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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
3 
First Regular Session 
1 
S.B. No. 10 2 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article I l l .  Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution provides, I' 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. 'I The right of the 
people to information us 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 into our government. This office is mandated to provide 
the public need to gain access to information, especially those affecting them. 
It is for the foregoing reasons that passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
A 
JSenator 


,' 
b 64' 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
3 
First Regular Session 
) 
S.B. No. 102 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
CREATING A PUBLIC INFORMATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE (PIMRO) IN 
ALL BRANCHES, SUBDIVISIONS, INSTRUMENTALITIES AND AGENCIES OF THE 
GOVERNMENT, APPROPRIATING FINDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTON I. Creafion. There is hereby created a Public Information and Media 
Relation Office (PIMRO) in all branches, subdivision, instrumentalities and agencies of 
the government; 
SECTION 2. Declarafion 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. 
SECTION 3. Duties and Responsibilities. The PIMRO shall have the following 
duties and responsibilities: 
Provide the general public access to official rbcords, documents and papers 
pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, and all other 
information on matters of public concern; 
Prepare, distribute, and disseminate 1 performance report bi- annually to 
inform the public of the various accomblishments of the branch, subdivisions 
instrumentality, and agency of the of the Government concerned; 
Facilitate and coordinate media coverage, media conference, press release 
requirements of he branch, subdivisions, instrumentality, and agency of the 
Government concerned; 
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. 
SECTION 4. Organizational Sfrucfure. 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. 
SECTION 5. Appropriafions. The amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P50, 
000,000.00) 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. 
SECTION 6. Separability. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 8. Efiecfivify Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,