Republic Act No. 9485: Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007

Republic Act No. 9485:Republic Act No. 9485:

Anti-Red Anti-Red Tape Tape

Act of 2007Act of 2007

Republic Act No. 9485“Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007”

An Act to Improve Efficiency in the Delivery of Government Service to the Public by Reducing Bureaucratic Red Tape, Preventing Graft and Corruption, and Providing Penalties Therefore

Declaration of PolicyDeclaration of Policy“It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property as well as to establish effective practices aimed at the prevention of graft and corruption in government. Towards this end, the State shall maintain honesty and responsibility among its public officials and employees, and shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each agency with regard to the manner of transacting with the public, which shall encompass a program for the adoption of simplified procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite transactions in government.”

CoverageCoverage

All government offices and agencies

Including local government units

Government-owned or-controlled corporations that provide FRONTLINE SERVICES

Excludes those performing judicial, quasi-judicial and legislative functions – but the frontline services of these agencies are deemed included

Sec. 3, RA 9485 / Rule I, IRR

Signatories

If there is only one official next-in-rank, he/she shall automatically be the signatory

If there are 2 or more NIR, the appropriate office order shall prescribe the order of priority

If there is no official NIR present and available, the head of the department, office or agency shall designate an OIC from among those next lower in rank in the same organizational unit

The head of office shall prescribe the rules on the proper authority to sign in the absence of the regular signatory, as follows:

(Sec. 3, Rule III, IRR)Salient Features

Salient Features

Required preparation of a Citizen’s Charter

Distinguished “Simple” and “Complex” Transactions

Criminalizes Fixing

Limits number of signatories to Five (5)

Agency performance to be scrutinized through the Report Card Survey

Grant of Immunity

SIMPLE TRANSACTIONS – 5 days Requests or applications which only

require ministerial actions Those that present only inconsequential

issues for resolution by a public official or employee

COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS – 10 days Requests or applications which

necessitate the use of discretion in the resolution of complicated issues

“Action” - refers to the written approval or disapproval made by a govt office or agency on the application or request submitted by a client for processing (Sec. 4d, RA 9485)

Acceptance of Applications and Requests

Accessing Frontline Services (Sec. 8, RA 9485)

All employees shall accept written applications/ requests submitted by clients

Responsible employee shall acknowledge receipt of application/request 

Receiving employee shall perform a preliminary assessment of the request and determine the sufficiency of submitted requirements for a request/application

All applications/requests shall be acted upon within the period prescribed under the Citizen’s Charter -- five (5) days for simple transactions and ten (10) days for complex transactions

No application or request shall be returned to the client without appropriate action

In case an application or request is disapproved, the officer or employee who rendered the decision shall send a formal notice to the client within five (5) working days from the receipt of the request/application, stating the reason for the disapproval and a list of specific requirement/s which the client failed to submit

Any denial of request for access to government service shall be fully explained in writing

Limitation on signatories – up to five (5)

Accessing Frontline Services (Section 8)

Frontline service even during lunch break and after regular working hours;

Wearing of official identification card when transacting with public;

Establishment of public assistance/complaints desk.

Accessing Frontline Services (Section 8)

To be manned by an officer/employee knowledgeable on frontline services – to be available for consultation and advice at all times (Sec. 5, Rule VI, IRR);

The desk shall be attended to even during breaktime;

Institute hotline numbers, SMS, ICT, one-stop shops or walk-in service counters, other mechanisms

Failure to act on an application/request for renewal of a license, permit or authority subject for renewal within the prescribed period shall automatically extend license until a resolution is rendered on the application

No automatic extension or renewal shall apply when the permit, license or authority covers activities which pose danger to public health, public safety, public morals or to public policy including, but not limited to, natural resource extraction activities

Automatic Extension of Automatic Extension of Permits/LicensesPermits/Licenses (Sec. 9, RA 9485 /

Sec. 6, Rule VI, IRR)

Grave Offenses

Light Offenses

Refusal to accept applications/requests

Failure to act on application/requests

Failure to attend to clients Failure to render frontline

services Failure to give the client a

written notice of disapproval Imposition of additional

irrelevant requirements other than those listed in the first notice

Disciplinary Action

Fixing and/or collusion with fixers in consideration of economic and/or gain or advantage

1st Offense: 30 days suspension and mandatory attendance in

Values Orientation

Program

2nd Offense: 3 months

suspension3rd Offense:

Dismissal and perpetual

disqualification

1st Offense: Dismissal and

perpetual disqualificati

on

“Irrelevant Requirements” – Any document or performance of an act not directly material to the resolution of the issues raised in the request or needed in the application submitted by the client

The CSC and the Office of the Ombudsman shall promulgate a Values Orientation Program which shall include anti-red tape and anti-fixing workshops suitable for the purpose (Sec. 1, Rule VIII, IRR)

Criminal Liability for Fixers (Section 12)

In addition to the liability for grave offenses, fixers shall suffer the penalty of: Imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years or Fine of P20,000 to P200,000 or Both

FIXERS [Section 4 (g), R.A. No. 9485]

Refers to any individual whether or not officially involved in the operation of a government office or agency who has access to people working therein, and whether or not in collusion with them, facilitates speedy completion of transactions for pecuniary gain or any other advantage or consideration

Presidential Appointees

Administrative Jurisdiction (Sec. 4, Rule VIII, IRR)

Civil Service Commission (CSC); and Office of the Ombudsman

Non-Presidential Appointees

Office of the Ombudsman; and Presidential Anti-Graft Commission

(PAGC)

Any public official/employee or person having been charged with another under the Act and who voluntarily gives information pertaining to an investigation or who willingly testifies therefor, shall be exempt from prosecution in the case/s where his/her information and testimony are given

The discharge of co-respondent/accused to be a witness may be granted and directed by the investigating body or court upon the application or petition of any of the respondent/accused-informant and before the termination of the investigation

Immunity Discharge of Co-Respondent/ Accused to be a Witness(Section 15)

Effectivity

Published in the Official Gazette on 22 October 2007

The IRR was published in the Philippine Star on 21 August 2008 and took effect on 05 September 2008

Thank you!