Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 235)
The primary purpose of Executive Order No. 235 is to provide the Office of the Vice-President of the Philippines with the franking privilege to transmit official mail free of charge, enabling it to discharge its functions and responsibilities promptly and with dispatch.
All official communications and papers directly connected with the discharge of functions and responsibilities of the Office of the Vice-President are exempted from postage fees and may be transmitted free of charge.
The name, official designation, and station of the official sending the privileged mail must be placed on the left upper corner of the envelope or wrapper.
On the right upper corner of the privileged mail, the words 'Private or unauthorized use to avoid payment of postage is penalized by fine or imprisonment or both' must be printed.
The Secretary of Transportation and Communications is responsible for promulgating the necessary rules and regulations within thirty (30) days from the publication of the Executive Order.
Any person who uses the franking privilege for private or unauthorized purposes shall be punished by a fine of five hundred pesos, or imprisonment of not more than three years, or both.
Executive Order No. 235 took effect immediately upon its issuance on July 22, 1987.
Executive Order No. 235 was signed by President Corazon C. Aquino and attested to by Executive Secretary Joker P. Arroyo.
It supports the prompt and efficient discharge of the Office of the Vice-President's functions and responsibilities by facilitating the free transmission of official mail.
No, Executive Order No. 235 specifically allows free transmission only of official mail directly related to the Office of the Vice-President's functions. Private or unauthorized use is prohibited and penalized.