NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No.
Senate
of lilt i-’t'rtfnr?
*22 JUL 13 P4--42
■BtCElVFD.ia:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACl'
TO FURTHER PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM IN INFORMATION 
DISSEMINATION AMONG PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES BY 
ENSURING THAT THEY DO NOT BECOME SOURCE OF MISINFORMATION, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE, PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 6713 OR THE "CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS 
FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPP OYEES"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Information is defined as the communication or reception of knowledge or 
intelligence. It has been used to mean either of the following; (a) knowledge 
obtained from investigation, study, or instruction; (b) intelligence, news; or (c) facts, 
data.
In an article entitled, "Making Sense of the News: The Power of Information", 
Michael Spikes of Moyers & Company emphasized the Importance of sharing and 
receiving information and/oi news, of significance: '...there is a universal need to 
receive and share news. To illustrate this concept we use a science metaphor and 
say this need stretches back to the earliest humans and is so ingrained in us that is 
almost part of our DNA. What makes information so integral to all humans is that it 
Alerts, Diverts and Connects us all... We are all drawn to consuming and sharing 
news. Many anthropologists have found in their studies of prehistoric societies that 
systems of exchanging news and information were highly prized."


Verily, the truthfulness and veracity of information being shared and/or 
communicated are paramount and sacred. No less than the 1987 Constitution of the 
Philippines declared that ''the State recognizes the vita! role of communication and 
information in nation-buiiding." Even the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines 
prohibits and punishes the publication of "false news" to wit:
"Art. 154. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful 
utterances. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from 
P200 to PI,000 pesos shall be imposed upon:
Any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other 
means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as 
news any false news which may endanger the public order, or 
cause damage to the Interest or credit of the State."
XXX
The Government, thru its officials, when it disseminates "information", bears 
the seal of being "official" and thus automatically carries with it the presumption of 
truthfulness, reliability and accuracy. As such, it is logical and necessary that 
government officials, particularly those charged with the duty and/or mandate to 
disseminate information in their respective offices, agencies and/or departments, 
must be subjected to higher standards of proper conduct particularly in their usage 
of social media and other platforms of information dissemination.
It is thereby the goal of this legislative measure to hold public officials to 
higher standards in the advent of the unavoidable continuous rise of the influence 
and internet penetration brought about by social media by amending pertinent 
provisions of Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and 
Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees".


In order to uphold the accuracy, reliability and truthfulness expected from 
Government officials and/or employees, the immediate enactment into law of this 
legislative measure is hereby sought.
GRACE POE


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SEN AT E
s.No. 547
g?fuatf
#tficR of ti)C &enptfir|)
•22 JUL13 P4 *42
-fUCEatEOi^ n
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO FURTHER PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM IN INFORMATION 
DISSEMINATION AMONG PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES BY 
ENSURING THAT THEY DO NOT BECOME SOURCE OF MISINFORMATION, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE, PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 6713 OR THE "CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS 
FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Fake News Act".
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Sec. 2. Section 4 (b) of Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code
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of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Puolic Officials and Employees" is hereby
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amended to read as follows:
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"(b) Professionalism. - Public officials and employees shall perform and
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discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism,
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intelligence and skill. They shall enter public semce with utmost devotion and
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dedication to duty. They shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of
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their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage. PUBLIC
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OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES,
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INSTRUMENTALITIES, OFFICES AND/OR DEPARTMENTS,
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ESPECIALLY THOSE TASKED TO DISSEMINATE NEWS AND/OR
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INFORMATION, MUST REFRAIN FROM PUBLISHING OR
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DISSEMINATING, OR CAUSING TO PUBLISH OR DISSEMINATE, IN
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THEIR OFFICIAL AND PERSONAL CAPACITIES, FALSE NEWS OR
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INFORMATION THAT SHALL ERODE THE RELIABILITY, ACCURACY


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AND TRUTHFULNESS ACCORDED BY THE PUBLIC TO THE 
GOVERNMENT."
Sec. 3. Section 7 of R.A. No. 6713 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. - In addition to acts and 
omissions of public ofncials and employees nov./ prescribed in the Constitution 
and existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and 
transactions of any public official and employee and are hereby declared to be 
unlawful:
(a) Financial and material interest. - Public officials and employees 
shall not, directly or indirectly, have any financial or material interest in 
any transaction requiring the approval of their office.
XXX
(d) SOURCE OF MISINFORMATION. - PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND 
EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT PUBLISH OR DISSEMINATE, OR 
CAUSE TO PUBLISH OR DISSEMINATE FALSE NEWS OR 
INFORMATION IN ANY PLATFORM, IN RELATION TO SECTION 
4 (B) OF THIS ACT.
(e) [(d)] Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public officials and 
employees shaii not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, 
gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from 
any person in the course of their official duties or In connection with 
any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be 
affected by the functions of their office.
As to gifts or grants from foreign governments, the Congress 
consents to:
I. The acceptance and retention by a public official or employee of 
a gift of nominal value tendered and received as a souvenir or 
mark of courtesy;
il. The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift in the 
nature of a scholarship or fellowship grant or medical treatment; 
or


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iii. The acceptance by a public officia; or empioyee of travel grants
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or expenses for travel taking place entirely outside the Philippine
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(such as allowances, transportation, food, and lodging) of more
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than nominal value if such acceptance is appropriate or
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consistent with the interests of the Philippines, and permitted by
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the head of office, branch or agency to which he belongs.
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The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be
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necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection, including
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pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements.
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Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit any
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educational, scientific or cultural exchange programs subject to
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national security requirements."
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Sec. 4. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part, section or
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provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations and
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other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
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are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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its publication in the Official Gazette or In a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,