Prohibiting All Officers and Employees of the Office of the President from Prematurely Disclosing Unreleased Official Documents to the Media and Other Unauthorized Third Persons

October 30, 2017

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 15

PROHIBITING ALL OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER PERSONS EMPLOYED, CONTRACTED, OR ENGAGED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT FROM PREMATURELY DISCLOSING UNRELEASED OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS TO THE MEDIA AND OTHER UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PERSONS

In view of the rising number of incidents involving premature disclosure or leakage of official documents emanating from the Office of the President, such as but not limited to appointments to government positions, acceptance of resignations, decisions and orders pertaining to cases on appeal with or being investigated by the Office of the President, Executive Orders and other similar issuances, Presidential action on legislative matters, proclamations of special holidays, suspension of work and/or classes, and other similar official action, all officers, employees, and other persons employed, contracted, or engaged in any manner whatsoever by the Office of the President, or detailed or seconded therewith, or who have access in any manner to official information, directly or indirectly, are hereby prohibited from making any premature disclosure of such information to all forms of media, including social media, and other interested but unauthorized third persons in general, prior to the official release of such official documents or information by the Malacañang Records Office.

This prohibition includes sharing the contents of, or information contained in, an official document that is meant for internal communication between government offices or agencies, as well as one that has not been signed at the time the contents thereof or information contained therein were leaked.

The prohibition also covers sharing any statement that purports to be official when no official document has been released to support such statement.

This prohibition is for the purpose, among others, of avoiding confusion and speculation, preserving executive prerogatives and flexibility, and addressing security considerations.

Any employee, officer, or other persons covered by this Order who knowingly and willfully violate the same shall be held administratively liable for insubordination after due notice and hearing and shall be meted the appropriate penalty of suspension or dismissal, as may be warranted under the relevant provisions of the Revised Administrative Code. DETACa

For strict compliance.

Manila, October 30, 2017.