Letter of Instructions No. 725, issued on July 21, 1978, extends franking privileges to members of the Batasang Pambansa (Philippine National Assembly) for their official mail. Such mail, when addressed within the Philippines, is exempt from postage as long as it does not exceed 120 grams and is directed to government entities. Envelopes must display specific markings, including the sender's name and a warning against unauthorized use, with a penalty of up to 500 pesos for violations. Registered, airmail, and special delivery items remain subject to applicable fees. Violators face fines not exceeding 500 pesos.
July 21, 1978
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 725
TO : The Postmaster General
In connection with the operation of the BATASANG PAMBANSA, Franking Privilege is extended to the Members of the BATASAN under the following provisions:
1. All official mail matter of BATASAN MEMBERS addressed for delivery within the Philippines, shall be received, transmitted and delivered in the mails of the Philippines free of postage: Provided, That such mail matter, when addressed to persons or offices other than government officers or offices, shall not exceed one hundred and twenty grams in weight.
2. The envelope or wrapper of such mail matter shall bear on the left corner to the name and official designation of the official sending the mail matter, and the words "BATASANG PAMBANSA", and on the right upper corner the words "Penalty for private or unauthorized use to avoid payment of postage, P500."
3. Mails intended for transmission as registered, airmail, and/or special delivery matter, shall be subject to the payment of the necessary registry, airmail, and/or special delivery fee.
4. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this LOI shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred pesos.
DONE in the City of Manila, this 21st day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Eight.