NextGen Day

MANILA – Malacanang has reiterated its plea for Congress to immediately pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, as requested by the Duterte administration.

Acting Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Undersecretary Michel Kristian Ablan renewed his appeal, admitting that “convincing legislators to pass the [proposed] FOI law” is the “most difficult” component of implementing FOI.

When questioned about his message to Congress, Ablan, who also acts as the FOI program director, remarked in his “Just So You Know” vlog posted on the FOI Philippines’ official Facebook page, “Pass the FOI law today.”

When asked why the long-awaited Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) should be voted into law, Ablan stated it would encourage transparency in government dealings and assist build public trust.

“Transparency must be preserved.” Transparency is vital for developing trust, and trust increases government efficiency, according to Ablan.

The issuance of Executive Order (EO) 2 by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 23, 2016 grants public access to official documents and transactions in all state departments and offices under the Executive Branch.

A Filipino citizen can obtain any information on government transactions and operations under EO 2 by producing evidence of education to the competent state agency or by submitting a request online at www.foi.gov.ph.

All government offices under the Executive Branch, including government-owned or controlled businesses (GOCCs) and state institutions and colleges, can make a FOI request (SUCs).

Information, official records, public records, and documents and papers on official activities, transactions, or decisions, as well as government research data used as the foundation for policy creation, are available to those who make a request.

The policy establishes the Presidential Communications Operations Office as the principal government agency for implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which aims to increase public transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.

As the FOI program director, Ablan stated the “greatest thing” he learned is that government departments under the Executive Department are prepared to give information on transactions impacting the public interest.

“FOI was able to open government offices’ doors and windows to the Filipino people,” he stated.

Given that the law is still pending in Congress, Ablan advised voters to double-check that their favored candidates for the 2018 elections “would support and approve the FOI bill.”

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) aims to broaden the scope of transparent government by requiring agencies to publish information on projects and other subjects of public concern.

The construction of a mechanism to refer and transfer requests to suitable agencies, as well as the creation of a records management system, are two of the bill’s main elements.

The bill requires government agencies to reply to a Freedom of Information Act request within 15 days of receiving it.

The construction of a central appeals and review committee for all FOI compliant agencies in the three major levels of government — Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary — will also be established, as well as an oversight body known as the Freedom of Information Commission.

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