LIFE imprisonment and a fine of at least P2 million will be the punishment for individuals leaking top secret government information if a bill filed before the Senate on Monday is passed into law.
Under Senate Bill No. 2667, Senator Francis N. Tolentino added a provision that would bar violators from running for public office.
It defines top secret information as materials that would cause “exceptionally grave damage” to national security; secret information as those that cause “serious damage to national security;” and confidential information as those that cause damage to national security.
The minimum punishment for those that disclose classified documents without authority would face a penalty of six to 12 years in jail and a fine of not more than P200,000.
The bill was filed as the Senate is in the middle of its investigation into leaked Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) drug watchlist that supposedly includes the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and famous actors.
“Government documents are always at constant risk of being accessed for a purpose inimical to our national interest,” Mr. Tolentino said in the bill’s explanatory note. “The addition of concomitant liability, on any person who violates the provisions of this proposed measure, will strengthen and safeguard to integrity of public officials and employees in the conduct of their work.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez
