Category: Freedom of Information

Netizens unite: Pass FOI now, curb misuse of people’s money

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LET’S HEAR it from Netizens.

In a joint statement on Friday, Netizens writing for various blog networks pledged their support and gigabytes to the growing multi-sectoral clamor for the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, before the 15th Congress packs up and goes.

Ten senior bloggers who signed the statement that was read at the press conference of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition called on the members of the House of Representatives to “pass the FOI bill NOW… without delay and distraction.”

The bloggers raised three arguments for the FOI’s immediate passage, notably:

* The bill “breathes life into the constitutional mandate of transparency and accountability… and compels the Government to fulfill a promise that has persistently been broken.”

* The bill “enables the people to be vigilant over the use of public funds,” and upholds “(our) right to guard our taxes — The People’s Money — against theft and wasteful spending.”

* The bill “assures faster, more reliable delivery of basic and essential information for its citizens — guaranteeing access to public documents that affect our lives — whether these affect private lives or properties, or whether these affect public policy.”

The FOI bill must pass, they said, without need for a right-of-reply (RoR) provision “that imposes a chilling effect on responsible citizens otherwise eager to speak truth or facts without the burden of harassment by politicians who wield awesome influence or resources.”

Citing libel laws, self-regulation policies in place in media agencies, and “the Terms of Service of individual social media providers,” the Netizens nixed the inclusion of an RoR clause in the FOI bill.

“The push now for Right of Reply is designed, in great part, to minimize the impact of FOI on the forthcoming elections, even though it is during electoral campaigns when discussion of public matters is most urgent and vital,” the Netizens said.

Here is the full text of the Netizens’ statement:

Statement On the Immediate Passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act
18 January 2013

WE, Netizens of the Philippines, call on the House of Representatives to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill NOW.

First, the FOI breathes life into the constitutional mandate of transparency and accountability of our Government. It compels the Government to fulfill a promise that has persistently been broken.

Second, the FOI Bill enables the people to be vigilant over the use of public funds with further guarantees of transparency and oversight. We have the right to guard our taxes — The People’s Money — against theft and wasteful spending.

Third, the FOI Bill assures faster, more reliable delivery of basic and essential information for its citizens — guaranteeing access to public documents that affect our lives — whether these affect private lives or properties, or whether these affect public policy.

The FOI Bill needs to pass without delay or distraction.

We, the Netizens, further call on the Congress to pass the FOI Bill without a right-of-reply (RoR) rider that is so inconsistent with the Constitution:

a) It imposes a chilling effect on responsible citizens otherwise eager to speak truth or facts without the burden of harassment by politicians who wield awesome influence or resources.

b) There already exist constitutional measures designed to counteract defamatory expression concerning public officials or matters, such as the laws and jurisprudence on libel, the Terms of Service of individual social media providers, or the policies of self-regulatory bodies of press organizations.

c) The push now for Right of Reply is designed, in great part, to minimize the impact of FOI on the forthcoming elections, even though it is during electoral campaigns when discussion of public matters is most urgent and vital.

As such we Netizens, call on the Members of Congress who have pledged to support and pass the FOI Bill to do so NOW.

We Netizens ask the public to join us in urging that the FOI Bill be passed now.

Signed by:

Noemi Lardizabal -Dado (@momblogger), Blog Watch
Cocoy Dayao, (@cocoy), Democracy.Net.PH
Francis Acero, (@francisacero), Democracy.Net.PH
Oliver Reyes (@ageofbrillig), Democracy.Net.Ph
Pierre Tito Galla, (@jesterinexile), Democracy.Net.PH
Cecille Soria,(@ceso), Democracy.Net.PH
Jane Uymatiao (@philippinebeat), Blog Watch
Juned Sonido (@juned),,Democracy.Net.PH , Baratillo Pamphlet
Angelo Louise Lopez (@GeloLopez) , Blog Watch
Oliver Robillo, @blogie, BlogPress.ph

The youth’s clamor: Pass FOI first, court votes later

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LET’S HEAR it from the youth and students.

In a joint statement, leaders of 68 student councils and youth organizations across the nation urged the members of the House of Representatives to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill before the 15th Congress takes another long recess on Feb. 8, 2013.

“FOI is our issue, too,” said Carlo Brolagda, co-convenor of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) and chairperson of the student council of University of the Philippines College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.

“We young people, who will eventually inherit this government, want institutionalized mechanisms for transparency and accountability of public officials and offices,” he said.

“Let our generation be defined not just by the laws passed during our youth, but more so by the actions that we have undertaken to ensure that they are enacted.”

