19 July 2011

We are organizations and individuals from various sectors of Philippine society who are advocates of freedom of information (FOI), a right guaranteed by our Constitution.  Today we launch Bantay FOI! Sulong FOI!, the new phase of our campaign to coincide with the start of the second regular session of the 15th Congress. We also launch the Bantay FOI! Sulong FOI! online network and database, which will serve as our campaign news and outreach platform.

Three key activities define Bantay FOI! Sulong FOI!:

First, it demonstrates our relentless push for the passage of the long-awaited Freedom of Information (FOI) law in the Philippines.

Second, it involves close monitoring by the citizens and civil society groups of how President Aquino and the leaders of Congress will respond to the people’s clamor for an FOI law.

Third, it underpins the multiple, parallel actions and initiatives that we continue to launch to exact greater transparency and responsive public service from all government agencies.

Why FOI?
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Section 7 of our Bill of Rights of the Constitution has been upheld by the Supreme Court to be enforceable even without an implementing law. However, in practice, many government agencies and officials take only token action on citizens’ requests for information and documents. All too often, they have resorted to routine rebuffs of the people’s right to information, absent the necessary substantive and procedural details that only Congress can provide. Similarly, the state policy of full disclosure of all transactions involving public interest under Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution, requires an enabling mechanism.
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Now more than ever, with the Aquino Administration committing to uphold transparency and good governance in all its affairs, we need an FOI law.
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By the precept “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap,” President Aquino has built his government.
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By the precept “Kung walang FOI, dadami ang corrupt, dadami ang mahirap,” we now scale up our campaign.
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Now more than ever, we need an FOI law:
– To provide uniform and definite procedures for dealing with requests for information;
– To clearly define exceptions;
– To secure for us effective remedies in cases of denial of access;
– To require the disclosure of important government transactions without need of request; and
– To impose criminal and administrative sanctions for violation of our right to information.

​​Now more than ever, we need an FOI law to institutionalize transparency as the mandatory norm, rather than a discretionary matter, for all elective and appointive officials, across all branches of government.

With an FOI law, we envision an empowered and vigilant citizenry that will make full and responsible use of the right to information to secure government services, exact accountability from government officials in the use of public funds and the exercise of governmental powers, and facilitate the effective exercise of related rights of citizenship such as participation in policy-making and governance.

Coming from the tragic fate suffered by the FOI bill at the House of Representatives in the 14th Congress, for a while we looked to the new Aquino administration with hope that soon our nation will finally have an FOI law. After all, an FOI law is an indispensable foundation for the fulfillment of his administration’s promise of a righteous government. After all, weeks after his victory as the nation’s 15th President, he had promised in no uncertain terms that he will see after its passage.

Our hopes were dashed, however, when, eight months into his administration during the first Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), the President failed to enroll the FOI bill among his priority legislative measures.
Yet still we engaged the Executive branch, particularly the President’s Communications Group and Budget and Management Secretary Florencio ‘Butch’ Abad, in constructive dialogue. Indeed, while the bill covers all branches and levels of government, the effective implementation of an FOI law requires a committed Executive branch as it is the biggest generator and custodian of information.

The process of dialogue with the Executive, in close coordination with Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” R. Tañada III as the bill’s lead champion in Congress and the President’s fellow stalwart in the ruling Liberal Party, has yielded both encouraging and disappointing results.

The encouraging result: We have agreed on a number of revisions to the FOI bill that carefully balances the people’s right to access information with the concerns supposedly expressed by the President and some of his Cabinet secretaries.
The disappointing result: To this day, with only a week to go before Mr. Aquino’s second State-of-the-Nation Address, this redrafted bill has not been discussed with, nor approved by, the President. According to Cabinet members, the FOI bill might not merit special mention in the SONA. By all indications, the FOI bill is stuck in Executive inertia.
To breathe life into the bill, Cabinet members say that FOI advocates would do well to roll out two initiatives: One, mount an even more vigorous public advocacy campaign. And two, prod parties deemed to be influential on the President to prod him to put the FOI bill on fast-track mode. These influential parties supposedly include some business leaders, some Church leaders, and the donor community.

In truth, if only Malacañang had bothered to listen, these are all supporters of the FOI bill who have already spoken clearly about the need for the President to push the law’s passage. Too, they are among the over 150 individuals and groups that comprise the Bantay FOI! Sulong FOI! network.

Interestingly, the Aquino administration has taken a significant role in a global initiative for greater government transparency. It sits in the steering committee of the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral, eight-country initiative launched by US President Barack Obama “to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance”.

