The lack of legislation on the right to information has grave consequences for the country. The resulting lack of transparency relates directly to the persistence of rampant corruption that has weighed down the country's development. Lack of transparency has also compromised the quality and effectiveness of government policies.
The passage of the Freedom of Information Act is long overdue. More than 22 years have passed since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, but Congress has yet to provide the legislation that will set in full motion the people's right to information.
Now Congress has the opportunity to finally fulfill its Constitutional duty. The Lower House has passed its counterpart measure (House Bill 3732) more than a year ago. The Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, jointly with the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, has already filed Committee Report No. 534 recommending the passage of Senate Bill 3308. However, it has been four weeks since the opening of the third regular session and the bill is yet to be taken up in plenary. Considering the approaching elections, any further delay narrows the window for the long-awaited passage of the Freedom of Information Act.
We appeal to our Senators to commence deliberations on Senate Bill 3308 now. Let the Freedom of Information Act be your significant and lasting contribution to political reform in the country, to benefit our generation, and the generations to come.
Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III 4th District, Quezon Province
Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan Action for Economic Reforms (AER)
Dr. Florangel Rosario - Braid Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
Dean Antonio La Viña Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
Mr. Michael Jonathan Biscocho Ateneo Debate Society
Ms. Adelina Alvarez Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)
Prof. Luis Teodoro Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
Atty. Roberto Cadiz LIBERTAS
Mr. Sonny Fernandez National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
Mr. Bartholome Guingona pagbabago@pilipinas
Ms.Malou Mangahas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN)
Rep. Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel Akbayan
Mr. Joshua Mata Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
Mr. Alberto Lim Makati Business Club
Ms. Ellene Sana Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
Ms. Ester Perez Tagle Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
Ms. Luz Malihiran Community Organizers Multiversity
Mr. Sammy Gamboa EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines
Mr. Al Alegre Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
Mr. Milo Tanchuling Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Ms. Judy Pasimio Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center - Kasama sa Kalikasan
Atty. Ma. Tanya Katrina Lat;
Mr. Arnel Mateo IDEALS, Inc.
Mr. Doy Cinco Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
Mr. Ric Serrano La Liga Policy Institute
Mr. Rey Rasing Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
Atty. Farah Marie Decano Lady Local Legislators' League of the Philippines, Inc. (Four-L Phils.)
Mr. Raymond Marvic C. Baguilat University of the Philippines - Law Student Government
Mr. Ed Mora Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
Mr. Isagani Serrano Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
Ms. Annie Geron Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
Mr. Carlos Magtolis, Jr. Siliman University - ASPAP
Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez Center for People Empowerment in Governance
Mr. Joseph Purugganan Stop the New Round Coalition
Mr. Ben-Hur Sacopla Southern Luzon State University ASPAP - Region IV
Ms. Eirene Aguila Team RP
Prof. Leonor M. Briones Social Watch Philippines
Ms. Mae V. Buenaventura Women's Legal Bureau, Inc.
Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez Focus on the Global South - Philippines Program
Mr. Ramon Tuazon Philippines Communication Society