The FOI Youth Initiative (FYI), called on Congress to “cement its reputation as the House of the People that has successfully enacted relevant progressive legislation for the rights and welfare of Filipinos.”

A member of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, FYI said lawmakers should keep the momentum for reform laws going. “Failing to pass the FOI Bill would make the House fall short of fully gaining the trust of the people in its winning streak of passing long-awaited laws,” FYI said.

Citing that the Senate has done its part by finally approving the FOI bill on third and final reading last December, Brolagda said, “we believe that it isn’t too much to ask for the House to do the same before the 15th Congress ends and before many of its members go on campaign mode for the elections.”

“Aside from possible problems in House members’ attendance, we also have to deal with legislators who are adamant in having an anti-press freedom Right of Reply provision in the bill,” Brolagda said. “Some are misled into thinking that the FOI Law will only cater to the media. They are completely mistaken because this measure will benefit all citizens.”

Meanwhile, FYI co-convenor Chris Alquizalas, councilor of the UP College of Social Science and Philosophy student council, called on his fellow young leaders to help in lobbying for the bill by engaging their Representatives in Congress.

“We have to make them realize that FOI is our issue, too. We young people, who will eventually inherit this government, want institutionalized mechanisms for transparency and accountability of public officials and offices,” said Alquizalas.

“Let our generation be defined not just by the laws passed during our youth, but more so by the actions that we have undertaken to ensure that they are enacted.”

The FYI said it supports the call of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition for President Aquino and the House leadership to certify the FOI Bill as urgent. The group promised to be watchful of the proceedings in the House as it winds down towards adjournment before the 2013 elections.

The FOI Youth Initiative is composed of the following student councils and youth organizations:

• College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• BUKLOD CSSP, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP), University of the Philippines – Los Baños
• UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – UP System (BUKLURAN – UP SYSTEM), University of the Philippines System
• Linking Everyone Towards Service CDC (LETS CDC), College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines – Los Baños
• Katipunan CHE, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines – Los Baños
• Sandigan ng mga Iskolar para sa Nagkakaisang CAS (SINAG CAS), College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines – Los Baños
• Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), University of the Philippines – Baguio
• Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago – UPM (BIGKIS-UPM), University of the Philippines – Manila
• UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition)
• Bagong Benilde, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde
• Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students (MACS)
• Akbayan Youth
• Alliance of Progressive Labor – Youth (APL Youth)
• Laban COC Party, College of Communication, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Manila University
• Alliance of Student Leaders (ASL), Ateneo de Manila University
• Law Student Government (LSG), College of Law, University of the Philippines – Diliman
• AngKAS (CSSP History Department Core Group), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP)
• UP Alliance for Responsive Involvement and Student Empowerment (ARISE), College of Engineering, University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN)
• UP Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• College of Allied Medical Professions Student Council (CAMPSC), University of the Philippines – Manila
• University Student Council (UPM USC), University of the Philippines – Manila
• UP Kabataang Pilosopo Tasyo (KaPiTas), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• UP Kalipunan para sa Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiyang Pilipino (UP KAPPP), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• UP Bukluran sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Buklod-Isip), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (LIKAS), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• College of Education Student Council (CESC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Union of Progressive Students (UPS), University of the Philippines – Cebu
• People United to Lead, Obey, and Serve (PULOS), University of the Philippines – Mindanao
• Kabataang Liberal
• UP People-Oriented Leadership in the Interest of Community Awareness (UP POLITICA), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• University Student Council (UPD USC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
• Cor Jesu Association of Graduate Students (CJAGS), Cor Jesu College, Digos City, Davao del Sur
• Barkadahang San Joseño, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
• Youth Against Debt (YAD) Eastern Visayas
• Animal Concerns and Awareness Club (AC2), University of the Philippines – Visayas Tacloban College
• School of Business and Management Student Council (SBMSC), Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City
• Children International – Child Sponsorship for Community Development Inc. (CSCDI), Tabaco City, Albay
• REPUBLICA Socio-Political Party (UA&P REPUBLICA), University of Asia and the Pacific
• Partido sang Mainuswagon nga Bumulutho (PMB), University of the Philippines – Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo
• Council of Maritime Leaders (CML), University of Cebu – Maritime Education and Training Center, Cebu City
• UST Political Science Forum (UST-TPSF), University of Santo Tomas – Manila
• College of Communication Student Council (COC-SC), Polytechnic University of the Philippines
• School of Business and Management (SBM) – Business Economics Society (BES), Universidad de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City
• Supreme Student Government – Northern Cebu Colleges, Bogo City, Cebu
• Team Communication (TeamComm), De La Salle University – Manila
• SENTRO – La Salle, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas
• Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Alternatibong Reporma at Pagbabago (SAMAR Party), University of Eastern Philippines, Northern Samar
• UEP Office of the Student Regent, University of Eastern Philippines, Northern Samar
• STI Student Council, STI College – Southwoods, Carmona, Cavite
• UP Sigma Beta Sorority, University of the Philippines – Diliman
• University Student Government (DLSU USG), De La Salle University – Manila
• Youth Aids Filipinas Alliance (YAFA), University of the Philippines – Visayas Tacloban College
• Vox La Salle Debate Society, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas
• TLF – Sexuality, Health, and Rights Educators (TLF-SHARE) Collective, Inc.
• National Alliance of Liberal Student Formations (NALSF)
• KILOS! – PUP, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Manila
• Filipino Liberal Youth – PUP, Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Manila
• Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (TAPAT), De La Salle University – Manila
• School of Economics Student Council (SESC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
* Angat Kabataan, Taytay, Rizal

