Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero has renewed his call for transparency in government by refiling a measure requiring all public officials and employees to waive their rights under the Law on the Secrecy of Bank Deposits and the Foreign Currency Deposit Act.
Under the bill, government personnel—except those serving in an honorary capacity—must submit a written waiver authorizing the Office of the Ombudsman to examine all deposits and investments, including foreign currency accounts.
“This bill has languished for too long,” Escudero said. “I’m hopeful that this time, we can turn the rhetoric of transparency into actionable policy.”
The veteran legislator said the secrecy laws have allowed corruption to flourish. “Their rigidity has enabled corruption to thrive under the guise of confidentiality,” he said.
Escudero also filed related bills to strengthen local autonomy, ease compliance for MSMEs, adjust allowances for government workers, and update outdated laws such as the Condominium Act.
Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson vowed to push his proposed New Anti-Espionage Act when the 20th Congress convenes. The measure seeks to modernize the country’s outdated anti-espionage laws and expand the definition of espionage to cover electronic and cyber methods.
The bill imposes life imprisonment without parole for those convicted and fines ranging from P5 million to P20 million. It also grants authorities the power to surveil suspects and block access to online platforms deemed a threat to national security.
“These incidents point to a larger, more concerning pattern: a deliberate and sophisticated use of modern tools to conduct espionage and interference,” Lacson said.