Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon tity

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

3649

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Carlo V. Lopez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution provides that the Philippines is a democratic and republican state
and sovereignty resides in the people from whom all government authority emanates. (Sec.
1, Art. I).

Inevitably, the people have to participate in the running of government affairs. They
have to participate intelligently and productively. But to be able to do this, they must be
provided with the necessary and current information which shail serve as the basis for
whatever action they might want to take. They therefore have the right to know and be
informed of the truth.

Correspondingly, the government has the responsibility to provide the 2eople witn
accurate and relevant information on matters of public concern. Thus, Section 24 of Article
Il of the Constitutions provides “The State recognizes the vital role of communication and
information in nation building.” Section 27 of the said Article provides that “The State shall
maintain honesty and integrity in the public service xxx.” Section 28 of the same Article
states that “Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and
implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest”,
And finally, Section 1 of Article XI states that “Public office is a public trust. Public officers
and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost
responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, xxx.”

Simply stated, the Constitution mandates all public servants whether elected or
appointed, to serve the people with dedication and towards this end to observe honesty,
openness and transparency in all their dealings with the people.

Nevertheless, a mere mandate is not enough. Without any law punishing the
malefactors, the mandate will just be like an empty advice.


Hence, the need to enact a law that will punish any/government official or empioyee

who shall make any untruthful statement in pul

November 3, 2010


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

3649

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Carlo V. Lopez

AN ACT
MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE TO (MAKE ANY
UNTRUTHFUL STATEMENT IN PUBLIC AND PENALIZING VIOLATIONS THEREFOR,

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

SECTION 1, Statement of Policy ~ It is the policy of the government, in line with
the principle that a public office is a public trust, to require public officers and empioyees to
observe honesty, openness and transparency in their dealings with the people ard to punish
anyone of them who shall make untruthful statement in public.

SECTION 2. it shall be unlawful for. any public officer or employee of any
government office, agency, or instrumentality, including government owned or controlled
corporation, who, by word of mouth or through the use of printed materials and other
instrument or means of communications to willfully make any untruthful statement in
public knowing the same to be false, concerning any matter of public concern.

SECTION 3. Any violations of the provisions of this Act shall be punished by an
imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than five years plus a disqualification

to hold a public office.

SECTION 4. All laws, decrees or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect immediately.

Approved.