City attorney: Sessions shall be open to the public

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City (Negros Occidental) legal officer Guillermo Tejida III objected to the City Council’s resolution prohibiting video recordings of its session, saying that deliberations shall be open to the public.

Tejida, responding to the query of the mayor’s executive assistant Ranie Azue, said the law does not prohibit any lawful activity to be performed by the public such as videotaping of the council’s proceedings, except for closed-door sessions or for public interests on the grounds of security, decency or morality.

The city lawyer said videotaping of council sessions does not delve into issues of security, decency, or morality and it neither endangers public interest. “Videotaping could be validly exercised by any person for the greater public interest and welfare and as matter of right in the 1987 Constitution,” he said.

Tejida said that the case of Azue, who had been video recording the sessions, was done in open public proceedings that were not declared as closed-door, thus tagging the act as unnecessary would be to effectively transgress upon the public’s right to be informed of matters of public concerns.

“When no less than the Congress and in some instances the Supreme Court allow the videotaping of their proceedings as a matter of public’s right to know and be informed, there is no cogent reason for the Talisay Council to disallow the same,” said Tejida.

“To stretch the spirit and intent of the law so as to effectively curtail the public’s right to know and be informed on matters affecting them, would result in an act beyond the powers of the council to perform,” he said.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Charles Benedict Lacson and approved last August 13, stated that starting August 20 any video recording of the sessions “is not allowed without prior approval and authority from the council.”

The resolution further said that, several months ago, the council requested Azue to present the letter he allegedly sent to and was approved by Talisay Vice Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Neil Lizares III asking permission to get video recording of the sessions. However, the council did not receive such letter or any request for permission before Azue did the taping.  (FREEMAN)