Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Purpose to regulate foreign agents' activities for national security.
- Requires registration and disclosure of political activities.
- Ensures government and public awareness of foreign agents' identity and actions.
Definition of Terms
- "Person": individual, partnership, association, corporation, or similar.
- "Foreign principal": foreign government, political party, foreigner, or foreign-controlled entity.
- "Foreign agent": person acting or agreeing to act on behalf of a foreign principal in political or information roles, excluding accredited diplomats, UN officials, and bona fide foreign press employees.
- "Political activity": any activity influencing Philippine government or public on policy matters.
- "Political propaganda": communication aimed at influencing public or government on foreign political interests or advocating dissension or overthrow of the Philippine government.
- Roles defined: political consultant, public relations counsel, publicity agent, information representative.
Registration
- Foreign agents must register with the Ministry of Justice within 30 days if existing agents, or 10 days if newly appointed.
- Registration includes personal and business details, foreign principal identity, contract terms, compensation, and detailed activities.
- Termination as foreign agent does not relieve past registration obligations.
Additional Statement
- Biannual semi-annual statements required updating registration information.
- Details of persons involved other than foreign principals, financial transactions, and expenditures related to activities must be disclosed.
Statement Open to Public Scrutiny
- All registration documents are permanent public records.
- Ministry of Justice must transmit copies to Foreign Affairs and Public Information Ministry for foreign relations and internal policy review.
Exemptions
- Act does not apply to persons engaged only in:
- Private, non-political bona fide trade or commerce activities.
- Bona fide charitable, religious, scholastic, academic, artistic, scientific pursuits.
- Legal representation of foreign principals before courts or agencies, excluding influence attempts beyond official business.
Amended Registration
- Minister of Justice may require amended registration statements if initial filings are deficient.
- Unlawful to act as foreign agent without amended compliant registration.
Filing and Labelling of Political Propaganda
- Foreign agents must file copies of political propaganda within 48 hours of dissemination.
- Information on places, times, and extent of dissemination must be provided.
Injunction
- Minister of Justice may seek court orders to enforce compliance.
- Courts have authority to issue injunctions and restraining orders.
- Proceedings are prioritized and expedited.
Unlawful Acts
- Prohibitions include:
- Transmitting political propaganda or requesting political information without registration disclosure.
- Contracts with payment contingent on political success.
- Contributions to political candidate selection processes.
- Soliciting or receiving contributions from foreign agents or principals is illegal.
- Public officers, employees, or spouses are prohibited from acting as foreign agents unless certification of national interest employment is obtained.
Penalties
- Violations subject to up to 5 years imprisonment, fines up to P10,000, or both.
- Corporate officers liable for violations by entities.
- Foreign offenders subject to deportation after penalties.
Rules and Regulations
- Minister of Justice to promulgate implementing rules within 15 days after publication.
Separability Clause
- Unconstitutional provisions do not affect the remainder of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Conflicting laws are repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- Act effective upon approval on September 7, 1979.