Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9485)
The short title is the "Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007."
The State promotes integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and property, and aims to prevent graft and corruption through transparency and simplified government procedures.
All government offices and agencies including local government units and government-owned or controlled corporations that provide frontline services are covered, except those performing judicial, quasi-judicial, and legislative functions.
Simple Transactions are requests or applications that require only ministerial actions or present only inconsequential issues for resolution by a public officer or employee.
Frontline Service is the process or transaction between clients and government offices involving applications for privileges, rights, permits, licenses, or other related requests acted upon in the ordinary course of business.
The Citizen's Charter sets service standards including procedures, persons responsible, maximum processing time, required documents, fees if any, and complaint procedures; it must be publicly posted to inform clients.
The head of the office or agency is primarily responsible and accountable for the implementation and delivery of fast, efficient, and reliable services.
Simple transactions must be acted upon within five (5) working days and complex transactions within ten (10) working days from receipt of the application or request.
The first offense penalty is thirty (30) days suspension without pay and mandatory attendance in a Values Orientation Program.
They shall be dismissed from service and perpetually disqualified from public service.
A fixer is any individual, official or not, who facilitates speedy completion of government transactions for pecuniary gain or other advantages, often through collusion with public employees.
The permit, license, or authority is automatically extended until the government office acts on the application, except in cases involving public health, safety, morals, or policy risks.
Yes, all employees transacting with the public must be provided with and visibly wear an official identification card during office hours.
The Act requires a Report Card Survey to be conducted for feedback on service delivery and hidden costs, with feedback incorporated into annual reports of offices and agencies.
The Civil Service Commission, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, and the Office of the Ombudsman have administrative jurisdiction over such violations.
No, administrative findings do not prevent filing of criminal, civil, or other related charges for the same acts or omissions.
The official must voluntarily give information or testify, there must be absolute necessity for the testimony, no other direct evidence exists, the testimony is corroborated, the informant has no prior moral turpitude conviction, and is not the most guilty party.
The written notice must include the reason for disapproval and a list of the specific requirements the client failed to submit.
Heads of offices must adopt schedules to ensure clients present before closing hours are served, including during lunch breaks and after regular office hours.
Imposing additional irrelevant requirements beyond those listed in the first notice is a light offense and subject to penalties.