Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Brit Rayo) Som *

House Bill No, 4783

INTRODUCED BY HON. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Universally understood as the use of public office for personal gain or benefit,
corruption may be committed by an official alone or with the involvement of a second

s all over the

party.' Corruption is a pervasive and universal malady afflicting coun
world, It is anathema to efforts of poverty alleviation and degrades the economic and
socio-political structure of a country. Corruption is certainly a resilient impediment that
goes against the tide of development of any country aftlicted with it, Now more than ever,
the issue of corruption plays a central role in politics as it is a difficulty that confronts

every nation, whether developed, developing, or in transition?

In alll the existing anti-corruption laws in the country, it is Republic Act No. 6713
that is all encompassing in making it clear that corruption is not acceptable in society by
providing ethical standards by which every public official and employee must comply,
and by providing a system of rewards that would motivate public officials and employees
to do well in the performance of their functions. But in the changing times, a legislative
act passed upon in 1989, or more than twenty (20) years ago, would require updating to
adopt to current situations in public administration, and to keep abreast with international
agreements that the country has entered into, one of which is the United Nations

Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).4

An evaluation of the implementation of R.A. No. 6713 indicates specific areas of

improvement, which include among others, the definition of “public official,” provisions

"Min, U. “Comiption: Causes, Consequences, and Cures, “AssPasife Development Journal, no. 2 (200)-33-88,
Kliaira’ Reber, “Itecrtional Cooperation Against Corupton,” Fiatee and Develops! 1998),

bnpstunrw.imtorgleternl pbs tendd9980shlteard dr

*Raitiedby the Pilippins Sena on November 8, 2006,


on the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), system of rewards and
incentives, and penalties imposed for violations of its provisions. With these areas
identified, the herein proposed amendments specifically addresses the gap on the
coverage of the law by broadening the definition of the term “public servant” and

ensuring more transparency in government,

Finally, to be a more meaningful anti-corruption legislation, the amendments also
include: 1) further institutionalization of the system of rewards and incentives; 2)
provision on rewards and protection to anyone who blow the whistle against corrupt
practices; 3) shifting the burden of proof; 4) increasing the prescribed penalties; and 5)
establishing cooperation and collaboration with the public and civil society groups in the

monitoring and implementation of the law.

In view of these reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

EVELINA G. ESCUDERO
Representative
1* District, Sorsogon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
At Regpded

House Bill No, _ 4? 83

INTRODUCED BY HON. EVELINA G. ESCUDERO

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL
STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS

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 "Enhanced Code of Conduct and

Ethical Standards for Public Servants."

Section 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is the policy of the State to promote a high
standard of ethi

s in public service. Public servants shall at all times be accountable to

the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity,

competence, and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold

public interest over personal interest.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term:

(a) "Conflict of interest” arises when a public servant is a member of a board, an
officer, or a substantial stockholder of a private corporation or owner or has a
substantial interest in a business, and the interest of such corporation or business,
or his rights or duties therein, may be opposed to or affected by the faithful

performance of servant duty.

(b) “Corruption” is understood as the use of public office for personal gains

which include but is not limited to bribery, extortion, fraud, embezzlement,


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nepotism, cronyism, appropriations of public assets and properties for

private use and influence peddling.

(c) "Divestment" is the transfer of title or disposal of interest in property by
voluntarily, completely and actually depriving or dispossessing oneself of his
right or title to it in favor of a person or persons other than his spouse and

relatives as defined in this Act.

(d) "Family of public servants" means their spouses and children, or

partners regardless of legal status,

(©) "Gift" refers to a thing or a right to dispose of gratuitously, or any act or
liberality, in favor of another who accepts it, and shall include a simulated sale or
an ostensibly onerous disposition thereof. It shall not include an unsolicited gift of

nominal or i

significant value not given in anticipation of, or in exchange for, a

favor from a public servant
(Q) "Government" includes the National Government, the local governments, and
all other instrumentalities, agencies or branches of the Republic of the Philippines

including government-owned or controlled corporations, and their subsidiaries.

(g) “Honorary Capacity” shall mean holding a government position or office

as an honor and without payment or compensation of any form.

(h) “Lavish Lifestyle” shall mean

a manner characterized by

extravagance and profusion

( "Loan" covers both simple loan and commodatum as well as guarantees,

financing arrangements or accommodations intended to ensure its approval,

G) "Person" includes natural and juridical persons unless the context indicates

otherwise.

