Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines suffers from widespread corruption since the Spanish colonial time. According 
to GAN Integrity’s Philippine Corruption Report updated in May 2020, the country’s many 
incidents of corruption and crimes are rampant throughout the state’s judicial system, police 
service, public services, land administration, and natural resources. In 2013, the Office of the 
Ombudsman conducted a survey that showed corruption as a reason for poverty in the country 
relating to the 2001 World Bank study that fighting corruption helps in reducing poverty.  
In 1989, Republic Act 6713 was approved in order to preserve the time-honored principle of 
public office being a public trust. This law exists as a standard every public official or employee 
should aspire for—a clean and honest service to the people. However, the law must also be 
able to adapt to the changing political landscape. 
This bill aims to combat the corruption that plagues public institutions by creating a multi-
sectoral anti-corruption committee to develop and implement policies. The bill also proposes 
provisions such as the institutionalization of the existing awards conferred to public servants, 
such as the “Outstanding Public Servants Award” and the “Lingkod Bayan Award”, as well as 
protection of whistleblowers and rewarding thereof, in the hopes of inspiring public servants 
to serve with more dignity and nobility. 
This legislation seeks to further strengthen the standards to which public officials must comply 
through a stricter review and compliance procedure. In the hopes of ensuring that our 
government is up to standards with international agreements, such as the United Nations 
Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to hoist the existing Code of Conduct that public 
servants currently adhere to. 
The approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
August 23, 2022
2:00 pm
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2
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
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 Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short 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 ethics 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 upload 
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 and 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, nepotism,
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cronyism, appropriations of public assets and properties for private use and 
influences 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. 
 
(e) 
“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 insignificant value not given in anticipation of, or in exchange for, a 
favor from a public servant. 
 
(f) 
“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 living in a manner characterized by extravagance 
and profusion. 
 
(i) 
“Loan” covers both simple loan and commodatum as well as guarantees, 
financing arrangement or accommodations intended to ensure its approval. 
 
(j) 
“Person” includes natural and juridical persons unless the context indicates 
otherwise. 
 


 
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(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 honorary consuls. 
Provided that services rendered of those engaged by contract of service or job 
order shall not be considered government service. 
 
(l) 
“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. 
 
(o) 
“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 Servant. –  
(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. 


 
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(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. 
 
(c) 
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 acts contrary to law, 
good morals, good customs, public policy, pulic 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 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, ensure 
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 


 
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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 time uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to 
country above loyalty to persons or party. 
 
(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 ostentations 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. 
 


 
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(c) 
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 fas 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 behalf. 
 
(d) 
Act immediately on the public’s personal transaction. – 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. 
 
(e) 
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. 
 
Section 6. Code of Conduct Committee (CCC). A multi-sectoral anti-corruption 
committee is hereby created composed of the following: 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 on 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. 
Establish and promote effective practices aimed at the prevention of 
corruption. 
 
3. 
Evaluate periodically relevant legal instruments and administrative measures 
with a view to determining their adequacy to prevent and fight corruption. 
 


 
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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.1  Presidential or Lingkod Bayan Award – the awardee/s shall receive a gold-
glided 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. 
 
a.2  CSC or Pagasa Award – the awardee/s shall receive a gold-glided 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. 
 


 
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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. President Lingkod Bayan and Dangal 
ng Bayan awardees shall likewise be automatically promoted to the next higher 
position with the commensurate salary suitable to 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 
constitute prohibited acts and transactions of any public servant and are hereby 
declared to be unlawful: 
(a) 
Financial and material interest. – Public servants shall not, directly or indirectly 
have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval 
of their office. 
 
(b) 
Outside employment and other activities related thereto. – Public servants during 
their incumbency shall not: 
(1) 
Own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant, 
counsel, broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, 
supervised or licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law; 
 
(2) 
Engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the 
Constitution or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tent to 
conflict with their official functions; or 
 
(3) 
Recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a 
regular or pending servant transaction with their office. 
 


 
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These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after 
resignation, retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of 
subparagraph (b) (2) above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his 
profession in connection with any matter before the office he used to be with, in which 
case the one-year prohibition shall likewise apply. 
 
The prohibition on outside employment shall not apply to those working under 
job orders or contracts of service. 
 
(c) 
Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. – Public servants shall not 
use or divulge, confidential or classified information servantly known to them by 
reason of their office and not made available to the public, either: 
(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, 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 a gift of nominal value 
tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy; 
(ii)  The acceptance by a public servant of a gift in the nature of a scholarship 
or fellowship grant of medical treatment; or 
(iii)  The acceptance by a public servant of travel grants or expenses for travel 
taking place entirely outside the Philippines (such as allowances, 
transportation, food and lodging of more than nominal value if such 
acceptance is appropriate or consistent with the interest 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. 


 
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Nothing in this Act shall be constructed to restrict or prohibit any educational, 
scientific or cultural exchange programs subject to national security requirements. 
 
Section 9. 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. 
 
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 costs; 
(d) 
All other assets such as cash on hand or in banks, whether in local or 
foreign currency, stocks, bonds and investments, and the like; 
(e) 
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 service. 
 
The Ombudsman, CSC, 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. 
 


 
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(B) Identification and disclosure of relatives. – It shall be the duty of every public 
servant to identify and disclose, to the best of one’s 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. 
(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 
(b) 
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 
business enterprise within thirty (30) days from his assumption of office and/or divest 
himself of his shareholdings or interest within sixty (60) days from such assumption. 


 
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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 Interest. –  
a. 
All public servants shall file under oath their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and 
Net Worth and Disclosure of Financial and Business Interest with their respective 
Chief/Head of Personnel/Administrative Division/Unit or Human Resource 
Management Office: 
i. 
Within thirty (30) days after assumption of office; 
ii.    On or before April 30, of every year thereafter; 
iii.   Thirty (30) days before the effectivity date of separation from the service. 
 
b. 
All public servants are strictly required to fill in all applicable information and 
make a true and detailed statement in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and 
Net Worth and Disclosure of Financial and Business Interest. 
 
c. 
Upon receiving their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and 
Disclosure 
of 
Financial 
and 
Business 
Interests, 
the 
Chief/Head 
of 
Personnel/Administrative Division/Unit or Human Resources Management Office 
shall forward the same to the Review and Compliance Committee. 
 
d. 
Each office/agency shall have a Review and Compliance Committee, which shall 
be composed on one (1) Chairman and two (2) members. 
 
e. 
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 Financial and Business Interest and to evaluate if the same 
has been submitted on time, complete and in proper form. 
 
f. 
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 


 
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Civil Service Commission (Office of the Ombudsman), on or before May 15 of 
every year: 
i. 
Those who filed their SALNs with complete date; 
ii.    Those who filed their SALNs but with incomplete date; and 
iii.   Those who did not file their SALNs 
 
g. 
Within 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-extendable 
period of thirty (30) days from receipt of said order. Assets and/or properties 
acquired, donated or transferred in the names of the declarant for a particular 
year, but were not declared on one’s SALN for that year, as the same cam 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 ground for a disciplinary action and meted with the following 
penalties. 
a. 
First Offense – Suspension of one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) 
months 
b. 
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. 


 
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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 activities or practices if 
he/she is living 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 
shall: (1) be protected from any retaliation; (2) be rewarded with a reasonable portion 
(maximum of ½) 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 
statue. 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 regulation of this Act, or both, and perpetual disqualification to hold public 
office. 
 


 
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(b)  Any violation hereof proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be   
sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public servant, even if no criminal 
prosecution is instituted against him. 
 
(c)  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 of 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 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 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.  


 
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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 Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers 
of general circulation. 
 
Approved,