Just last July 12, the governments of the US and Brazil, together with the steering committee, convened at the US Department of State premises a high-level international meeting on how to take the initiative forward.
Malacañang must understand: Its desire to assume an honored place in the world stage as one of the leading lights of transparency in the world will not fly unless it commits to the immediate passage of the FOI Act in the Philippines.

Our pledge
Over the last 14 months, the FOI advocates have waited, and engaged Malacañang in open and honest dialogue. Whatever action the President takes on its draft FOI bill, nothing should stop our senators and congressmen from acting on the FOI bills now pending before the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Babantayan namin: Will President Aquino finally express his clear and unequivocal support for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act in his SONA on July 25, 2011?

Babantayan namin: Will Sen. Gregorio Honasan and Rep. Ben Evardone, who chair the respective committees on public information of the two chambers, bring the FOI bill to plenary early into the second regular session of the 15th Congress?

Babantayan namin: Will the Senate and the House of Representatives move the bill past the congressional wringer sans undue and unreasonable delay?

Higit sa lahat, babantayan namin: Who will work to mangle, cripple, and crush the FOI bill?

Transparency
Even as we make another determined push for the passage of the FOI law, we do not lose sight of the importance of existing mechanisms and initiatives to promote greater transparency in the government.
​Our member-organizations will continue their monitoring and clamor for full disclosure of government procurement and public works contracts, the appointments to critical government offices, and the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth of public officials.

We are ready and willing to cooperate with government agencies proactively instituting transparency mechanisms, such as the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Nonetheless, we must stress that these transparency initiatives by certain executive agencies are for now the exception rather than the rule. These initiatives form, too, just half the equation of what constitutes the people’s right to know. The more essential other half requires all government agencies to disclose within reasonable time periods all documents and information vested with public interest on request of citizens.

We emphasize that ultimately, only an FOI law could guarantee stable, predictable and strategic transparency across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, all constitutional commissions, all administrative bodies, all GOCCs, and all local governments.

Today, we reaffirm our commitment to fight for our freedom of information. Together, we will work to expand our ranks, raise public awareness, build consensus, actively engage Malacañang and Congress, and intensify our campaign to have the Freedom of Information Act passed within the second regular session of the 15th Congress.
It is plain and simple: the people’s right to know is a constitutionally guaranteed right. It is not a matter subject to negotiation with public officials or lawmakers, or to the discretion of whichever party is in power.

Bantay FOI! Sulong FOI!

Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition Signatories:

