FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B. No. 2589 
Introduced by SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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According to an SWS Survey made in 2008 entitled "2008 Survey of Enterprises on 
Corruption: Anti-Corruption sincerity ratings improved for only 8 out of 10 agencies", the perception 
of corruption did not improve, with three out of five seeing "a lot" of corruption in the public sector. 
In fact, seven out often companies were asked for a bribe in an index transaction- a record high since 
2005 1• In a similar study conducted by the Asia Foundation in 1999, around twenty-two percent 
(22%) of the respondents said that they have been personally asked for money by a government 
official to speed up transaction. 
According to Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., such occurrences may partly be attributed to the 
fact that many are not familiar with the procedures necessary to transact business with government 
agencies. Hence, through legislation during the 14th Congress, he 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. This way, the need for fixers as well as corrupt government officials 
will be minimized ifnot completely eradicated. 
Thus, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 http://www.tag.org.ph/pdfj2008SWS%20 _ entSu rvey. pdf 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
S.B.No.2589 
Introduced by SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
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'10 
NOV 10 P5 :37 
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE 
FRONTLINE SERVICES TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INFORMATION ON HOW TO 
ACCESS SUCH SERVICES FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION I. 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. 
SECTION 2. Information to Access Government Service. - All units of the government, 
including departments, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or government-owned or controlled 
corporations, 0r local government or distinct units therein, that provide frontline services to the 
public shall put-up information billboards, and iffeasible, produce handbooks that detail: 
a. each step of procedure to obtain a particular service; 
b. employee/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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 4. Maintenance of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be updated regularly 
and maintained in good and readable condition at all times. 
SECTION 5. Location of Billboards. - Information billboards shall be posted at the entrance 
of the government agencies concerned. 
SECTION 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 documentls requested. 
SECTION 7. Denial of Request for Access to Government Service. - Any denial of request 
or access to government service shall be fully explained in writing, signed by the employee 1 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. 
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SECTION 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 
nor more than one thousand pesos, or by imprisonment not exceeding one 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 fonner. 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Government agencies concerned 
shall, within 60 days from the approval hereof, promulgate the appropriate rules and regulations in 
implementing the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 11. 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. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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