FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2170 
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
• 
The Filipino people have been witnesses to some, if not, all of the most 
controversial graft and corruption cases our history has ever encountered. On one 
hand, the cases for graft and corruption against public officials sprout here andfli·ere: 
Indeed, our government has been plagued with the graft and corruption disease since 
time immemorial. On the other hand, our lawmakers have been steadfast in finding 
solutions to this disease. We have quite a handful of laws specifically addressing this 
problem. 
It seems, however, that the graft and corruption disease is becoming more and 
more complicated as the methods for its commission diversifies. Moreover, the delivery 
of government service to the Filipino people has not gone unscathed. Public service has 
suffered as an effect of the graft and corrupt practices acts of our public officials. In 
particular, although preventive suspension is one of the more effective tools in the 
prosecution of a graft and corruption case, it has, in effect, prevented some of our public 
officials from performing their publicly mandate.d functions. We have seen that it has 
massively delayed the delivery of public service by the Executive and the Judicial 
Departments of our Government particularly the high-ranking officials. Certainly, public 
service has suffered as an effect of graft and corruption. Thus, the need to amend and 
update our anti-graft and corruption laws becomes obligatory. 


With this amendment, an exemption to definite high-ranking officials namely, the 
President, Vice-President, any public officer removable by impeachment, and Justices 
of the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court is created in order not to hamper the 
delivery of public service to the Filipino people. 
Hence, this Representation humbly asks the approval of this bill. 
;. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 2170 
~t,~,·l.::~> 
OFFICE 0' Tl-!;, SECRETjl.RV 
(t 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 13 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3019, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 3019 is hereby amended to read as 
2 
follows: 
3 
"Section 13. Suspension and Loss of Benefits. Any [incumbent] public 
4 
officer, EXCEPT THE PRESIDENT, THE VICE PRESIDENT, OR ANY PUBLIC 
5 
OFFICER WHO CAN BE REMOVED ONLY BY IMPEACHMENT MEMBERS 
6 
OF CONGRESS, AND JUSTICE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS AND THE 
7 
SUPREME COURT, against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid 
8 
information under [its] THIS Act or under the provisions of the REVISED Penal 
9 
Code on bribery is pending in' court, shall be suspended from office. Should [the 
10 
accused] HE/SHE be convicted by final judgment, HE/SHE shall lose all 
11 
retirement or gratuity benefits under any law, BUT IF HE/SHE IS ACQUITTED 
12 
HE/SHE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO REINSTATEMENT AND' TO THE 
13 
SALARIES AND BENEFITS,. which HE/SHE failed to receive during [his/her] 
14 
suspension, unless in the meantime administrative proceedings have been filed 
15 
against him/HER. 
16 
17 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance; executive 
, 
18 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
19 
with, the proviSions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
20 


• 
• 
1 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after the expiration of the 
2 
full term of all the members of Congress approving this Act and its complete publication 
3 
in the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
4 
5 
Approved, 
2