Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under the principle of separation of powers, the judicial branch has no power under 
our Constitution to suspend a member from the legislative branch. Such an act is a 
diminution of the constitutional principle of interdepartmental courtesy, making it 
unconstitutional and void. If Congress is to be effective in the discharge of its 
legislative function, its independence should be preserved. 
This is the reason why the Constitution explicitly provides that Congress has the 
exclusive privilege of ensuring the orderly behavior of its members. Paragraph 3 of 
Section 16, Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution states: 
“Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its 
Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds 
of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, 
when imposed, shall not exceed sixty days.” 
Since only Congress has the power of punitive suspension, it then follows that only 
Congress has the power of preventive suspension. 
This bill proposes to amend the broad language of Republic Act No. 3019 or the 
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, specifically Section 13 which does not justify a 
construction that will clash with the aforementioned constitutional principle.  
For this reason, there is a need to amend it to make sure that the principle of 
separation of powers is preserved and protected. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
November 10, 2022
2:54 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3019, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT, SECTION 13, ON ITS 
NON-APPLICATION TO IMPEACHABLE PUBLIC OFFICERS  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Republic Act No. 3019, Section 13 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Section 13. Suspension and Loss of Benefits. – Any incumbent public 
officer, EXCEPT: OFFICERS WHO MAY BE REMOVED ONLY BY 
IMPEACHMENT; MEMBERS OF CONGRESS; AND MEMBERS OF THE 
SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS; against whom any 
criminal prosecution under a valid information under its Act or under the 
provisions of the Penal Code on bribery is pending in court, shall be 
suspended from office. Should the accused be convicted by final judgment, 
he/she shall lose all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law, which 
he/she failed to receive during his/her suspension, unless in the meantime 
administrative proceedings have been filed against him/her. 
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 provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
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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,