(k) "Public Servant" includes any person holding or performing a public

function in the legislative, executive, administrative or judicial office in the
government, regardless of status of employment or engagement, and whether

or not they receive compensation, except foreign nationals designated as


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honorary consuls. Provided that services rendered of those engaged by

contract of service or job order shall not be considered government service.

(I) "Receiving any gift” includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly, a gift

from a person other than a member of his family or relative as defined in this Act,
even on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if
the value of the gift is neither nominal nor insignificant, or the gift is given in

anticipation of, or in exchange for, a favor.

(m) "Relatives" refers to any and all persons related to a public servant within the

fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, including bilas, inso and balae.

(n) “Retaliation” shall mean the dismissal, suspension, demotion or any other
adverse action in terms or conditions of employment by an agency, board,
public employer, head of department, appointing authority, or any superior
against a public servant for disclosing any corrupt activity or any violation of

or non-compliance with a law, rule, or regulation.

(0) "Substantial stockholder" means any person who owns, directly or indirectly,
shares of stock sufficient to elect a director of a corporation, This term shall also

apply to the parties to a voting trust.

Section 4. Norms of Conduct of Public Servants. - (A) Every public servant shall observe

the following as standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of servant

duties:

(a) Commitment to public interest. - Public servants shall always uphold the
public interest over and above personal interest. All government resources and
powers of their respective offices must be employed and used efficiently,
effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public

funds and revenues.

(b) Professionalism. - Public servants shall perform and discharge their duties
with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill
They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty. They
shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or

peddlers of undue patronage.


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(©) Justness and sincerity. - Public servants shall remain true to the people at all
times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against
anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall at all times
respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good
morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public
interest. They shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office
to their relatives whether by consanguinity or affinity except with respect to
appointments of such relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as

members of their personal staff whose terms are coterminous with theirs,

(d) Political neutrality. - Public servants shall provide service to everyone without

unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.

(e) Responsiveness to the public. - Public servants shall extend prompt, courteous,
and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when
required by the public interest, public servants shall provide information of their

policies and procedures in clear and understandable language, e:

sure openness of

information, public consultations and hearings whenever appropriate, encourage
suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules and procedures, avoid red tape
and develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions

prevailing in the country, especially in the depressed rural and urban areas.

(f) Nationalism and patriotism. - Public servants shall at all times be loyal to the
Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the use of locally produced goods,
resources and technology and encourage appreciation and pride of country and
people. They shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against

foreign intrusion.

(g) Commitment to democracy. - Public servants shall commit themselves to the
democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public accountability,
and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military. They
shall at all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to

persons or party.


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(h) Simple living. - Public servants and their families shall lead modest lives
appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or

ostentatious display of wealth in any form.

(B) The Civil Service Commission shall adopt positive measures to promote (1)
observance of these standards including the dissemination of information programs and
workshops authorizing merit increases beyond regular progression steps, to a limited
number of public servants recognized by their office colleagues to be outstanding in their
observance of ethical standards; and (2) continuing research and experimentation on
measures which provide positive motivation to public servants in raising the general level

of observance of these standards.

Section 5. Duties of Public Servants, - In the performance of their duties, all public
servants are under obligation to:
(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. - All public servants shall, within fifteen
(15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other
means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the
action taken on the request.
(b) Submit annual performance reports. - All heads or other responsible officers
of offices and agencies of the government and of government-owned or controlled
corporations shall, within forty-five (45) working days from the end of the year,
render a performance report of the agency or office or corporation concerned.

Such report shall be open and available to the public within regular office hours.

(©) Process documents and papers expeditiously. - All servant papers and
documents must be processed and completed within a reasonable time from the
preparation thereof and must contain, as far as practicable, not more than three (3)
signatories therein. In the absence of duly authorized signatories, the servant next-
in-rank or officer in charge shall sign for and in their behalt.

(@) Act immediately on the public's personal transactions. - All public servants
must attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of the services of their offices
and must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously.

() Make documents accessible to the public, - All public documents must be
made accessible to, and readily available for inspection by, the public within

reasonable working hours.


