Sl'l'lldl' 
> 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE'REPUBLrC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
:) 
i~fhrt Hf t~~E ~.;'rl !'tM~ 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1333 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
I 
The Constitution, Article 2, Sections:27 and 28 provide: 
i 
'13 
AUG 22 P 4 :56 
SEC. 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public 
service and take positive and effectivb measures against graft and corruption. 
I 
I 
SEC. 28. Subject to reasonaple conditions prescribed by law, the State 
adopts and implements a policy of jlfull public disclosure of all its transactions 
involving public interest. 
> 
Further, the Constitution, Article 3, S,ection 7 states: 
,1,1 ;'''!« ·1" 
The right of the peopk to information on matters of public concern shall 
be recognized. Access to official records, and to 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 lat. 
Legislation should be a transparent process to allow our stakeholders, citizens and group 
alike to participate in the process and make ~ure that the laws we enact are truly reflective of the 
I 
will of our constituents: 
, 
I 
The development of information technology has allowed us to reach more Filipinos 
, 
around the world faster than ever. By making use of this technology, we will be able to empower 
, 
I 
our citizens by providing them access to ihformation on-demand and allowing them to voice 
I 
their opinion in a more timely manner. 
This bill seeks to statutorily establish the duty of our legislative bodies to establish and 
maintain websites that contains legislative information accessible to our constituents.' 
.. I., 
I 
~'-
~~.~ ___ J~ 
~_MIRIAM DEFttSSOR SiffTIAfO' 
• This bill was originally filed in the FOUlteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
I 


I 
2 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1333 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
S~m!b 
(@th;r df l!ll~ '~"'t"rd.lr¥ 
'13 
HUG 22 P 4 :56 
TO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
3 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Legislative Document 
4 
Accessibility Act." 
,I,'" ,,, I,,, 
5 
SECTION 2. Definition. - Forithe putposes of this Act, the term-
6 
A. 
"Legislative body" means the Senate or the House of Representatives; 
7 
B. 
"Legislator" means a Senator ,or a Member ofthe House of Representative; 
8 
C. 
"Legislative Documents" includes bills, resolutions, joint resolutions, journals, 
I 
' 
9 
committee reports, republic acts, ado~ted resolutions, and other similar documents which are not 
10 
privileged or confidential; and 
II 
D. 
"Committee" means the appropriate committee in each legislative body. 
I 
12 
SECTION 3. Legislative Website. - :Each legislative body shall establish and maintain a 
I 
13 
, 
website wherein all legislative documents maybe uploaded, searched, and downloaded at no cost 
14 
to the public. 
15 
16 
SECTION 4. Availability Over the Internet. - No committee report shall be considered 
17 
unless such report is available to aii; legislAtors in their respective legislative bodies and made 
18 
available to the general public by means of the legislative website for at least twenty-four (24) 
19 
hours before its consideration. 
1 


I 
This section may be waived or suspended in the respective legislative body only by an 
2 
affirmative vote of at least one-third of members present in plenary session. 
3 
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
Each legislative body shall 
4 
formulate and promulgate their respective rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
5 
6 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
7 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
8 
valid and subsisting. 
9 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
lO 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
.1, 'II' h" ", 
11 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
I 
12 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
13 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2