(MALAYA) SEN. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has filed a proposed measure seeking the publication of laws on the online version of the Official Gazette and of newspapers so they can be widely disseminated.
Estrada said Senate Bill No. 1645 seeks to amend the Civil Code and Administrative Code of 1987 as he underscored the need to keep the implementation of new laws, presidential issuances, and implementing rules and regulations in step with the times.
He said the proposed measure will address the limited readership and erratic release of the Official Gazette.
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse and in this inter-driven information age, everything is quickly and widely disseminated. We should be able to cope with the modern, fast, and effective way of dissemination of information to the public on laws which are implemented,” he said.
The proposed bill also proposed to authorize adjustments in publication-requirements of a newly-signed law, if it is intended to respond to a national emergency situation.
“With the advancement 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.
Laws take effect 15 days following the completion of their publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the country.
Publication is an indispensable requirement to comply with due process and this covers all statutes enacted by Congress, presidential issuances, order, proclamations, circulars, and IRRs of laws.