Press Release - Jinggoy's bill allows 'netizens' to participate in amending, enacting new laws

SENATOR JinggoyEjercito Estrada has filed a bill that allows the public to participate in every step of the legislative process, whether to amend or enact new laws, through online platforms.

"Sa ilalim ng panukalang ito, maaari silang lumahok sa legislative process - mula sa First Reading, Second Reading at Third Reading - sa pamamagitan ng crowdsourcing," Estrada said referring to his Senate Bill No. 2344, or the proposed Crowdsourcing in Legislative Policymaking Act.

The proposed measure would enable individuals or groups to engage in crowdsourcing, which is defined as the practice of engaging individuals or a group towards a common goal, often at innovation, problem-solving, or efficiency in the delivery of services.

Through social media or online portals of the Senate and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), the public can post or submit their inputs or comments to the committee deliberating on a bill.

After the filing of a bill in the Senate or after the First Reading stage, the public can submit their comments within 15 working days, which shall be part of the inputs to be discussed during the committee deliberations. Once the bill is reported on the floor during the Second Reading of the measure, the public is given three working days to submit their comments, and in the Third Reading, another three working days are allotted to the public for their inputs.

Estrada said the PLLO website will be tasked to provide an online platform where the public can start a campaign or petition to review, amend, or repeal a law or create a bill, the result of which may be transmitted to any member of both houses of Congress for appropriate action. The PLLO shall also provide an online crowdsourcing feedback report to inform the proponent/s of the action/s taken.

"Noong kasagsagan ng pandemya, naging virtual ang lahat, pati ang pagpapasa ng batas at dito nakita natin na lumalahok ang mga resource persons sa mga pagdinig sa Senado o committee hearings," the seasoned lawmaker noted.

Estrada believes that the bill will help broaden the reach of Congress in considering the inputs, suggestions, recommendations, and objections of the people on a particular