Anti–Red Tape Authority#Background

Prior to 2007, red tape ran prevalent within government services. Because of the long turnaround time for government services, some government officials, termed fixers, expedited provision of those services in exchange for a fee.{{Cite web |title=The Anti-Red Tape Act in the Philippines |url=https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/anti-red-tape-act-philippines |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Centre For Public Impact (CPI) |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308051101/https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/anti-red-tape-act-philippines |url-status=live }}

On June 2, 2007, the 13th Congress of the Philippines and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo passed the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. The act aimed to reduce bureaucratic red tape within the government and reduce the corruption that results from it.{{Cite act|type=Republic Act|index=9485|date=June 2, 2007|legislature=13th Congress of the Philippines|title=Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2007/06/02/republic-act-no-9485/|language=en}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206104548/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2007/06/02/republic-act-no-9485/ |date=December 6, 2022 }} The initial implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act was spearheaded by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and joined by the Development Academy of the Philippines, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)—a document defining specifics for the law's implementation—was signed on July 24, 2008.{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2008 |title=Memorandum Circular No. 12, series of 2008: Republic Act No. 9845 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations |url=https://contactcenterngbayan.gov.ph/images/pdf_file/IRR-RA-9485-ARTA.pdf |website=Contact Center ng Bayan |publisher=Civil Service Commission |access-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622214056/https://contactcenterngbayan.gov.ph/images/pdf_file/IRR-RA-9485-ARTA.pdf |url-status=live }}

In 2016, the 8888 Citizen's Complaint Hotline opened to receive reports of poor government front-line service delivery and corrupt practices in government agencies.{{Cite web |last=Francisco |first=Katerina |date=2016-07-08 |title=Coming in August: 8888 complaint hotline, 911 for emergencies |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/139107-8888-complaint-hotline-911-emergency-hotline/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814024425/https://www.rappler.com/nation/139107-8888-complaint-hotline-911-emergency-hotline/ |url-status=live }}

In an effort to further streamline government services, the 17th Congress of the Philippines and former President Rodrigo Duterte passed the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. The law, passed on May 28, 2018, officially created the Anti-Red Tape Authority as a new attachment of the Office of the President.{{Cite law|type=Republic Act|index=11032|date=May 28, 2018|article=11|article-type=Section|title=Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services Act of 2018|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2018/05may/20180528-RA-11032-RRD.pdf|language=en}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812032605/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2018/05may/20180528-RA-11032-RRD.pdf|date=August 12, 2022}} Ernesto V. Perez was the first appointed official of the agency, being appointed a deputy director general on October 31, 2018, and later officer-in-charge for the authority's Office of the Director General on December 8.{{Cite interview |last=Perez |first=Ernesto |interviewer=Ted Failon |title=Duterte yet to tap anti-red tape head |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/19/duterte-yet-to-tap-anti-red-tape-head |publisher=ABS-CBN News |date=January 3, 2019 |quote=(5:19) Ang aking appointment po was dated October 31. [My appointment was dated October 31.] |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125065539/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/19/duterte-yet-to-tap-anti-red-tape-head |url-status=live }}{{Cite interview |last=Perez |first=Ernesto |interviewer=Ted Failon |title=Duterte yet to tap anti-red tape head |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/19/duterte-yet-to-tap-anti-red-tape-head |publisher=ABS-CBN News |date=January 3, 2019 |quote=(1:40) Ako pa lang po ang na-appoint ng presidente na deputy director general, although inappoint ako recently noong December 8 na officer-in-charge ng office of the director general [I'm still the only one appointed by the president as deputy director general, although I was appointed recently on December 8 as officer-in-charge of the office of the director general] [...] |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125065539/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/19/duterte-yet-to-tap-anti-red-tape-head |url-status=live }} The final public hearing for the agency's IRR was held on April 16, 2019, but was blocked from promulgation due to the lack of an appointed director general, who has the sole power to recommend the IRR's approval to the president.{{Cite web |title=IRR for Anti-Red Tape Law exempt some gov’t agencies |url=https://mb.com.ph/2019/04/16/irr-for-anti-red-tape-law-exempt-some-govt-agencies/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207055825/https://mb.com.ph/2019/04/16/irr-for-anti-red-tape-law-exempt-some-govt-agencies/ |url-status=live }} In the period between the passing of the original law and the authority's IRR, red tape still remained a problem for businesses in the Philippines.{{Cite web |last=Rosales |first=Elijah Felice |date=2019-05-28 |title=‘Red tape a bane’ 1 year after EODB law’s OK |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/05/29/red-tape-a-bane-1-year-after-eodb-laws-ok/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801104732/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/05/29/red-tape-a-bane-1-year-after-eodb-laws-ok/ |url-status=live }} The agency's first director general, Jeremiah Belgica, was appointed by Duterte on July 3, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Ciasico |first=Francine |date=July 6, 2019 |title=Another Belgica to serve under Duterte administration |url=https://mb.com.ph/2019/07/05/another-belgica-to-serve-under-duterte-administration/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208070940/https://mb.com.ph/2019/07/05/another-belgica-to-serve-under-duterte-administration/ |url-status=live }} Subsequently, the IRR of the authority was passed on July 17, 2019, over a year after the agency was first formed.{{Cite web |last=Desiderio |first=Louella |title=IRR issued for Ease of Doing Business Act |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/18/1935530/irr-issued-ease-doing-business-act |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719052316/https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/18/1935530/irr-issued-ease-doing-business-act |url-status=live }}

