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| BALLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17"") CONGRESS
First Regular Session |

House Bill No. 2626.

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The country’s dynamic political landscape has witnessed the coming and
going of various national and local leaders, most of whom have left their mark on
the country by way of policy changes and tangible infrastructure projects.

But through all these political changes, there has been a pernicious
practice of new administrations destroying their predecessors’ projects - not
because there was something wrong with the project, but because they
happened to have different projects of their own in mind that they wanted to
implement.

This bill is intended to make it illegal for any administration to destroy
their predecessors’ projects -- as doing so is counterproductive, a waste of
valuable public funds, and it neither promotes nor hastens development in cities
and other areas in the country. Examples of which are the Baywalk, Avenida and
Lacson Underpass urban development projects in the City of Manila. The only
exception would be if the projects were found to be grossly disadvantageous to
the communities where they are located.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH (17") CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2620

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

AN ACT PROHIBITING INCUMBENT OFFICIALS FROM DESTROYING PROJECTS
UNDERTAKEN BY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Good Governance
Continuity Act”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - \t is hereby declared in the
Constitution under Article II, Section 27, (Bill of Rights) that “the state
shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take
positive and effective measures against graft and corruption”. More so,
Article XI Sec. 1 (Accountability of Public Officers) states “Public office is a
public trust, Public officers and employees must at all times be
accountable to the people, serve them with upmost responsibility,
integrity, loyalty and efficiency”. Hence, the destruction of projects started
or undertaken by previous administrations is clearly a wastage of public
funds and is deemed disadvantageous to the government and to its people,

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms -

A. Incumbent Officials ~ refers to the Chief Executive Officer currently
holding office (President, Governors, Mayors, Punong Barangays)

B. Previous Administration - set of officials prior to the present/
incumbent.

C. Intentional Neglect - conscious or intentional failure to perform a duty
due to negligence.

D. Government Property - Refers to all buildings, grounds, statues, and
all other properties belonging to the government, acquired thru public
funds, loans, donations or lease.

SECTION 4. All public officials are prohibited from destroying/
demolishing government projects, undertaken by the previous
administration, be it intentional or due to intentional neglect.


SECTION 5. Exemption. - An exemption shall be granted if the project
has been proven to be disadvantageous to the community or the
government, with proper clearances issued by the NEDA and DPWH as
the case may be for National Government, and DILG and City Planning
Office for Local Governments.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulation. - The IRR shall be
drafted by the Designated Representative from DILG, NEDA,
OMBUDSMAN, DPWH, Civil Service Commission and DO).

SECTION 7. Penalties. - As defined in R.A. 6713, otherwise known as
Code of Conduct of Public Officials, with the additional penalty of
perpetual disqualification from public office, without prejudice to
criminal prosecution, administrative proceedings under applicable Civil
Service Laws, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the Revised Penal
Code.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected shall continue to
be in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation,

Approved.