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ectoral anti-corruption
: Chairman of the Civil

Service Commission (CSC) and the Ombudsman as the Committee Heads,

Chairperson of the Commission on Audit, one representative from any recognized

government employee association, and one Civil Society Organization

representative to be appointed by the President, as members,

It shall be the task of the CCC to:

1, Develop and implement or maintain effective, coordinated anti-corruption

policies that promote the participation of society and reflect the principles of
the rule of law, proper management of public affairs and public property,

integrity, transparency and accountability.

2.

corruption.

stablish and promote effective practices aimed at the prevention of

3. Evaluate periodically relevant legal instruments and administrative

measures with a view to determining their adequacy to prevent and fight

corru

4, To act as primary body that will collaborate with relevant international

and regional organizations in promoting and developing anti-corruption

policies and practices.
5. Promulgate rules and administer the system of incentives and rewards
established in this Act.

6. Promulgate policies, rules and regulations and perform such other actions

to carry out these functions.

Section 7. System of Incentives and Rewards. - A system of annual incentives and
rewards is hereby established in order to motivate and inspire public servants to

uphold the highest standards of ethics.


The following awards categories shall be conferred to public service exemplars with

the corresponding rewards and incentives:

(a) Awards for Outstanding Work Performance

a.l Presidential or Lingkod Bayan Award - the awardee/s shall receive a
gold-gilded medallion and a plaque containing the citation of the President of
the Republic of the Philippines, cash reward and other forms of rewards and

incentives as may be determined by the Committee,

a2 CSC or Pagasa Award - the awardee/s shall receive a gold-gilded
medallion, a plaque containing the citation and signature of the Chairperson
of the CSC provided under Section 6 (b) of the Omnibus Rules Implementing
Book V of Executive Order No, 292, and a cash reward as may be
determined by the Committee.

(b) Award for Exemplary and Ethical Behavior

b.1 Outstanding Public Servants Award or Dangal ng Bayan Award — the
awardee/s shall receive a trophy , a cash reward and other forms of rewards

and incentives provided for in the following paragraph of this Act.

The conferment of awards shall take into account, among other things, the
following: the years of service and the quality and consistency of performance, the
obscurity of the position, the level of salary, the unique and exemplary quality of a

certain achievement, and the risks or temptations inherent in the work.

Other Incentives and rewards may also be given in the form of bonuses, citations,

directorships in government-owned or controlled corporations, local and foreign

scholarship grants, paid vacations and the like. Presidential Lingkod Bayan and
Dangal ng Bayan awardees shall likewise be automatically promoted to the next
higher position with the commensurate salary suitable fo their qualifications. In case
there is no next higher position or it is not vacant, said position shall be included in

the budget of the office in the next General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. - In addition to acts and omissions of public

servants now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the following shall


246 constitute prohibited acts and transactions of any public servant and are hereby declared

247 to be unlawful:

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249 (a) Financial and material interest. - Public servants shall not, directly or indirectly,
250 have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of
251 their office.

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253 (b) Outside employment and other activities related thereto. - Public servants
254 during their incumbency shall not:

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256 (1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee,
257 consultant, counsel, broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise
258 regulated, supervised or licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by
259 law;

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261 (2) Engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the
262 Constitution or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to
263 conflict with their official functions; or

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265 (3) Recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a
266 regular or pending servant transaction with their office,

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268 ‘These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after
269 resignation, retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of
270 subparagraph (b) (2) above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his
271 profession in connection with any matter before the office he used to be with, in
272 which case the one-year prohibition shall likewise apply.

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274 The prohibition on outside employment shall not apply to those working under
275 job orders or contracts of service.

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277 (c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. - Public servants shall
278 not use or divulge, confidential or classified information servantly known to them
279 by reason of their office and not made available to the public, either:

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(1) To further their private interests, or give undue advantage to anyone; or

(2) To prejudice the public interest.

(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public servants shall 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 servant 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 servant of a gift of nominal

value tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy;

(ii) The acceptance by a publi

servant of a gift in the nature of a scholarship
or fellowship grant or medical treatment; or

(iii) The acceptance by a public servant of travel grants or expenses for
travel taking place entirely outside the Philippine (such as allowances,
transportation, food, and lodging) of more than nominal value if such
acceptance is appropriate or consistent with the interests of the Philippines,

and permitted by the head of office, branch or agency to which he belongs.

The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the

purpose of this subsection, including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict or prohibit any educational, scientific or

cultural exchange programs subject to national security requirements.

