Manila: President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the executive order for the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, aimed at improving transparency in transactions involving the government.
FOI was proposed during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
The FOI lays out reforms and initiatives that not only provide for greater transparency but also accountability and citizen participation in governance.
According to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, the executive order mandates all offices under the executive branch of government to provide full public disclosure of any information involving the government.
“Heads of government agencies could face administrative case if they violate the executive order on the FOI,” said Andanar.
In the past, government personnel and agencies accused of wrongdoing would stonewall investigators or withhold information on the details of transactions by invoking state security laws.
According to Andanar the executive order also covers government-owned-and-controlled corporations, state universities and local government units.
The term “information” refers to “any records, documents, papers, reports, letters, contracts, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, map, books, photos, data, research materials, films, sound and video recording [magnetic or other tapes], electronic data computer store data or similar data or materials recorded stored or archived.”
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), which had been pushing for the passage of the edict, said that it welcomes the passage of the FOI.
“The signing of the executive order is a swift fulfilment of a promise he [Duterte] made during his campaign. This is a gesture we are sure not only media but everybody who believes transparency and accountability [are] indispensable to good governance and democracy highly appreciates,” said Dabet Panelo, NUJP Secretary General.
“Although the bill seems better than the version of the bill that the previous administration had endorsed in Congress, we hope that any exceptions to the executive order’s coverage will not dilute its essence and intent,” he said in a statement.
Aside from being open with details of government transactions, the law also “reminds” public officials to file their Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and make it available for public scrutiny.
SALN are one of the means to determine if a public official is engaged in corruption.
According to the executive orders, Filipinos who need information on certain transaction can request these details through a letter of request sent to the concerned office along with a valid proof of identity.
“No person requesting for information shall be denied access unless the information sought falls under any of the exception enshrined in the constitution existing law or jurisprudence,” according to the executive order.
