Miriam files bill regulating lobbyists

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a bill that will regulate lobbyists in the legislative and executive branches of government.

Santiago said Senate Bill 1716 or the "Lobbying Disclosure Act" is intended to limit the influence of lobbyists on laws and government policy and expands the coverage of Republic Act 1827 and Executive Order 292.

She said RA 1827, which was passed in 1957, covers lobbying in Congress and the Commission on Appointments, while EO 292 subjects bureaucrats involved in lobbying to disciplinary action.

"These laws have not curtailed efforts of highly paid lobbyists to influence the decision-making process in both the executive and legislative branches. This is due to the ambiguous statutory language, weak administrative and enforcement provisions, and the absence of clear rules on lobbying," she said.

Santiago’s bill covers both individuals and organizations that conduct lobbying activities. An organization is considered to be involved in lobbying if one or more of its employees are engaged in the activity.

The bill covers both professional lobbyists who lobby for other people and organizations that lobby in their "own behalf."

SB 1716 requires all lobbyists to register and submit regular reports on their lobbying activities.

Among the details lobbyists are required to include in their reports are the names of their clients, the issues they are promoting; and the proposed laws and possible executive decisions that they hope to influence.

Santiago’s bill also requires lobbyists to supply a "good faith estimate" of all their expenses and income during the period covered by the report.

Violators of the law would be subjected to a fine of not more than P50,000.