IN THE past six years of the Duterte administration, both houses of Congress failed to come up with a law on Freedom of Information.
Now, with a fresh set of legislators under the Marcos administration, will the House of Representatives and Senate now have the balls to pass a law on Freedom of Information?
Free access to information is not only a constitutional right, it is also a practical tool to eliminate corruption, improve government services and uplift the economy in the end. The release of information on matters of public concern, such as on government contracts, is part of our constant search for truth and accountability.
Government offices must be required to answer all queries for information – some suggested within two days only – under pain of stiff penalties, unless sufficient justification is given. An office may only refuse to provide information when this would jeopardize the privacy of individuals, national security, public order, foreign diplomatic and economic relations, and trade secrets of private entities.
To compel disclosure of information in case a government body refuses on whatever grounds, the Office of the Ombudsman must be mandated to hear any complaints of not being properly assisted by the pertinent government body.
Then President Duterte’s Executive Order on Freedom of Information signed in July 2016 (covering the executive department only) should have been the impetus for Congress to pass a similar law to institutionalize transparency in governance across all branches of government and ensure the public’s right to information.
Past administrations tended to stonewall calls for the truth, transparency and accountability. This must not be repeated. The nation’s development must be founded on trust and dialogue between the people and the State, fueled by the free flow of information.