Section 9. Statements and Disclosure. - Public servants have an obligation to accomplish
and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets,

liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests.

Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Financial Disclosure. - All public servants,
except those who serve in an honorary capacity, shall file under oath their Statement of
Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and a Disclosure of Business Interests and Financial
Connections and those of their spouses and children or partners, regardless of their legal

status.


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The SALN shall contain information on the following:

(a) personal details including that of spouse and children;

(b) real property, its improvements, acquisition costs, assessed value and current

fair market value;

(c) personal property and acquisition cost;

(4) all other assets such as, cash on hand or in banks, whether in local or foreign
currency, stocks, bonds and investments, and the like;

(©) liabilities, and;

(f) all business interests and financial connections.

The SALN shall be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman:
(a) within thirty (30) days after assumption of office;
(b) on or before April 30, of every year thereafter; and
(c) 30 days before the effectivity date of separation from the service.

The Ombudsman, C

and COA is hereby empowered to obtain, at any time, all

documents as may show the declarant's assets, liabilities, net worth, and business
interests and financial connections, commencing from the time the declarant was
employed or engaged by the government, from all agencies, banks, and financial

institutions, whether private or public.

Husband and wife who are both public servants may file the required statements jointly

or separately.

(B) Identification and disclosure of relatives. - It shall be the duty of every public servant
to identify and disclose, to the best of ones knowledge and information, relatives in the
Government in the form, manner and frequency prescribed by the Civil Service

Commission.
(C) Accessibility of documents. - (1) Any and all statements filed under this Act, shall be
made available for inspection during working hours and subject only to reasonable

conditions to be determined by the Code of Conduct Committee.

(2) Such statements shall be made available for copying or reproduction after ten (10)

working days from the time they are filed as required by law.

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(3) Any person requesting a copy of a statement shall be required to pay a reasonable fee
to cover the cost of reproduction and mailing of such statement, as well as the cost of

certification.

(4) Any statement filed under this Act shall be available to the public for a period of ten
(10) years after receipt of the statement. After such period, the statement may be disposed

unless needed in an ongoing investigation

In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the
Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other
constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the
declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the most accessible and convenient

medium (e.g. website).

(D) Prohibited acts. - It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use any statement
filed under this Act for:

(a) any purpose contrary to morals or public policy; or

(6) any commercial purpose other than by news and communications media for

dissemination to the general public.

Section 10. Divestment. - A public servant shall avoid conflicts of interest at all
times. When a conflict of interest arises, he shall resign from his position in any

private busine

enterprise within thirty (30) days from his assumption of office

and/or divest himself of hi

hareholdings or interest within sixty (60) days from

such assumption.

The same rule shall apply where the public servant is a partner in a partnership.

Section 11. Review and Compliance Procedure in the Filing and Submission of the
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and Disclosure of Financial and

Business Interests. —

a. All public servants shall file under oath their Statement of Assets,
Liabi

ies and Net Worth and Disclosure of Financial and Business
Interests with their respective Chief/Head of Personnel/Administrative

Division/Unit or Human Resource Management Office:

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b.

Within thirty (30) days after assumption of office;

ii, On or before April 30, of every year thereafter;

‘Thirty (30) days before the effectivity date of separation from the

service.

All public servants are strictly required to fill in all applicable

information and make a true and detailed statement in their Statement of

Assets, bili and Net Worth and Disclosure of Financial and

Business Interests.

Upon receiving their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and

Disclosure of Financial and Business Interests, the Chief/Head of

tive Division/Unit or Human — Resource

Personnel/Admi
Management Office shall forward the same to the Review and

Compliance Committee.

Bach office/agency shall have a Review and Compliance Committee,

which shall be composed of one (1) Chairman and two (2) members.

The Review and Compliance Committee shall be designated and
authorized by the head of agency to receive the Statement of Assets,

Liabilities and Net Worth and Disclosure of Finan and Business

Interests and to evaluate if the same has been submitted on time,

complete and in proper form.

The Review and Compliance Committee shall prepare a list of the
following public servants, in alphabetical order, to the head of agency,
copy furnished the Civil Service Commission (Office of the Ombudsman),

on or before May 15 of every year:

i, Those who filed their $

LNs with complete data;
ii, ‘Those who filed their SALNs but with incomplete data; and
iii, Those who did not file their SALNs.

