Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6650)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 6650 is to grant the franking privilege to Members of Congress to assist and expedite the conduct of their official businesses, activities, and duties.
Members of Congress are entitled to the franking privilege as granted by this law.
No, the franking privilege cannot be used for matters that are purely personal or politically partisan; it is only available for official congressional business.
Upon the death of a Member of Congress during his or her term, the surviving spouse is granted the same privilege for a period of six months after the demise, limited to nonpolitical correspondence related to the death of the Member.
All official mail must be sealed in an official envelope indicating the name of the Member of Congress, with the Official Seal of the Republic of the Philippines or Congress on the left-hand corner and the printed penalty clause on the right-hand corner.
The Secretary of Transportation and Communications is responsible for issuing the necessary rules and regulations to implement the Act.
A fine of five hundred pesos (P500.00) will be imposed for private or unauthorized use of the franking privilege.
The Act took effect immediately upon its approval on March 14, 1988.
The official envelope must bear the Member's name, the Official Seal of the Republic or Congress on the left corner, and the printed penalty clause on the right corner to signify that the mail is using the franking privilege properly and to prevent unauthorized use.
The franking privilege granted by this law is exclusively for Members of Congress and, under certain circumstances, their surviving spouse; it does not extend to other government officials.