House eyes FOI approval this year

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives is aiming to approve the freedom of information (FOI) bill, which would replace the executive order issued by President Duterte that covers only the executive branch of government, within the year.        

“I think we can do it, pass the FOI bill before the year is over,” Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez told reporters yesterday.       

He said he would ask Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas if floor debates on the measure could be started even while the House is tackling the bill re-imposing the death penalty.

“I support the proposed FOI law because I am for transparency in governance,” Alvarez added.

On Wednesday, the House committee on public information endorsed its version of the proposed FOI law, the bill titled “An Act strengthening the people’s right to information” that will cover all branches of government, including the usually secretive military and police organizations, and the Supreme Court.

The bill grants citizens access to official records and documents, subject to certain exceptions.

It will require the president, vice president, members of the Cabinet, lawmakers, justices of the Supreme Court, members of constitutional commissions and military officers with general or flag rank to post their annual statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) in their agencies’ websites.

At present, only the president, vice president, Cabinet members and lawmakers release a summary of what is contained in their SALNs.

Upon request by a legitimate media organization, the SC may give out a summary of the wealth statements of its members.

Generals in the military and police officers with equivalent rank do not reveal their assets, liabilities and net worth.

The proposed FOI law will require all other agencies to post in their websites information about their operations, including finances and contracts, and mandate state officers to promote openness in government.

Data to be exempted from disclosure include those pertaining to national security, foreign affairs, those classified as secret by a presidential issuance, information whose revelation would jeopardize law enforcement activities or investigations, information classified as privileged communication by courts and information relating to monetary policies.

The FOI bill lays down the procedure for citizens to follow in accessing official data and records.

A freedom of information request has to be filed with the concerned agency, which would be given 15 days to act on it. If the concerned officer denies the request, an appeal may be lodged with the next higher-ranking official.

If such official denies it, the citizen may file an appeal with the court.

Violators will face administrative sanctions and imprisonment of one month to six months.

A congressional oversight committee composed of six senators and six congressmen will be created to oversee the implementation of citizen access to official data and documents.

Malacañang praised the House public information committee for approving the FOI bill, saying the measure would help the government in its campaign against corruption.

“The FOI, long overdue, is an essential component of the President’s anti-corruption drive as it promotes greater transparency, openness and accountability in governance,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement.  

Abella added approving the FOI bill affirms the government’s social contract with the people.