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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to prohibit the appointment or designation of resigned elective government 
officials to posts in the government including government-owned or controlled corporations or 
their subsidiaries until after the lapse of one year from such resignation of the official concerned. 
Section 1, Article X1 of our Constitution states that; "Public office is a public trust. Public 
officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost 
responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest 
lives." 
From the above-mentioned provision, it is clear that persons in the government service 
especially elective officials have a commitment to the public. It is assumed that people who run 
for public office have the common desire to serve the populace of the country. It is therefore 
their sworn duty, if they are elected into office, to serve the mandate of the people by performing 
their duty as stated in the Constitution and put the welfare of the public first and foremost in their 
list of priorities. 
In the past, there have been situations when there are tempting and juicy opportunities to 
assume another office or position caused by vacancies or resignations of certain officials. In such 
cases, some government officials aspiring to fill in such vacancies resign from their current posts 
in order for them to be appointed to such office or position. This in effect would create a void in 
the position left by said official. In the case of elective officials, such act would be tantamount to 
setting aside the mandate of the people who chose and elected him or her to be their 
representative and leader. 
Proper measures need to be done in order to dissuade such practice and for such reason, 
approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


This is a Senate counterpart bill to one filed in the House of Representatives by Rep. 
Rozzano Rufino 8. Biazon. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE APPOINTMENT OF ELECTIVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 
WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM RESIGNATION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. No elective government official who bas resigned from his position shall, 
within one (1) year after such resignation, be appointed or designated to any office in the 
Government or any government-owned or controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries. 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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