(POLITIKO) Senator Jinggoy Estrada has called for the online publication of all laws in the Official Gazette and those of newspapers as a prerequisite of effectivity,
Estrada made the proposal on expanding the legal and recognized format and channel of publication of laws under his Senate bill 1645 in a bid to address the limited readership and erratic release of the Official Gazette.
The senator sought the amendment to the Civil Code and Administrative Code of 1987 to keep up the implementation of new laws, presidential issuances, and implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) with the digital age.
According to Estrada, greater efficiency can be achieved if the public is well informed on new policies being enforced by the government.
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse and in this internet-driven information age, everything is quickly and widely disseminated. Dapat makaagapay din tayo sa mga makabago, mabilis at mabisang pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon sa publiko na may kinalaman sa mga ipinatutupad na batas,” he said.
Under Estrada’s bill, adjustments in publication requirements of a newly-signed law will be authorized if intended to respond to a national emergency situation.
Laws take effect after 15 days following the completion of their publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the country.
“With the advancements in information and communication technology, information dissemination through the internet has become very reliable in terms of speech and reach. Hence, online documents are more accessible to the public in a faster, more convenient, and more affordable manner,” Estrada said.