Miriam seeks full disclosure on Congress lobbying

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a bill seeking to require public disclosure of all lobbying in Congress to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the government.

In filing Senate Bill No. 1970, Santiago said lobbyists have greatly influenced government policy decisions and the crafting of laws by the legislature.

“While the records of the deliberations of the Senate and the House of Representatives are open to the public, the behind-the-scenes negotiations are not,” she said.

“The numerous Senate and House hearings investigating the suspected anomalous deals of the government are proof of public distrust in the way that government transactions are concluded.

“Hence, it is equally if not more important that lobbying activities be made public.”

Santiago’s bill aims to define lobbying as “any oral or written communication (including electronic communication) with a public official intended to influence: the development of any legislative proposal by the government or by a member of either House of Congress; the introduction of any bill in either House of Congress or the passage or amendment of any bill that is before either house of Congress; the making or amendment of any delegated legislation; introduction of or change to any government policy or program; the exercise of any authority or power conferred under a written law; or the expenditure of public money.”

The bill also seeks to require lobbyists to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission, setting out the following information:

• Name and business address of the lobbyist;

• Name and business address of the employer or the person in whose behalf the lobbying activity is carried out;

• If the employer is a corporation, the name and business address of any related entity of the employer that, to the knowledge of the lobbyist, has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity; and

• Any other person that, to the knowledge of the lobbyist, has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity.

Other information that would be required of lobbyists include:

• Description in summary form of the employer’s business or activities and such other information to identify the nature of the employer’s business or activities as is prescribed; 

• Description, in summary form, of the subject matter of the lobbying activity, and such other information regarding the subject matter as is prescribed;

• Particulars to identify any legislative proposal, bill, delegated legislation, policy, program, authority, power or expenditure to which the lobbying activity is related; the names and designations of the public officials in relation to whom lobbying activity was directed; and

• Other information in relation to the lobbying activity as is prescribed.