CODE-NGO Pushes For Freedom of Information Bill,
Making Progress but Still Facing Major Obstacles

The on-going Impeachment Trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona  highlights the importance of access to  information contained in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of public officials as a key factor in the prevention of corruption. Similarly, access to information on public matters from all branches of government is a vital tool for advocacy, be it on human rights, extrajudicial killings, anti-corruption, health, or any other arena.

The right to information on public matters is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution but remains without an enacting law until now. This access to information opens up data and documents that may uncover anomalies, point to misdeeds, or be used as basis for advocacy research. As the Impeachment Trial has shown, this access is not always provided, sometimes by an agency to other co-equal branches of government, and more so to civil society. 

The CODE-NGO General Assembly last November 30, 2011 passed a Resolution, “Calling for the Immediate Approval of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill”. An FOI Law is a trademark characteristic of countries that truly espouse the values of good governance, transparency, and accountability, which is why it is included as one of the primary requirements for countries which are part of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). The OGP is currently co-chaired by the United States and Brazil and the Philippines is one of its founding members when it was created in September 2011.

The FOI Bill was part of the platform of President Aquino during his campaign but was not endorsed by his administration until late 2011.  This had been cited as an excuse of the House Committee Chair on Public Information Cong. Ben Evardone who seems to be lukewarm to the passage of the bill.  President Aquino’s recent endorsement, however, opens up a new chance for the bill to progress from the House and Senate Committee level. The bill does not lack for opponents in the House though, and this new development only calls for civil society to consolidate its efforts, rally its champions, and finally bring this law into fruition.

CODE-NGO engages in FOI advocacy as part of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, and enjoys the full support of its member NGO networks in this endeavour. – by Jet Pacapac, Program Specialist for Advocacy, CODE-NGO.