Philippine Lobbying Regulation Act

Illegal to offer or receive money/property for influencing legislative measures conditioned on their passage or defeat.
Lobbyists must disclose their real interest in the measure when attempting influence.
Violations punishable by imprisonment up to 2 years, fines up to PHP 5,000, or both.

Illegal to give or receive money/property for influencing confirmations or rejections of appointments based on contingency.
Secret or clandestine attempts to influence Commission on Appointments members are penalized.
Penalties include imprisonment up to 2 years, fines up to PHP 5,000, or both.

"Measure": Any proposed legislation or amendment.
"Lobbying": Efforts to promote or oppose legislation or appointment confirmations.
"Lobbyist": Person engaged in lobbying for hire, including salaried officers/agents.
"Unprofessional Conduct": Violations of Act provisions, soliciting employment improperly, or unethical practices.
"Principal": Person or entity employing lobbyists related to legislation or appointments affecting their pecuniary interests.
"Docket": Public register of licensed lobbyists maintained by relevant secretaries.
"Report": Expense statements filed by lobbyists.
"Pecuniary Interest": Includes impacts on taxes, fees, privileges, powers, duties, or governmental agency actions.

Lobbyists must be citizens of good moral character, apply for a license, and pay a fee of PHP 75.
Licenses last until December 31 of issuance year.
Application approval requires unanimous vote by Secretaries of both Houses.
Suspension or revocation allowed upon verified complaint for unprofessional conduct or fraud.
Solicitor General may file civil action for revocation; Courts rule accordingly.
Suspension/revocation bars lobbying activities until reinstated.

Secretaries maintain docket with names, addresses, principals, and subjects of lobbying.
Docket is a public record available during business hours.
Principals update docket entries with new subjects or appointments.
Lobbyists file written authorization from principals within 10 days of registration.

Lobbyists must be licensed and registered for each matter.
No compensation based on legislative or appointment outcome.
Written or printed lobbying materials distributed to all members must be filed in triplicate with Secretaries.

Lobbyists file monthly sworn expense statements during Congress sessions, excluding personal expenses.
Secretaries report lobbyist info to Congress weekly during sessions.
Reports include expenditures made to entertain government officials related to lobbying.

Principals file detailed verified statements within 30 days after Congress adjournment.
Reports cover expenses related to employing lobbyists and promoting/opposing legislation or appointments.
Reports are open to public.

Principals violating sections on registration and reporting fined PHP 1,000 to PHP 20,000.
Unlicensed lobbyists or those not complying fined PHP 500 to PHP 10,000 and disbarred for 3 years.
Failure to file statements may result in fines up to PHP 1,000 or imprisonment up to 6 months.
Filing false statements penalized by fines PHP 1,000-5,000 and imprisonment 6 months to 2 years.

Only licensed lobbyists may directly attempt to influence members on pending measures or appointments, except via:
- Committee appearances
- Newspaper publications
- Public addresses (not to members)
- Written or printed statements delivered to members
Govt. officers/employees prohibited from lobbying to protect pecuniary interests except as authorized.
Citizens may communicate rights exercised.
Unlicensed personal lobbying punishable by imprisonment up to 6 months, fines up to PHP 1,000, or both.
Persons lobbying only through committee appearances and registering need not be licensed or report expenses.

Payments to media owners or employees to publish favored or opposed congressional articles must be reported within 10 days.
Exception for paid advertisements showing authorization and amounts.
Violations fined PHP 500 to PHP 10,000.