TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -8 P5:26 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No._ 254 Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT PENALIZING SELECTIVE, DISCRETIONARY, AND DISCRIMINATORY ACTS IN THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution provides that public
office is public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. Despite this, it is a reality for Filipinos to experience selective, discretionary, and discriminatory acts from government employees in the delivery of social protection programs. This representation received several complaints that some government employees select and prioritize beneficiaries of social protection programs based on personal considerations which is against the principle of transparency and accountability. This bill seeks to penalize selective, discretionary, and discriminatory acts committed by government employees in the
delivery of social protection programs to its beneficiaries, ensuring its fair and equitable distribution to qualified beneficiaries. In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly sought. ERWIN TULFO
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL. -8 75:26 First Regular Session 25" SENATE Senate Bill No. 254 Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT PENALIZING SELECTIVE, DISCRETIONARY, AND DISCRIMINATORY ACTS IN THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS 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 "Anti-
Discrimination in the Delivery of Social Protection Programs Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy
of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) Discrimination refers to any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference which has the effect of nullifying or impairing the access to social protection programs; and (b) Social Protection Programs refers to various government programs aimed at ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable groups have access to essential services and opportunities, which shall include
1 but not limited to financial assistance, medical assistance, livelihood 2 programs, and other relief assistance programs.
SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all government
employees, whether acting alone or in conspiracy with private persons, in the performance of or in connection to the delivery of cash grants, food stubs, livelihood or relief packages, and/or other social protection programs of the government.
SEC. 5. Prohibition on Selective, Discretionary, or
Discriminatory Acts in the Delivery of Social Protection Programs. - 12 It shall be unlawful for any government employee, whether acting alone or in conspiracy with private persons, who by act or omission, directly or indirectly: a) Distributes or assists in the distribution of cash grants, food stubs, livelihood or relief packages, or other assistance programs to persons other than the qualified beneficiaries; b) Gives priority to or directs another to prioritize their relatives by affinity or consanguinity within the third degree, or other qualified beneficiaries; or c) Excludes qualified beneficiaries to receive assistance programs.
SEC. 6. Penalties. - Any violation of this Act shall be punished
with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this
Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances,
2 rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 3 Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. 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, -