The teachers’ take: Failure to pass FOI unacceptable

mcmangahas Leave a comment

LET’S HEAR IT from our profs:

Freedom of Information is vital to good scholarship and “evidence-based research.”

Freedom of Information is critical to “responsible participation in public life.”

Freedom of Information assures transparency, “our greatest defense against public officials who have diverged from the will of the electorate.”

Freedom of Information enables public servants “who have done right and performed well.”

in a joint statement, professors, deans, and a university president from the nation’s largest and most creditable universities, on Friday added their voices to the popular clamor for the immediate passage of the FOI bill by the 15th Congress.

The professors averred “the arbitrary roadblocks set by public offices (as) barriers to a sincere examination of government operations.”

They raised concern that, “failure to pass the bill in the fifteenth congress sets back the administration’s reform agenda at a crucial time when transparency in governance needs to be institutionalized.”

“It is unacceptable that a progressive piece of legislation is held hostage by politicians with vested interest seeking to incapacitate citizens who aim to hold them accountable,” they wrote.

Important lessons on citizenship and governance, indeed. But will the members of the House of Representatives listen? Will they pass or fail our professors, and do right on the FOI bill?

Here is the professors’ full statement:

Joint statement of academics for FOI
18 January 2013

WE, the undersigned faculty members of various universities, in our individual capacity as scholars and citizens, urge our Representatives in Congress to pass the Freedom of Information bill.

We consider the bill an important piece of legislation to uphold our fundamental right to publicly-held information. As scholars, we view access to data as an integral component in evidence-based research.

Currently, the arbitrary roadblocks set by public offices are barriers to a sincere examination of government operations.

As citizens, access to information is critical to responsible participation in national life.

Transparency is our greatest defense against public officials who have diverged from the will of the electorate. It is also valued highly by public servants who have done right and performed well.

We express concern that failure to pass the bill in the fifteenth congress sets back the administration’s reform agenda at a crucial time when transparency in governance needs to be institutionalized.

It is unacceptable that a progressive piece of legislation is held hostage by politicians with vested interest seeking to incapacitate citizens who aim to hold them accountable.

There is enough time to pass the bill. We press the fifteenth congress to take action and pass the FOI bill now.

Signed:

1. Prof. Carmela Abao, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
2. Prof. Flordeliz L. Abanto, Mass Communication Department, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila
3. Prof. Joy Aceron, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University
4. Prof. Arjan P. Aguirre, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
5. Dr. Michael Alba, President, Far Eastern University
6. Dr. Fernando Aldaba, Economics Department, Ateneo de Manila University
7. Dr. Aileen S.P. Baviera, Asian Center, UP Diliman
8. Dr. Edsel L. Beja Jr., Economics Department, Ateneo de Manila University
9. Dr. Ma. Luisa De Leon-Bolinao, History Department, UP Diliman
10. Prof. Ma. Teresa Briones, Ateneo School of Government, UP Diliman
11. Dr. Tina S. Clemente, Asian Center, UP Diliman
12. Dr. Lisandro Claudio, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
13. Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio, Center for Women’s Studies, UP Diliman
14. Dr. Antonio P. Contreras, Department of Political Science, De La Salle University
15. Dr. Nicole Curato, Department of Sociology, UP Diliman
16. Dr. Soledad M. Dalisay, Department of Anthropology, UP Diliman
17. Dr. Buenaventura Dargantes, Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies, Visayas State University
18. Dr. Clarissa David, College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman
19. Dr. Maria Helen F. Dayo, Gender Centre, UP Los Baños
20. Dr. J. Prospero E. de Vera, National College of Public Administration and Governance, UP Diliman
21. Prof. Yolanda G. Ealdama, College of Social Work and Community Development, UP Diliman
22. Prof. Adonis Elumbre, College of Social Sciences, UP Baguio
23. Prof. Josefa Francisco, Women and Gender Institute, Miriam College
24. Dr. Eduardo T. Gonzalez, Asian Center, UP Diliman
25. Dr. Marita Castro Guevara, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, Ateneo de Manila University
26. Dr. Filomin Candaliza-Gutierrez, Department of Sociology, UP Diliman
27. Prof. Ronald D. Holmes, Department of Political Science, De La Salle University
28. Dr. Antonio La Vina, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University
29. Dr. Joseph Anthony Lim, Economics Department, Ateneo de Manila University
30. Dr. Amado M. Mendoza, Jr., Department of Political Science, UP Diliman
31. Dr. Maria Fe Villamejor Mendoza, National College of Public Administration and Governance, UP Diliman
32. Dr. Lilibeth Miralles, Associate Professor and Research Unit Head, Visayas State University
33. Prof. Praksis Miranda, Department of Sociology, UP Diliman
34. Prof. Louie C. Montemar, Department of Political Science, De La Salle University
35. Prof. Emeritus Francisco Nemenzo, Jr., Department of Political Science, UP Diliman
36. Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo, School of Labor and Industrial Relations, UP Diliman
37. Dr. Rosalinda Pineda Ofreneo, College of Social Work and Community Development, UP Diliman
38. Dr. Mary Racelis, Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University
39. Prof. Sabrina Nikki Ramos, Department of Sociology, UP Diliman
40. Prof. Rene Raymond R. Raneses, Jr., Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
41. Prof. Ranjit Rye, Department of Political Science, UP Diliman
42. Dr. Neil Martial R. Santillan, Department of History, UP Diliman
43. Dr. Alma Maria O. Salvador, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
44. Prof. Teresita Ang See, College of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University
45. Dr. Carolyn I. Sobritchea, Asian Center, UP Diliman
46. Prof. Randy Jay C. Solis, College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman
47. Dr. Eduardo Climaco Tadem, Asian Center, UP Diliman
48. Dr. Teresa Tadem, Department of Political Science, UP Diliman
49. Prof. Efenita M. Taqueban, Department of Anthropology, UP Diliman
50. Prof. Carlos P. Tatel, Jr., Department of Anthropology, UP Diliman
51. Prof. Philip Arnold P. Tuano, Economics Department, Ateneo de Manila University
52. Dr. Victor S Venida, Economics Department, Ateneo de Manila University
53. Prof. Nathalie A. Verceles, Department of Women and Development Studies, UP Diliman
======================
REFERENCE:
Dr. Nicole Curato | 09285009353 | nccurato@upd.edu.ph

Will FOI fly or die in 15th Congress?

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IN A BIG, final push for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the 15th Congress, the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition has called a press briefing today, Jan. 18, 2013 in Quezon City.

The authors of the bill in the House of Representatives and leaders of the 160 civil society organizations and individuals that comprise the Coalition will attend.

The Coalition has urged House lawmakers to rush action on the FOI bill in the nine session days left from Jan. 23 to Feb. 8,after which they will adjourn again for the election campaign.

Support for the Coalition’s campaign continues to grow, meanwhile. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, faculty members of the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines, and netizens and bloggers have also signed on to the campaign for the FOI bill to pass into law in the 15th Congress.

Pass the FOI bill, PH media tells Congress

Ed Lingao Leave a comment

MEDIA AGENCIES across the Philippines are demanding that Congress take care of “unfinished business”  by passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill before going on extended break to prepare for the 2013 midterm elections.

In a pooled editorial published by various national, regional, and local media organizations beginning Monday (January 14), media organizations belonging to the Philippine Press Institute, the national association of newspapers, and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the national association of broadcasters in the country, called on congressmen to fulfill all the promises they made of transparency and accountability when they campaigned for office in the previous election.

ppi 2

The editorial noted that there will only be nine working days left for Congress when it resumes session on January 21, since it adjourns for an extended break on February 6. After February 6, many legislators are expected to start preparing for their reelection bid in the May 2013 midterm elections.

This allows for a very tight schedule if ever Congress does decide to calendar the FOI bill for floor debates. The measure was approved in the House committee level late last year, and there is no indication yet that the bill will be prioritized by the House leadership.

