Uniform system to secure classified gov’t info sought in Senate

During a Senate hearing, Tolentino acknowledged that government documents are always at constant risk of being accessed for purposes inimical to the national interest. (File Photo: Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB via Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – A bill seeking to prescribe a uniform system governing the security of classified information in all government offices was filed on Monday by Senator Francis Tolentino.

During a Senate hearing, Tolentino acknowledged that government documents are always at constant risk of being accessed for purposes inimical to the national interest.

“We really have to have a law that would address the handling, storage, distribution, transmittal, destruction of, and accounting for/of classified documents, taking into consideration the rule making power of the Supreme Court, as well as the power of the chief executive, the President himself,” he said.

Senate Bill (SB) No. 2667 aims to consolidate executive orders and circulars related to confidential matters, establishing a standardized system for handling such information across government offices.

The proposed measure also prescribes penalties in cases of leakage, breach, and other violations concerning the confidentiality of publicized government information.

“The addition of concomitant liability, on any person who violates the provisions of this proposed measure, will strengthen and safeguard the integrity of public officials and employees in the conduct of their work,” Tolentino said.

He said it is the obligation of government entities to implement robust security measures to safeguard sensitive data.

“Indeed, a strong and reliable security system is needed to be put in place especially now that there has been rampant increase in security breaches in various government agencies, in addition to the heightened tension in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

During the hearing, Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said apart from the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Government Officials/Employees, unauthorized disclosure of confidential documents, especially by civilian government employees, can only be categorized as theft if it was stolen, or espionage if the confidential document concerns national security.