1.Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan – Institute for Freedom of Information
2.Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin – Transparency and Accountability Network
3.Ms. Malou Mangahas, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
4.Ms. Adelina Alvarez, Mr. Red Batario – Center for Community Journalism and Development
5.Atty. Roberto Cadiz – LIBERTAS
6.Prof. Luis Teodoro – Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
7.Ms. Rowena Paraan, Mr. Sonny Fernandez, Mr. Nestor Burgos – National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
8.Mr. Ramon Tuazon, Dr. Madeline B. Qiamco – Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
9.Dean Antonio La Viña – Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
10.Bishop Broderick Pabillo – Auxillary Bishop, Manila; National Director of CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action Justice&Peace (NASSA-JP)
11.Mr. Peter Angelo V. Perfecto – Makati Business Club
12.Mr. Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III    – Action for Economic Reforms
13.Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid – Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission and  Chair, Communication, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines
14.Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez – Focus on the Global South – Philippines
15.Ms. Annie Geron – Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
16.Mr. Sixto Donato Macasaet – CODE-NGO
17.Mr. Isagani Serrano – Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
18.Bishop  Benny M. Abante, Jr. – BIBLEMODE International; Chairman, Committee on Public Information, 14th Congress
19.Mr. Joshua Mata – Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)    
20.Ms. Yuen Abana – Partido ng Manggagawa
21.Ms. Precy Bellomes – MAKABAYAN
22.Mr. Teody Navea, Mr. Gem de Guzman- Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
23.Atty. Virginia S. Jose – Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)
24.Ms. Judy Pasimio – Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center – Kasama sa Kalikasan
25.Ms. Starjoan Villanueva – Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)
26.Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, Ms. Mercedes Fabros – WomanHealth Philippines
27.Prof. Leonor M. Briones – Social Watch Philippines
28.Dr. Rene Ofreneo – Center for Labor Justice
29.Mr. Jun S. Aguilar, Mr. Elso Cabangon – Filipino Migrant Workers
30.Atty. Eirene Jhone E. Aguila, Mr. Harvey Keh – Team RP; Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership
31.Ms. Jelen Paclarin – Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau    
32.Mr. Joseph Purugganan – EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines; Stop the New Round Coalition
33.Mr. Milo Tanchuling, Ms. Maitet Diokno-Pascual – Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
34.Mr. Ted Ong – Freedom from Debt Coalition – Iloilo
35.Dr. Sixto K. Roxas – Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Development
36.Judge Dolores L. Español (Ret.) – Transparency International – Philippines
37.Mr. Al Alegre – Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
38.Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III – National College of Public Administration and Governance
39.Atty. Tanya Lat – IDEALS
40.Mr. Raul Socrates Banzuela – PAKISAMA
41.Mr. Chester Amparo – Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
42.Mr. Lisandro Claudio, Mr. Jeffrey Crisostomo- Akbayan Youth
43.Mr. Ramon Tuazon – Philippines Communication Society
44.Mr. Pablo Rosales – Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda (PANGISDA); Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKMM)
45.Mr. Crispino Aguelo – Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
46.Ms. Karen Tañada – Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute
47.Prof. Gigi Francisco – Development Alternatives for Women in the New Era (DAWN)
48.Mr. Byron Abadeza – Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific
49.Mr. Abby Y. Pato – Task Force on Food Sovereignty – Mindanao
50.Ms. Carolyn Arguillas – MindaNews
51.Mr. Abner Francisco – DXCA – FM
52.Mr. Rey Hulog – Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
53.Ms. Angelica Simone Mangahas    – Ateneo Debate Society
54.Mr. Bartholome Guingona – pagbabago@pilipinas
55.Ms. Ellene Sana – Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
56.Ms. Ester Perez Tagle – Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
57.Ms. Luz Malibiran –     Community Organizers Multiversity
58.Mr. Doy Cinco – Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
59.Ms. Arze Glipo – Integrated Rural Development Foundation
60.Mr. Ric Serrano, Mr. Roland Cabigas- La Liga Policy Institute
61.Mr. Rey Rasing – Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
62.Ms. Paulyn Duman – UP Law Student Government
63.Mr. Ed Mora – Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas
64.Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez – Center for People Empowerment in Governance
65.Dr. Buenaventura B. Dargantes – Program on Integrated Water Resources     
66.Mr. Boy Nuera – Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
67.Mr. Roy Calfoforo – People’s Alternative Studies Center for Research and Education in Social Develoment (PASCRES)
68.Mr. Alain Pascua – Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
69.Mr. Reggie Guillen – GCAP-Phils
70.Mr. Horacio T. Cadiz    – The Philippine Network Foundation, Inc (PHNET)
71.Mr. Joe Valencia – KASAPI-HELLAS
72.Mr. Nestor Villanueva – Akbayan Greece
73.Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido – Negros Peace Watch
74.Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran – Philippines Communication Society
