REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

4929

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry L. Ridon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the Philippines, traditional politicians have a long-established cottage
industry of self-perpetuation — a system of insidious advertising of the politician's so-
called achievements through the plastering of their faces on finished public works and
projects. Instead of emphasizing that such civil works are products of the people's hard
work, these politicians make it look like their constituents owe him or her debt of
gratitude for the project. This system of political advertising has even evolved and
reached new lows — with many government officials now not only content with putting
up large billboards announcing their new road projects or buildings, but worse, even
set up pesky greetings for the most commonplace of events.

In truth, this system of political advertising is a manifestation of our nation's
deeply troubling patronage politics and the proliferation of political dynasties in the
country. Playing with the concepts of mass communications, these traditional
politicians take advantage of the power and funds under their discretion to boost name
recall and face recognition, two key factors important during the elections.

This bill seeks to stop this moribund system by declaring unlawful the naming
or identification of any government project after any government official or other
persons whose identity may in any manner be associated with said government
official, except those as may be determined by the National Historical Commission of
the Philippines (NHCP) in accordance with law or its duly issued guidelines or
regulations

It is the view of this humble representation that passing such legislation will
have twin effects — one, it will prohibit officials from abusing projects for personal
benefits; and second, it will pave the way for the people's renewed appreciation of
Public works, a new view wherein they will be able to appreciate new roads, bridges,
and other projects as the fruits of the nation’s collective effort, and not a boon granted
by a self-serving politician.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill — which was first filed by former
Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino in the 15th Congress — is earnestly sought.

fesentative, Kabataan Party-list


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS.
‘Second Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 4929

Introduced by Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry L. Ridon

ANACT
DECLARING AS UNLAWFUL ANY GOVERNMENT PROJECT TO BE NAMED
OR IDENTIFIED AFTER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER PERSONS:
WHOSE NAME OR IDENTITY MAY IN ANY MANNER BE ASSOCIATED WITH
SAID OFFICIALS

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

SECTION 1. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be unlawtul for any government project
to be named or identified after any government official or other persons whose identity
may in any manner be associated with said government official, except those as may
be determined by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) in
accordance with law or its duly issued guidelines or regulations.

SECTION 2. Penalty. ~ The penalty of one (1) year imprisonment and a fine of
Php100,000.00 to Php1,000,000.00 shall be imposed upon any person who violates
the provisions of this Act. The determination of the amount of fine imposed herein shall
be dependent on the amount of the government project concerned.

A second violation, however, shall in addition to the above penalty of imprisonment
and fine, subject the offender to suffer absolute perpetual disqualification to hold office.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Government Procurement Policy Board in coordination

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with the NHCP shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to effectively
carry out the provision of this Act.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
of unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid and subsisting

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, proclamations and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed
accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clouse. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or at least three (3) newspapers of national
circulation.

Approved,