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

Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Corruption in the Philippines is perceive to be the worst among the East A
economies and even sunk lower among those seen to be lagging in governance reforms. In a
2008 World Bank report on 2008 Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), developing
countries were doing well in controlling corruption and some even matched rich-country
performance in overall governance measures. Unfortunately, the Philippines was not among
them. ‘The Philippines now is at the bottom of the list of East Asia’s 10 largest economies when
it comes to control of corruption, edged out by Indonesia which scored the worst in the region in
the 2008 survey. Corruption, since then, has long been a hindrance to development of this
country and has been a threat and discouragement to prospective foreign as well as domestic
investors in the country. Moreover, this fact does not only worsen the image of the government
of the country but the entire Filipino race as a whole.

s leading

Section 27 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution, mandates that it is a policy of the State

honesty and integrity in the public service, and to this end it shall take positive and
effective measures against graft and corruption. Accordingly, Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise
known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007,” was enacted on 02 July 2007 during the ‘Thirteenth

Congress, primarily (0 eliminate red tape and improve frontline service delivery, as these issues
had been considered of utmost urgency at that time.

Voday, in light of the Aquino Administration’s drive to end graft and corruption in the
public service, there is an imperative need to strengthen the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 to
upgrade its competence in promoting transparency in government affairs and integrity and
honesty among government servants. This bill therefore seeks to amend Section 12 of the law by
providing more stringent penalties for the violators thereof, which will hopefully deter further
violations and corrupt practices in the future.

In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. Lf Co 2

BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY


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

FIFT!

‘TH CONGR!
egular Session,

05
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Rep. BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY

AN ACT.

AMENDING SECTION 12 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9485, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS,
“AN ACT TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN THE DELIVERY OF GOVERNMENT

SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC BY REDUCING BURE
PREVENTING GRAFT AND CORRUPTION, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES.

THEREFOR,” AND FURTHER KNOWN AS TH CT OF 2007”

AND FOR OTHER PURPOS

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

Section 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to establish an effeetive system that will
climinate bureaucratic red tape, avert graft and corrupt practices and improve the efficiency of
delivery of government frontline services.

Section 2. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of
2007,” is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 12. Criminal Liability for Fixers - In addition to See. 11 (b),
fixers, as defined in this Act, shall suffer the penally of
imprisonment not [exceeding six years] LESS THAN SIX YEARS
BUT NOT EXCEEDING TWELVE YEARS or a fine not less than
[Twenty ‘Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00)] ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) but not more than [Two
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00)] ONE MILLION PESOS
(P1,000,000.00) or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of
the court.

Seetion 3. The Civil Service Commission in coordination with the Development Academy of the
Philippines (DAP), the Office of the Ombudsman and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC),


Section 5. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly

Section 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

BERNADETTE HERREI