FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OFi THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 5E 1 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article /I, Section 27 of the Constitution states that, "The state shall maintain 
honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective 
measures against graft and corruption." 
Despite this constitutional mandate, there is still pervasive corruption in the 
Government. In a study funded by the Asia Foundation in 1999, roughly twenty-
two percent (22%) of the respondents said that they have been personally asked 
for money by a government official at some point to speed up transaction. 
Such occurrences may partly be attributed to the fact that many are not familiar 
with the procedures necessary to transact business with government agencies. 
To solve this problem, the World Bank through its book "Combating Corruption in 
the Philippines" proposed that all government agencies be required to post each 
step of procedure to obtain a particular service; person/s responsible for each 
step; maximum time to conclude the process; amount of fees if necessary; and 
procedure for filing complaints. 
The immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
561 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE FRONTLINE 
SERVICIi=S TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INFORMATION ON HOW TO ACCESS 
SUCH SERVICES FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State, consistent with 
the Constitution, to promote and maintain integrity, competence and efficiency in 
public service and to take positive and effective measures against graft and 
corruption. 
SEC 2. 
Information to Access Government Service. -
All units of the 
government, including departments, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or 
government-owned or controlled corporations, or local government or distinct 
units therein, that provide frontline services to the public shall put-up information 
billboards, and if feasible, produce handbooks that detail: 
a. each step of procedure to obtain a particular service; 
b. employee I officer responsible for each step; 
c. maximum time to conclude the process; 
d. document/s to be presented by the requesting party, if necessary; 
e. amount of fees, if necessary; and 
f. 
procedure for filing complaints in cases of violations or negligence in the 
implementation of this Act. 
SEC 3. 
Language. -
Information billboards shall be in the language most 
commonly used in the area where the government agency is located and in the 
English language, at the option of the agency concerned. 
SEC 4. 
Maintenance of Billboards. -
Information billboards shall be updated 
regularly and maintained in good and readable condition at all times. 


SEC 5. Location of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be posted at the 
entrance of the government agencies concerned. 
SEC 6. 
Extension of Period to Conclude the Process. -
Under unusual 
circumstances, the maximum time to access government service as indicated in 
the billboard or handbook may be extended within a reasonable period; 
Provided, That the agencies concerned shall notify the requesting party of the 
cause of extension and the final date of release of the document requested. 
SEC 7. Denial of Request for Access to Government Service. - Any denial of 
request or access to government service shall be fully explained in wr iting, 
signed by the employee I officer denying such request and the grounds thereof. 
Any denial of request is deemed to have been made with the permission or 
clearance from the highest authority having jurisdiction over the government 
agency concerned. 
SEC 8. Penalties. - Any public officer or employee who violates or is negligent in 
the performance of the provisions hereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less 
than One hundred pesos (P100.00) nor more than One thousand pesos 
(P1,OOO.OO), or by imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, or both, at the 
discretion of the Court. 
The violation of this Act proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be 
sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public officer or employee, even if 
no criminal prosecution is instituted against the former. 
SEC 9. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. -
The Government agencies 
concerned shall, within sixty (60) days from the approval hereof, promulgate the 
appropriate rules and regulations in implementing the provisions of this Act. 
SEC 10.' Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any part or provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act are deemed repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper 
of general circulation. 
Approved,