Senator Robinhood Padilla has filed a bill seeking stiffer penalties for government personnel who knowingly provide false statements or fabricated evidence during congressional inquiries.

Senate Bill No. 610, or the proposed “Truthful Congressional Inquiry Act,” would impose up to 10 years in prison on government personnel who make untruthful statements or present fabricated evidence involving material facts in congressional investigations into specified serious offenses.

The penalty would rise to up to 20 years if the offender is from agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Corrections, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, among others.

The bill also proposes a fine of up to P3 million, perpetual disqualification from holding elective or appointive government positions, and restrictions on eligibility for executive clemency.

Padilla said tougher penalties were needed because Congress relies on accurate information when crafting laws and conducting oversight.

“Congress relies on factual and accurate information in crafting laws and exercising its oversight functions. Kapag nagsinungaling o gumawa ng pekeng ebidensya ang isang kawani ng gobyerno sa harap ng Kongreso, hindi lamang ang mga mambabatas ang nililinlang—ang taumbayan mismo ang nililinlang (When a government employee lies or fabricates evidence before Congress, it is not only the lawmakers who are being deceived—the Filipino people themselves are being deceived),” Padilla said.

Existing laws already penalize perjury and false testimony, but Padilla said government personnel who lie during congressional proceedings should face stronger deterrents because false information could affect legislation, oversight and the public interest.

“Kung humihingi tayo ng katotohanan sa ordinaryong mamamayan, higit nating dapat itong hingin sa mga taong pinapasahod ng bayan. Walang puwang ang kasinungalingan at gawa-gawang ebidensya sa isang imbestigasyong ang layunin ay malaman ang katotohanan (If we demand the truth from ordinary citizens, then we should demand it even more from those paid by the people. There is no place for lies and fabricated evidence in an investigation whose purpose is to uncover the truth),” Padilla said.

The bill seeks to strengthen accountability among government personnel and protect the integrity of congressional investigations.