REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 936

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List RepresentativesFranciscoAshley L. Acedillo and
Gary C. Alejano

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 da
take action on the request. However, not a few government offi
whether due to oversight or deliberate failure. In most instance:
time for a response to come along.

within which to respond or
are remiss in this obligation
it takes an unreasonably long

The failure to respond may not necessarily be a conscious and deliberate act to ignore a letter-
Tequest 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.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is strongly recommended.

CISCO ASHLEY L. ACEDILLO ARY C. ALEJANO



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

936

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party List Representatives Francisco Ashley L. Acedillo and
Gary C. Alejano

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 ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND
EMPLOYEES"

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

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 (15) 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 concemed, action on such cases shall be made in
accordance with the procedures prescribed under Rule V1, Section 3 of the Implementing Rules

of R.A. 6713 promulgated by the Civil Service Commission.


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. 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 @ 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

>. 4. Penalties. — 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 recidivism 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 accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,