SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1 6 2 7 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOT~ 
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SEP 11 
PZ :23 
Article III Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides, "The right of the 
people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access of 
official records and documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, 
or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy 
development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be 
provided by law." The right of the people to information is a basic precept to a 
democracy. Thus, the better informed our people are, the better they can 
participate and involve themselves in the workings of the government. And the 
more they can actively involve and participate; our government becomes better 
and more efficient. 
This bill seeks to underscore the principle of transparency in government 
transactions and business. This is one way to rid our government of graft and 
corruption, because, by putting a window through which the people can look into 
the comings and goings in every agency of the government, we can subject 
government policies, programs and activities to public scrutiny. 
The creation of the Public Information and Media Relation Office in every 
branch, subdivision, instrumentality or agency of the government will provide a 
window where people can take a closer glance upon our government. This office is 
mandated to provide the public access to information, especially those affecting 
them. 
It is for the foregoing reasons that passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
OY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senate Bill No. 16 2 7 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
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SEll 11 P 2 :23 
CREATING A PUBLIC INFORMATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE 
(PIMRO) IN ALL BRANCHES, SUBDIVISIONS, INSTRUMENTALITIES AND 
AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
. 
SECTION 1. Creation. There is hereby created a Public Information and 
Media Relation Office (PIMRO) in all branches, subdivision, instrumentalities and 
agencies of the government. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the Policy of State to promote the right 
of the people to information on matters of public concern. Thus, citizen shall be 
afforded access to official records and documents and papers pertaining top 
official acts, transaction or decision through the creation of an office that shall 
facilitate public information and enhance media relations. 
SEC. 3. Duties and Responsibilities. The PIMRO shall have the following 
duties and responsibilities: 
a) 
Provide the general public access to official records, documents and 
papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, and all 
other information on matters of public concern; 
b) 
Prepare, distribute, and disseminate performance report bi- annually 
to inform the public of the various accomplishments of the branch, 
subdivisions instrumentality, and agency of the of the Government 
concerned; 
c) 
Facilitate and coordinate media coverage, media conference, press 
release requirements of he branch, subdivisions, instrumentality, and 
agency of the Government concerned; 
d) 
Provide linkages between the public, the press and the branch, 
subdivision, 
instrumentality and 
agency of the 
Government 
concerned for the proper coordination of information dissemination to 
the public; and, 


e) 
Perform other functions as may be directed by the head of the 
branch, subdivision, instrumentality, and agency of the Government 
in relation to its public information and media relations mandate. 
SEC. 4. Organizational Structure. The Public Information and Media 
Relations Office herein created shall be headed by a Public Information and Media 
relations Officer who shall have the same rank, salary and privileges as a Division 
Chief. Thus, he shall exercise supervision and control of said office. Each branch, 
subdivision, instrumentality and agency of government shall prescribe and define 
the position structure and staffing pattern of its PIMRO subject to existing civil 
service laws, rules and regulations. The positions subsequently created herein 
shall be filled by the regular appointments. Provided, that appointments must 
comply with the qualifications standards set by Civil Service Commission. 
SEC. 
5. 
Appropriations. 
The 
amount 
of 
Fifty 
Million 
Pesos 
(P50,OOO,OOO.OO) not otherwise appropriated shall be initially appropriated out of 
the funds of the National Treasury. Subsequent appropriations shall be provided 
by Congress in the Annual Budget of each government agency under the General 
Appropriations Act. 
.. 
. . 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. Any provisions of law, Presidential decree, 
executive order, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any of the 
provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effecfivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved,