COUNTRY AWAITS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW.
On 12 May 2008, the House of Representatives passed on third reading House Bill 3732, or the Freedom of Information Act. On 14 December 2009, the Senate completed its action on the measure with the passage on third reading of Senate Bill 3308. After close to 23 years since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, Congress is finally close to addressing the lack of legislation that has allowed the routine violation by government agencies of the people's right to information.
We, representatives of over 100 organizations and coalitions comprising public-interest groups, environmental protection advocates, independent media groups, print and broadcast journalists, farmers organizations and support groups, women's organizations, private and public sector labor unions, migrant workers, businessmen, academic institutions, and student and youth organizations, await with anticipation the day when the Freedom of Information Act finally becomes law.
We fully support the recommendation made by Representatives Erin Tañada and Joel Villanueva for a full adoption by the House of Representatives of S. No. 3308. We share their evaluation that S. No. 3308 is as much a House version as it is a Senate version. Having actively participated in the House and Senate legislative processes on the measure, we confirm their observation that the Senate Committee on Public Information chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano adopted H. No. 3732 as starting point for their work. The amendments introduced by the Senate only address remaining legitimate concerns raised by stakeholders and by Senators.
When passed into law, the Freedom of Information Act will provide the much needed substantive and procedural details that will make fully operational the Constitutional right of the people to information and the state policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.
First, it will provide a standard and definite procedure in dealing with requests for information. Requests, submitted personally, by mail, or through electronic means, need to be complied with by government agencies in seven days.
Second, requests may be denied only when the information falls under exceptions narrowly defined and clearly specifying the legitimate public interest in keeping them secret. These exceptions pertain to national defense, foreign affairs, law enforcement, personal privacy, trade secrets, Congressional executive sessions, drafts of adjudicatory decisions, privileged information in legal proceedings, and such other information exempted by law or the Constitution.
Third, in cases of denial of access, citizens are given the right to appeal administratively, or to ask for review by the Ombudsman or by the Courts. Where the denial appears to be valid, the Act will give citizens the opportunity to prove a greater or overriding public interest in disclosure. Where the denial is illegal, the citizen concerned may file the appropriate criminal or administrative complaint.
Fourth, it will provide implementing mechanics for disclosure to the public, without need of request from anyone, of government transactions of utmost public interest such as procurement and infrastructure contracts, concession agreements, loans, and international agreements.
Fifth, it will provide numerous mechanisms for the active promotion of openness in government, such as the introduction of standards for the keeping of records, the obligation to publish important organizational information of agencies, and the requirement for government agencies to prepare a Freedom of Information Manual to guide citizens' access to information.
The Freedom of Information law will empower all of us to plant the seeds of strategic and irreversible governance reform in the country. Only the cynical and the forces of unaccountable and rapacious governance will stand in the way of its passage.
With only nine session days left for the 14th Congress to finish legislation from the time it resumes session on January 18 up to the time it adjourns for the elections on February 5, we keep faith that our Senate and House of Representatives will deliver.
Right to know. Right now!
11 January 2010.
1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan Action for Economic Reforms (AER)
2. Dr. Florangel Rosario - Braid Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
3. Dean Antonio La Viña Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
4. Ms. Angelica Simone Mangahas Ateneo Debate Society
5. Ms. Adelina Alvarez Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)
6. Prof. Luis Teodoro Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
7. Atty. Roberto Cadiz LIBERTAS
8. Mr. Sonny Fernandez; National Union of Journalists of the
Mr. Nestor Burgos Philippines (NUJP)
9. Mr. Bartholome Guingona pagbabago@pilipinas
10. Ms. Malou Mangahas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
11. Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN)
12. Mr. Joshua Mata Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
13. Mr. Alberto Lim Makati Business Club
14. Ms. Ellene Sana Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
15. Ms. Ester Perez Tagle Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
16. Ms. Luz Malihiran Community Organizers Multiversity
17. Mr. Sammy Gamboa EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines
18. Mr. Al Alegre Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
19. Mr. Milo Tanchuling Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
20. Ms. Judy Pasimio Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center - Kasama sa Kalikasan
21. Atty. Ma. Tanya Karina Lat; IDEALS, Inc.
Mr. Arnel Mateo
22. Mr. Jude Esguerra; Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
Mr. Doy Cinco
23. Mr. Ric Serrano La Liga Policy Institute
24. Mr. Rey Rasing Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
25. Atty. Farah Marie Decano Lady Local Legislators' League of the Philippines, Inc. (Four-L Phils.)
26. Mr. Raymond Marvic C. Baguilat University of the Philippines - Law Student Government
27. Mr. Ed Mora Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
28. Mr. Isagani Serrano Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
29. Ms. Annie Geron Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
30. Mr. Carlos Magtolis, Jr. Siliman University - ASPAP
31. Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez Center for People Empowerment in Governance
32. Mr. Joseph Purugganan Stop the New Round Coalition
33. Dr. Sixto K. Roxas Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Development
34. Mr. Ben-Hur Sacopla Southern Luzon State University ASPAP - Region IV
35. Ms. Eirene Aguila Team RP
36. Prof. Leonor M. Briones Social Watch Philippines
37. Ms. Mae V. Buenaventura Women's Legal Bureau, Inc.
38. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez Focus on the Global South - Philippines Program
39. Mr. Ramon Tuazon Philippines Communication Society
40. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo; WomanHealth Philippines
Mercedes Fabros
41. Dr. Buenaventura B. Dargantes Program on Integrated Water Resources
Management RDE, Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies, Visayas State University
42. Mr. Mr. Boy Nuera Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
43. Mr. Roy Calfoforo People's Alternative Studies Center for Research and Education in Social Develoment (PASCRES)
44. Mr. Alain Pascua Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
45. Mr. Horacio T. Cadiz The Philippine Network Foundation, Inc (PHNET)
46. Mr. Joe Valencia KASAPI-HELLAS
47. Mr. Nestor Villanueva Akbayan Greece
48. Mr. Sixto Donato Macasaet CODE-NGO
49. Mr. Jun S. Aguilar Filipino Migrant Workers
50. Mr. Pablo Rosales Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda (PANGISDA)
51. Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKKM)
52. Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
53. Ms. Lourdes M. Tison Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
54. Mr. Abby Y. Pato Task Force on Food Sovereignty Mindanao
55. Ms. Karen Tañada Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute
56. Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido Negros Peace Watch
57. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran II Philippines Communication Society
58. Ms. Aurora Regalado Management Organization for Development and Empowerment, Inc.
59. Mr. Ernesto Lim Jr. People's Campaign on Agrarian Reform (AR NOW!)
60. Mr. Anthony Marzan KAISAHAN
61. Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera Alyansa Tigil Mina
62. Ms. Luz Cabucos-Fegarido RSW
63. Ms. Maria Lisa Alano Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Inc.
64. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran II Philippines Communication Society
65. Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Tison Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
66. Mr. Joel Saracho GCAP-Phils
67. Ms. Trinidad Domingo Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
68. Mr. Richard Gutierrez Ban Toxics
69. Mr. Nonoy Oplas Minimal Government Thinkers
70. Mr. Harvey Keh Kaya Natin! Movement
71. Mr. Czarina Sacaguing Confederation of Student Government in the Philippines
72. Mr. Byron Abadeza Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific
73. Dr. Ma. Olivia Domingo Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, UP-NCPAG
74. Dr. Angelo Ramos Philippine Community e-Center Network
75. Ms. Mae Sabio Sulong CARPER
76. Mr. Diosdado Calmada PEACE
77. Ms. Lanie Factor Task Force Mapalad
78. Ms. Maris Dela Cruz - Cardenas EmPOWER Consumers
79. Mr. Wilson Fortaleza Partido ng Mangagawa
80. Atty. Elpidio Peria Third World Network
Vice Chairman, Social Concerns Committee, IBP South Cotabato - General Santos City Chapter
81. Prof. Gigi Francisco Miriam College - International Studies Department
82. Mr. Obet Pagdanganan Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency (CHAT)
83. Mr. Omi Royandoyan Centro Saka
84. Ms. Carolyn Arguillas MindaNews
85. Mr. Abner Francisco DXCA - FM
86. Ms. Florencia Casanova-Dorotan Women's Action Network for Development
87. Ms. Violeta Corral Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan
88. Mr. Crispino Aguelo Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
89. Ms. Michelle Domocol Visayas Climate Action Network
90. Judge Dolores L. Español (Ret.) Transparency International - Philippines
91. Mr. Roby Alampay Southeast Asian Press Alliance
92. Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles International Center on Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)
93. Ms. Maita Gomez Bantay Kita
94. Mr. Rey Hulog Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
95. Mr. Jose Pavia Philippine Press Institute
96. Mr. Isagani Yambot Philippine Daily Inquirer
97. College Editors Guild of the Philippines
98. Ms. Emy M. Santos National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
99. Ms. Tes M. Borgoños Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (MAKALAYA)
100. Ms. Marilyn Fuentes National Union of Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW)
101. Atty. Michael Yu Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Cebu City Chapter
102. Dr. Prospero E. de Vera National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines
103. Sylvia Estrada Claudio, M.D. PhD. Center for Women's Studies, University of the Philippines
104. Mr. Viktor Samuel Fontanilla UP ALYANSA
105. Ms. Anna Luz Lopez UP BUKLOD CSSP
106. Mr. Jeffrey Crisostomo AKBAYAN Youth - UP D