REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
4519

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, enjoins all public servants to respond or act
promptly on letters, telegrams or other means of communication sent by the public.

The law gives such officials a period of fifteen (15) working days within which to respond or
take action on the request. However, not a few government officials are remiss in this
obligation whether due to oversight or deliberate failure. In most instances, it takes an
unreasonably long time for a response to come along.

‘The failure to respond may not necessarily be a conscious and deliberate act to ignore a letter
request because some officials are really mired in work. Yet the wisdom of the law is beyond
cavil. Public office is a public trust, and all government officials and employees must, at all
times, be accountable to the people. Certainly, a citizen, however ordinary, deserves nothing
less than public service discharged with utmost responsibility, integrity and efficiency.

It is within this context that this measure is being proposed. This bill provides stiffer penalties

for the failure of public officials to respond or act on letters and other communications from
the public if only to put more teeth to the law.

In view of the foregoing, immediatepassage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ih cane rill

Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 4519

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN II

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR STIFFER PENALTIES AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND
EMPLOYEES WHO REFUSE OR NEGLECT TO ACT PROMPTLY ON THE
PUBLIC'S PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS AS
REQUIRED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6713, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 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 Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Prompt Action on Letters and Requests. - All public officials and
employees shall, as a great rule, respond to letters, telegrams, or other means of
communication sent by the public within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of Republic Act. No. 6713, otherwise known as
the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees". The reply
‘must contain the action taken on the request.

SEC. 2. Exceptions. - In cases where the subject matter of the written requests,
petitions or motions sent by means of letters, telegrams or the like, is non-routine or the
issues involved are not simple or ordinary or where the action desired cannot be acted upon in
the ordinary course of business of the department or agency concerned, action on such cases
shall be made in accordance with the procedures prescribed under Rule VI, Section 3 of the
Implementing Rules of R.A. 6713 promulgated by the Civil Service Commission.

SEC. 3. Other Duties. - All public officials and employees are likewise under
obligation to see to it that all official papers and documents are processed and completed
within a reasonable time from the preparation thereof and that public documents are made
accessible to and readily available for inspection by the public within reasonable working
hours. In the discharge of the abovementioned duties and responsibilities, public officials and
‘employees shall be guided by the procedures prescribed under Rule VI, Section 4 to 7 of the
Implementing Rules of R.A. 6713 referred to in the preceding section.

SEC. 4. Penalties.- Any public official or employee, regardless of whether or not he
holds office or employment in a casual, temporary, hold-over, permanent or regular capacity,
who commits any violation of this Act shall, after due notice and hearing by the appropriate
body or agency, be punished with a fine of not less than the equivalent of three (3) months

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salary but not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months salary or suspension for a period of
not iess than six (6) months but not exceeding one (1) year, or removal from office,
depending upon the gravity of the offense and taking into consideration other aggravating
factors, such as recidivism on the part of the respondent officials or employee.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause.- The provisions of Section 11 of R.A. 6713, other laws,
decrees, orders, rules or regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith, are repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,