule, respond to letters, telegrams, or other means of 
communication sent by the public within fifteen (1 5 )  working days from receipt thereof, 
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of Republic Act. No. 6713, otherwise 
known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and 
Employees”. The reply must contain the action taken on the request. 
SEC. 2. Exceptions. - In cases where the subject matter of the written requests, 
petitions or motions sent by means of letters, telegrams or the like, is non-routine or the 
issues involved are not simple or ordinary or where the action desired cannot be acted 
upon in the ordinary course of business of the department or agency concerned, action on 
such cases shall be made in accordance with the procedures prescribed under Rule VI, 
Section 3 of the Implementing Rules of R.A. 6713 promulgated by the Civil Service 
Commission. 
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SEC. 3. Other Duties. - All public officials and employees are likewise under 
obligation to see to it that all official papers and documents are processed and completed 
within a reasonable time from the preparation thereof and that public documents are 
made accessible to and readily available for inspection by the public within reasonable 
working hours. In the discharge of the abovementioned duties and responsibilities, public 
officials and employees shall be guided by the procedures prescribed under Rule VI, 
Section 4 to 7 of the Implementing Rules of R.A. 6713 referred to in the preceding 
section. 
SEC. 4. Penulties. - Any public official or employee, regardless of whether or 
not he holds office or employment in a casual, temporary, hold-over, permanent or 
regular capacity, who commits any violation of this Act shall, after due notice and 
hearing by the appropriate body or agency, be punished with a fine of not less than the 
equivalent of three (3) months salary but not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months 
salary or suspension for a period of not less than six (6) months nut not exceeding one (1) 
year, or removal from office, depending upon the gravity of the offense and taking into 
consideration other aggravating factors, such as recidi.vism on the part of the respondent 
officials or employee. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of Section 11 of R.A. 6713, other 
laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith, are 
repealed or modified accordmgly. 
SEC. 6. Effectivi@. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of genera1 circulation. 
Approved, 
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