Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

yt 792
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“It is the policy of the State to promote a high standard of ethics in public service. Public
officials and employees shall at all times be accountable to the people and shall discharge their
duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence, and loyalty." In order to discharge this,
even the slightest appearance of impropriety by government officials and agencies is frowned
upon and consequently prohibited.When a non-government entity occupies a portion of a
government office, the physical closeness creates an impression of intimacy and the possibility
of mutual influence. This presence of a non-government entity unintentionally operates as an
endorsement for whatever purpose of the non-government entity. The biggest danger of having a
government and a non-government entity situated in the same vicinity is the possible leakage and
mishandling of sensitive and classified government information to those who are not authorized
to possess the same.

As aptly stated by Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. when he originally filed this legislation in the
14th Congress: "This measure in no way prohibits consultation or the provision of assistance to
the government. As we all know, there are many areas where government needs the participation
of the private or of the foreign sector where in such cases such sectors have more experiences.
What is prohibited is the actual occupation by these non-government entities of government
office premises, as well as the provision of any material support by the government to the offices
of these non-government entities.”

Hence, the approval of this initiative is earnestly sought.

—

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON,
Representative

First District of Northern Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

ANACT
TO PROHIBIT THE GOVERNMENT FROM ALLOWING ANY
NON-GOVERNMENT ENTITY FROM OCCUPYING ANY BUILDING,
OFFICE OR OTHER PREMISES WHERE GOVERNMENTAL
FUNCTIONS ARE BEING PERFORMED

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

Section 1. Unless otherwise provided by law, all government departments, agencies, bureaus,
offices or instrumentalities are prohibited from leasing, renting, lending or otherwise allowing
any non-government entity, whether domestic or foreign, to occupy any building, office or other
premises where such department, agency, bureau, office or instrumentality of holding office or
otherwise performing governmental functions.

Section 2. Unless otherwise provided by law, the government is likewise prohibited from using
government funds for the provision of any material, supplies, utilities or goods for the
maintenance or functioning of any office of any non-government entity, whether domestic or
foreign and whether or not they are located in any government building, office or other premises.
This prohibition shall include the provision of government personnel hours for the maintenance
of functioning of any office of any non-government entity, whether domestic or foreign.

Section 3. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act shall be imprisoned for a
period for a period not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years in the discretion of
the court and a fine of not more than twenty thousand pesos (P 20,000.00).

Section 4. This Act shall effect (15) days after its publication in at least (2) newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,