Withii

five (5) days from receipt of the aforementioned lists, it shall be
the ministerial duty of the head of agency to issue an order requiring
those who have incomplete data in their SALNs to correct/supply the
desired information and those who did not file/submit their SALNs to
comply within a non-extendible period of thirty (30) days from receipt of

said order.

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Assets and/or properties acquired, donated or transferred in the name of
the declarant for a particular year, but were not declared on one’s SALN
for that year, as the same came to one’s knowledge only after such filing,
correction and/or submission, must be declared or reflected in the

declarant’s next or succeeding SALN.

h. Failure of public servant to correct/submit one’s SALN in accordance
with the procedure and within the given period pursuant to the directive
in paragraph g hereof shall be a ground for disciplinary action and meted

with the following penalties:

First Offense - Suspension of one (1) month and one (1)

day to six (6) months

Second Offense —- Dismissal from the service

Public servants who fail to comply within the thirty (30) day period
required under paragraph g hereof or who submit their SALNs beyond
the said period shall be considered as not having filed their SALNs, and
shall be made liable for the offense of Failure to File SALN with a
penalty of suspension of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months
for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second

offense.

Heads of agencies/offices who fail to comply with the provisions of Section
10 hereof, shall be liable for Simple Neglect of Duty, which shall be
punishable by suspension of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6)
months for the first offense, and dismissal from the service for the second

offense.

i, The Review and Compliance Committee shall transmit all original copies
of the SALNs received on or before June 30 of every year to the Office of

the Ombudsman.

A public servant is presumed to be engaged in corrupt act
he/she is li

ities or practices if

ing in a lavish lifestyle and/or there is gross disproportion of assets to

income.

Section 12. Reward and Protection to Whistleblower - Any person who exposes

wrongdoings or corruption against another public servant, agency, board or entity

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shall: 1) be protected from any retaliation; 2) be rewarded with a reasonable
portion (maximum of 1/2) of the amount recovered in the exposed corrupt practice
or activity. For this purpose, the identity of the whistleblower shall not be

unreasonably disclosed.

To qualify for the protection, and reward, the whistleblower must provide
truthful and sufficient information for the commencement of an inquiry or filing of

a case before any court, body or tribunal,

‘Any person who is found guilty to have applied retaliation against a
whistleblower public servant shall suffer a penalty of imprisonment of six years and

one day to twelve years.

Section 13. Penalties. - (a) Any public servant, regardless of whether or not he holds

office or employment in a casual, temporary, holdover, permanent or regular capacity,
committing any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine or suspension not
exceeding one (1) year or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due
notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency. If the violation is punishable by a
heavier penalty under another law, he shall be prosecuted under the latter statute.
Violations of Sections 7, 8 or 9 of this Act shall be punishable with imprisonment not

exceeding twelve (12) years, or a fine to be fixed in the rules and regulations of this

Act, or both, and perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

(b) Any violation hereof proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be sufficient

se for removal or dismissal of a public servant, even if no criminal prosecution is

instituted against him.

(6) Private individuals who participate in conspiracy as co-principals, accomplices or
accessories, with public servants, in violation of this Act, shall be subject to the same

penal liabilities as the public servants and shall be tried jointly with them.

(d) The public servant concerned may bring an action against any person who obtains or
uses a report for any purpose prohibited by Section 8 (D) of this Act. The Court in which
such action is brought may assess against such person a penalty in any amount not to
exceed twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000). If another sanction hereunder or under any

other law is heavier, the latter shall apply.

Section 14. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations, Administration and Enforcement of

this Act. - The Civil Service Commission and the Ombudsman shall promulgate the rules

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501

510
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and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act within one (1) year from
date of promulgation. The CSC shall have the primary and exclusive jurisdiction and
responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this Act. It shall transmit all
cases for prosecution arising from violations of this Act to the proper authorities for
appropriate action: Provided, however, that it may institute such administrative actions

and disciplinary measures as may be warranted in accordance with law.

Section 15. Appropriations. - The sum necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be taken from the appropriations of the Civil Service Commission. Thereafter,
such sum as may be needed for its continued implementation shall be included in the

annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or
the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected
by such declaration.

Section 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees and orders or parts thereof inconsistent
herewith, are deemed repealed or modified accordingly, unless the same provide for a
heavier penalty.

Section 18. Effectivity.- ‘This Act shall take effect after thirty (30) days following the

completion of its publication in the Servant Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation,

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