Transparency and Accountability Network

Access to Information Network

The Access to Informaton Network is composed of civil society and media organizations and the academe, which have been pushing for the enactment of the Freedom of Information bill since the 14th Congress. Its members include Action for Economic Reforms, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communications, Ateneo Debate Society, Ateneo School of Government, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, LIBERTAS, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Pagbabago@Pilipinas, Philippine Center for Investigative Jouranlism, and Transparency and Accountability Network.

FOI Bill: Certify Urgent!

03 December 2012 Leslie Flores

The Freedom of Information bill (FOI) in the Senate and in the House of Representatives has advanced despite the odds, having passed the respective committees. FOI is now at a critical juncture, which will determine its passage in this 15^th Congress.

Given that time is running out in the 15^th Congress, we appeal tothe Senate and House leadership, as well as to the Executive, to accord its passage the urgency it deserves.

It is within their powers to pass the FOI bill in the 15th Congress despite the time constraint.

The Senators can make good their earlier commitments to pass the FOI bill. They must find time to proceed with interpellation, amendments, and passage on second and third reading before they adjourn for the December break.

In the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules, through the Majority Leader, is empowered to declare a bill urgent, and to set the number of days or hours to be allotted for the consideration of the bill in plenary, and when vote on the bill shall be taken.

To start the process, we demand that Rep. Evardone gives justice to the 17 members of the House who voted to approve the committee report last November 27, by submitting it to plenary today (Monday, December 3). The House leadership must then include the FOI bill in the Order of Business beginning this week.

R2KRN's statement: Non-Passage of the FOI Bill in the 15th Congress is Not Acceptable

12 November 2012 Leslie Flores

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

A little over three months ago, Speaker Belmonte uttered these words to summon his colleagues in the House of Representatives to work harder and faster on bills pending in the chamber, not least of them the FOI (Freedom of Information) bill. This clarion call may well be addressed not only to the House, but to the Senate, the Executive, and the public as well.

Starting Nov. 5, the FOI bill enters a most critical stage. There would only be 35 working days left before Congress again adjourns on December 21. Session will resume for only 15 working days next year from January 21 to February 8, after which legislative work virtually grinds to a halt to give way to the campaign for the May 13, 2013 elections.

While time is running out, the FOI bill can still take a different path than it did under the 14th Congress of Speaker Prospero Nograles and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, if only the House of Representatives, the Senate, and President Benigno S. Aquino III will take decisive action now.

Push, Pass the FOI Act Now!

16 August 2012 Leslie Flores

In 1986 at EDSA, the first people power revolt ended 21 years of a government so dark and so opaque, and ushered in one of light and transparency. The strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos was vanquished and democracy icon Corazon C. Aquino came to power.

A year later, the 1987 Constitution enshrined state policies of full transparency and accountability in the conduct of all public officials and employees, and of full public disclosure of information vested with public interest. The Constitution upheld the people’s right to know and be informed about all policies, projects, and programs of government that involve use of taxpayers’ money.

It is now 2012, or over 26 years after EDSA. Filipinos today are the most exuberant in their exercise of the freedoms of speech, of the press, and of peaceable assembly for redress of just grievances. But one other inelienable freedom that the Constitution also guarantees — Freedom of Information — remains just a bill perpetually stuck in the legislative wringer over the last 14 years, hobbled by the discombobulating “concerns” of the Executive, and mocked by restrictive administrative fiats of the judiciary, the House of Representatives, and even the Office of the Ombudsman.

Download Malacanang-amended version of the FOI bill

12 March 2012 Transparency & Accountability Network

On 13 March 2012, 1:30 pm, the House Committee on Public Information will hold a hearing on the Freedom of Information bill. It will be held at Conference Rooms 1&2 of the Ramon V. Mitra Building, Batasan, Quezon City.

For your reference, you may download the Malacanang-amended version of the bill from this site.

Just go to the "Downloads" tab and search for the document, "Freedom of Information bill- Malacanang-amended version."

For more information, you may get in touch with Reylynne F. Dela Paz at 09228266775.

Thank you!