Today the nation joins other countries in celebrating International Right to Know Day as the long wait continues for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. Lawmakers are again going through the motions of considering a measure that has been kicked around for a decade. Not even the daang matuwid administration’s professed focus against corruption could secure the passage of the FOI law in the 15th Congress.
Advocates of public access to information held by state agencies proposed the designation of Sept. 28 as International Right to Know Day at a meeting in Bulgaria way back in 2002. More than 90 countries now have laws on access to information while about 30 others are deliberating on the passage of such measures.
Democratic Philippines should have been among the first to pass an FOI law, which aims to promote transparent and accountable governance. An FOI law can make public officials think twice before misusing people’s money including the pork barrel and other discretionary funds, or lying on their official statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.
Instead FOI proponents have encountered stiff resistance to the measure from all three branches of government. All sorts of arguments have been raised to block the passage of the FOI law, including the possibility of certain officials being targeted for kidnapping.
Some of the concerns over the potential for misuse of official information are valid, especially in matters of national security and public safety. But these concerns can be addressed through effective legislation. Safeguards can be built into the FOI law and penalties can be imposed for the irresponsible exercise of the right to know.
While Congress drags its feet on the FOI, the executive can promote transparency by requiring the posting of certain types of information, particularly involving government procurement, on agency websites. The technology is there, it’s free, and there are enough tech-savvy public servants who can do the job. This won’t even require legislation; an executive order will suffice. All it needs is political will, and a commitment beyond lip service to transparency.