The Commission on Audit released a report in 2022 about slowdowns in the authority's complaint resolution process. It wrote the first two stages of complaints took an average of 124 days.{{Cite web |author=James Patrick Cruz |date=2023-07-22 |title=Anti-Red Tape Authority at risk of 'eroded reputation' over slow complaint disposition |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/coa-finds-anti-red-tape-authority-complaint-resolution-process-slow-2022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723095401/https://www.rappler.com/business/coa-finds-anti-red-tape-authority-complaint-resolution-process-slow-2022/ |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}} Ombudsman Martires called to abolish the authority, arguing that the law was unconstitutional as its functions "solely belong to the Office of the Ombudsman."{{Cite news |last=Navallo |first=Mike |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Ombudsman wants to abolish ARTA, amend new Sandiganbayan law |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/22/ombudsman-wants-to-abolish-arta-amend-new-sandiganbayan-law |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912132734/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/22/ombudsman-wants-to-abolish-arta-amend-new-sandiganbayan-law |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2023}} A joint statement of 30 business groups and foreign chambers opposed the proposed abolition of the authority.{{Cite web |last=Cabuenas |first=Jon Viktor |date=2022-10-17 |title=Over 30 business groups oppose call to abolish ARTA |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/848327/over-30-business-groups-denounce-call-to-abolish-arta/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017110044/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/848327/over-30-business-groups-denounce-call-to-abolish-arta/story/ |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}

On June 2, 2022, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the preventive suspension of Belgica and four other authority officials for six months following a complaint made by Dito Telecommunity Chief Administrative Officer Adel Tamano which accused the authority of giving preferential treatment to Now Telecom.{{Cite news |last=Ayalin |first=Adrian |date=June 5, 2022 |title=Ombudsman suspends ARTA chief for 6-months over DITO complaint |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/05/22/arta-chief-suspended-for-6-months-over-dito-complaint |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005061506/https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/05/22/arta-chief-suspended-for-6-months-over-dito-complaint |url-status=live }} The Office of the President implemented the suspension on June 7.{{Cite web |last=Marcelo |first=Elizabeth |title=Palace implements ARTA chief suspension |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/06/13/2188001/palace-implements-arta-chief-suspension |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615195255/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/06/13/2188001/palace-implements-arta-chief-suspension |url-status=live }} Perez returned as director general officer-in-charge for the authority on June 11.{{Cite news |last=Crismundo |first=Kris |date=June 11, 2022 |title=Palace names ARTA OIC |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1176433 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205083800/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1176433 |url-status=live }} He was later appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as the authority's new permanent director general on November 14, 2022, replacing Belgica.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-14 |title=Palace: Ernesto Perez appointed Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/851417/palace-ernesto-perez-appointed-anti-red-tape-authority-director-general/story/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=GMA News Online |language=en |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126001930/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/851417/palace-ernesto-perez-appointed-anti-red-tape-authority-director-general/story/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lalu |first=Gabriel Pabico |date=2022-11-15 |title=ARTA OIC Perez is now director general |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1693236/arta-oic-perez-is-now-its-director-general |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606121428/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1693236/arta-oic-perez-is-now-its-director-general |url-status=live }} On March 3, 2023, the Ombudsman found the suspended officials guilty of grave misconduct; they were dismissed, disqualified from holding public office, and stripped of retirement benefits. The officials who were removed from position prior to the conviction (which included Belgica) were ordered to pay a fine equal to one year of their salary.{{Cite web |last=Rivas |first=Ralf |date=2023-07-28 |title=Ombudsman finds ex-ARTA chief guilty of grave misconduct for favoring NOW Telecom |url=https://www.rappler.com/business/ex-anti-red-tape-authority-chief-guilty-grave-misconduct/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801145032/https://www.rappler.com/business/ex-anti-red-tape-authority-chief-guilty-grave-misconduct/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=ARTA officials ordered dismissed by Ombudsman over telco complaint |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/27/ARTA-officials-dismissed-Ombudsman-.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=cnn |language=en |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727155607/http://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/7/27/ARTA-officials-dismissed-Ombudsman-.html |url-status=dead }}

Prior to the approval of its IRR, the authority already began enforcing the Ease of Doing Business Act.{{Cite news |last=Roque |first=EJ |date=June 26, 2019 |title=ARTA enforces 'Ease of Doing Business' law sans IRR |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1073414 |access-date=October 24, 2023}} The authority actively promotes the digitization of government services, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which already pushed government services to use digital platforms.{{Cite news |last=Crismundo |first=Kris |date=September 24, 2020 |title=ARTA calls for digitalization in gov’t transactions |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116550 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007092814/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116550 |url-status=live }} The authority also aims to enforce a maximum processing time for government services: 3 days for simple transactions, 7 days for complex transactions, and 20 days for highly technical transactions.{{Cite news |last=Crismundo |first=Kris |date=February 23, 2022 |title=ARTA pushes for zero backlog policy |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168435 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604180937/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1168435 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Pascual |first=Jekki |date=February 23, 2022 |title=ARTA urges gov't agencies to implement '3-7-20 policy' on transactions |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/23/22/arta-bats-for-3-7-20-policy-on-govt-transactions |access-date=October 25, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203084918/https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/23/22/arta-bats-for-3-7-20-policy-on-govt-transactions |url-status=live }}

Among the first orders by the authority was to compel the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LFTRB) on July 24 to explain irregularities committed by the board, which included delays and issues related to the approval of Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers applications.{{Cite web |last=Galvez |first=Daphne |date=2019-07-24 |title=LTFRB ordered to explain delays in TNVS accreditation |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1145933/ltfrb-ordered-to-explain-delays-in-tnvs-accreditation |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827185726/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1145933/ltfrb-ordered-to-explain-delays-in-tnvs-accreditation |url-status=live }} The authority later ordered the LTFRB to automatically approve all valid applications.{{Cite news |last=Dela Cruz |first=Raymond Carl |date=August 14, 2019 |title=LTFRB ordered to approve all valid TNVS applications |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077766 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423122601/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1077766 |url-status=live }} As a result of orders from the authority, the LTFRB launched an online portal for TNVS drivers on October 24.{{Cite web |last=Inquirer |first=Philippine Daily |date=2019-10-24 |title=LTFRB launches online portal for TNVS drivers’ concerns |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1181055/ltfrb-launches-online-portal-for-tnvs-drivers-concerns |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028204739/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1181055/ltfrb-launches-online-portal-for-tnvs-drivers-concerns |url-status=live }}

From the start of its operations until June 2021, the authority has expedited the release of over 35 thousand permits to various government agencies, with the majority of permits coming from the telecommunications sector.{{Cite web |last=Desiderio |first=Louella |title=Over 35K permits issued as government trims procedures |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/07/03/2109753/over-35k-permits-issued-government-trims-procedures |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103054318/https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/07/03/2109753/over-35k-permits-issued-government-trims-procedures |url-status=live }}

Prior to the approval of its IRR, the authority already began accepting and resolving complaints of red tape from businesses and individuals. From the start of its operations until June 2021, the authority received 1,178 complaints, of which 537 were resolved. The authority opened an online complaint management system in 2022, allowing citizens to submit complaints through the internet.{{Cite news |last=Crismundo |first=Kris |date=April 18, 2022 |title=ARTA to launch electronic complaint system |work=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172325 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818041448/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172325 |url-status=live }} Following a memorandum of agreement signed in February 2023, government agencies were now required to respond to complaints of poor service submitted by citizens within 72 hours. The 8888 hotline was also given the power to act as complainant for these cases.{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Alexis |title=Government to act on complaints within 72 hours |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/23/2246975/government-act-complaints-within-72-hours |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320053218/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/23/2246975/government-act-complaints-within-72-hours |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Gov't moves to address complaints within 72 hours |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/23/govt-moves-to-address-complaints-within-72-hours/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319201604/https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/23/govt-moves-to-address-complaints-within-72-hours/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, the authority claimed that it had resolved over 98% of the complaints it had received.{{Cite web |title=ARTA vows to exceed expectations |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/2/arta-vows-to-exceed-expectations |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103054309/https://mb.com.ph/2023/10/2/arta-vows-to-exceed-expectations |url-status=live }}

The authority was mandated by the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Act to ensure the creation of Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) services within local government units (LGUs). Local government units were required to set up a single window where this service would be rendered. The deadline for the creation of these services was on June 17, 2021—three years after the EODB Act was signed.{{Cite web |last=Desiderio |first=Louella |title=LGUs ordered to set up business one-stop shops |url=https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/01/03/2067731/lgus-ordered-set-business-one-stop-shops |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103172540/https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/01/03/2067731/lgus-ordered-set-business-one-stop-shops |url-status=live }}

As part of its digitization efforts, the authority also pushed LGUs to set up an electronic BOSS (e-BOSS) system, where citizens can file and be issued government documents online. For municipalities without the budget to develop their own systems, the authority, partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), offered DICT-developed software free of charge. By March 2022, only 13% of LGUs had an operational e-BOSS system. To aid in digitization, the authority partnered with Meralco to provide 500 computers to LGUs and with telecommunications companies to provide internet connections in isolated areas that have no connectivity.{{Cite news |last=de Guzman |first=Warren |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Implementing ‘Ease of Doing Business Act’ not so easy after all |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/04/23/implementing-ease-of-doing-business-act-not-so-easy-after-all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409083142/https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/04/23/implementing-ease-of-doing-business-act-not-so-easy-after-all |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |work=ABS-CBN News}}

The authority is headed by a director general and three deputy directors general. The Director General is a member of the Cabinet of the Philippines. Three deputy directors general head three different top offices of the authority: administration and finance, legal, and operations.

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://arta.gov.ph}}
• [https://arta.gov.ph/fileacomplaint/ e-ARTA Complaints Management System]

{{Office of the President of the Philippines}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anti-Red Tape Authority}}

Category:2018 establishments in the Philippines

Category:Government agencies under the Office of the President of the Philippines

Category:Government agencies established in 2018