75.Ms. Aurora Regalado – Management Organization for Development and Empowerment
76.Mr. Ernesto Lim Jr. – People’s Campaign on Agrarian Reform (AR NOW!)
77.Mr. Anthony Marzan – KAISAHAN
78.Mr. Nonoy Oplas – Minimal Government Thinkers
79.Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera – Alyansa Tigil Mina
80.Ms. Luz Cabucos-Fegarido – RSW
81.Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Tison – Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
82.Ms. Trinidad Domingo    – Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
83.Mr. Richard Gutierrez – Ban Toxics
84.Mr. Czarina Sacaguing – Confederation of Student Government in the Philippines
85.Dr. Ma. Olivia Domingo – Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, UP NCPAG
86.Dr. Angelo Ramos – Philippine Community e-Center Network
87.Ms. Mae Sabio – Sulong CARPER
88.Mr. Diosdado Calmada – PEACE
89.Ms. Lanie Factor – Task Force Mapalad
90.Ms. Maris Dela Cruz-Cardenas – EmPOWER Consumers
91.Atty. Elpidio Peria    – Third World Network; Vice Chairman, Social Concerns Committee, IBP South Cotabato – General Santos City
92.Mr. Angelito R. Mendoza – Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency     
93.Mr. Omi Royandoyan – Centro Saka
94.Ms. Florencia Casanova-Dorotan – Women’s Action Network for Development
95.Ms. Violeta Corral – Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan
96.Ms. Michelle Domocol    – Visayas Climate Action Network
97.Ms. Maita Gomez – Bantay Kita
98.College Editors Guild of the Philippines
99.Ms. Emy M. Santos – National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
100.Ms. Tes M. Borgoños – Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (MAKALAYA)
101.Ms. Marilyn Fuentes – National Union of Building and Construction Workers
102.Atty. Michael Yu – Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Cebu City Chapter
103.Dr. Sylvia  Estrada Claudio – Center for Women’s Studies, University of the Philippines
104.Ms. Tin Borja – UP ALYANSA
105.Ms. Mabel Ogoshi – UP BUKLOD CSSP
106.Mr. Romeo Cabugnasan – Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
107.Mr. Gus Miclat – Initiative for International Dialogue
108.Mr. Antonio Claparols, Mr. Javier Claparols- Ecological Society of the Philippines
109.Dr. Helen N. Mendoza – Soljuspax
110.Ms. Maria Rita Melecio – Task Force Detainees of the Philippines – Davao
111.Mr. Juanito Enriquez – Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace
112.Ms. Edeliza Hernandez – Medical Action Group
113.Ms. Laudica Casana – Anda Rural Women Workers Alliance for Progress
114.Ms. Flordeliz Abanto – Philippine Association of Communication Educators Foundation, Inc. (PACE)
115.Ms. Victoria M. Segovia – Partnership for Clean Air
116.Ms. Grace Chua – Consumer Rights for Safe Food        
117.Ms. Noemi Tirona – Network Opposed to GMOs
118.Ms. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz – Ang Nars
119.Mr. Manny C. Calonzo – Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
120.Ms. Paula Mae B. Tanquieng – Ayos na Gamot sa Abot-Kayang Presyo (AGAP)
121.Ms. Annie M. Sandalo – Code Foundation, Inc.
122.Ed Caharian – Philippine Agency for Community and Family
123.Fr. Victor “Junvic” Diolata, Jr., SSS, Fr. Jesus Malit, SSS, Sr. Mary John Mannanzan, OSB – Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Pilippines (AMRSP)
124.Mr. Narciso Jover Jr. – Tri-people Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM)
125.Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Atty. Dante T. Ramos – Phil. Earth Justice Center, Inc.
126.Maria V. Mendoza – Fair Trade Alliance – Philippines (FairTrade)
127.Mr. Tirso N. Paglicawan, Jr., Mr. Dante Dean M. Barola – Kapisanan ng mga Kawani ng Koreo sa Pilipinas (KKKP); Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement, Inc.
128.Mr. Manuel G. Rama – PhilPost Rank-and-File Employees Association
129.Ms. Marlene Ramirez – AsiaDHRRA
130.Ms. Minerva Gonzales – Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Asia
131.Mr. Angelito Calderon – Lakas Mangagawa Labor Center (LMLC)
132.Ms. Ember Cruz – Trade Advocates Group
133.Ms. Mary Joycer Filomeno – Youth Advocates for Economic Progress (YAEP)
134.Ms. Eileen Matute – Coconut Industry Reform Movement (COIR)
135.Mr. David Diwa – National Labor Union
136.Mr. Angel Dimalanta – Automotive Industry Workers Alliance
137.Mr. Ritz Lee B. Santos III – Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw (BALAOD Mindanaw); Amnesty International – Cagayan de Oro
138.Ms. Lia Jasmin Esquillo – Interface Development Interventions
139.Mr. Nazaño Cacayan – Yamog Foundation
140.Mr. Frank Meno – Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA)
141.Mr. Eleuterio Tuazon – Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions
142.Mr. Ronaldo Tuazon    – Workers Welfare Watch – Philippines
143.Mr. John Gamit – Christian Life Community of the Philippines
144.Mr. Manny Arias – Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Mangagawa sa Pilipinas
145.Ms. Romina Astrid Lim – Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest Project
146.James Auste – Cancer Warriors Foundation
147.Mr. Vince Cinches – Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc.
148.Dr. Suzette H. Lazo, MD
149.Mr. Ronald Adlawan – Youth for Nationalism and Democracy
150.Fr. Carmelo O. Diola – Dilaab Foundation Inc.
151.Mr. Roberto Versola, Mr. Riedo Panaligan – Philippine Greens
152.Ms. Evangeline Crisostomo Escobillo
153.Mr. Felipe Buencamino
154.Ms. Jessica Reyes-Cantos – Rice Watch and Action Network
155.Prof. Michael Alba – UP School of Economics
156.Walter I. Balane – Bukidnon Press Club
157.Mr. Ernest Francis Calayag – Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership (MOVE UP), UP Los Banos