On the other hand, the Senate has already approved its version of the FOI on third and final reading.

“We, the newspapers, television networks, radio stations, online and independent media agencies, and citizen journalists of this nation state here and clearly now our expectations of the House of Representatives: Get back to work, assure a quorum, pass the FOI bill in your last nine session days,” the pooled editorial read. “You have all promised and sworn to serve by matuwid na daan, transparency, and accountability in government, and we expect nothing less than clear, concrete results on your promises.”

The pooled editorial emphasized that the passage of the FOI bill is “a constitutional obligation” that overrules other “private concerns” by legislators that the measure could be abused by media.

Several legislators have been trying to block passage of the FOI by insisting on a rider that provides for a right-of-reply (ROR), where officials are to be guaranteed free and equal print and airtime to give their side on an issue. The Philippine media has insisted that the ROR provision violates the freedom of the press, since it effectively legislates editorial content.

“Lawmakers that they are, they must be well aware of the Constitutional principle of “a public office is a public trust,” the very reason why the news media and all citizens must pry and probe, critique and censure, and report news good and bad about issues and events vested with public interest,” the editorial read.

The pooled editorial is just part of a series of actions programmed by media organizations all over the country to remind legislators of the importance of the FOI. Media groups are concerned that the non-passage of the FOI in the last nine session days would mean the bill would go back to square one with the incoming 16th Congress.

The pooled editorial published by members of the PPI and the KBP reads as follows:

Pass the FOI bill now

QUICK and correct action. This is the best and justly deserved path for the House of Representatives to take on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

Slow and wrong. This is the worst and justly reasonable judgment that Filipino voters would have of the House members, most especially of those seeking reelection in May 2013, should the FOI fail to pass.

Time, the dribble drivel in the House, and an Executive seemingly less than lame in his support for the bill – the odds seem stacked against the passage of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress. This is even as the Senate had passed its version of the bill on third and final reading before Christmas last.

Only nine session days remain from Jan. 21, when lawmakers return to work after a month-long holiday break, to Feb. 6, 2013, after which lawmakers will have another extended break and plunge into election campaign mode. They will have just three more session days in June intended mainly for closing ceremonies, before adjourning sine die to give way to the incoming 16th Congress on June 30, 2013.

Failure by the incumbent House to pass the FOI up to third reading, so it could be submitted to bicameral action thereafter, in the coming nine session days is certain death for the bill in the 15th Congress. Legislative work on the bill will revert to step one yet again in the 16th.

This is why only quick, focused action to pass the FOI bill is the absolutely correct path for the 280-odd members of the House to take, in their last nine session days before the election campaign kicks off.

It avoids wasteful spending of scarce taxpayers’ money on legislative work that often start and end as mere verbal jousts among lawmakers.

It is, most assuredly, also the right thing for the House to do.

The FOI bill implements the state policy of transparency and accountability that the Constitution we Filipinos ratified in 1987 explicitly and fully guarantees.

Passing the FOI bill is thus a constitutional obligation that lawmakers have had to fulfill, to do right by all citizens, from 25 years ago.

Passing the FOI bill is a public good that trumps any and all supposed private concerns that a few lawmakers claim are the reasons why they do not favor FOI and insist on loading it up with right-of-reply (ROR) provision. They have had, they say, fallen victim to negative reporting by the news media.

Lawmakers that they are, they must be well aware of the Constitutional principle of “a public office is a public trust,” the very reason why the news media and all citizens must pry and probe, critique and censure, and report news good and bad about issues and events vested with public interest.

Libel laws, codes of ethics, and self-regulation mechanisms are fully observed in most news media agencies. There are no reasons that are writ in law for these few lawmakers opposed to the FOI to now dangle ROR as a precondition to their vote. In this instance, it is clear that to them, ROR is truly just a monkey wrench to kill the bill.

We, the newspapers, television networks, radio stations, online and independent media agencies, and citizen journalists of this nation state here and clearly now our expectations of the House of Representatives: Get back to work, assure a quorum, pass the FOI bill in your last nine session days.

You have all promised and sworn to serve by matuwid na daan, transparency, and accountability in government, and we expect nothing less than clear, concrete results on your promises.

It is election season once more and you are all likely to offer more promises to get elected. But before we vote, we ask you to finish your unfinished business. Start with one you swore to deliver two decades and a half ago: Pass the FOI bill now.

 

Here are screengrabs of some of the news organizations that published the pooled editorial:

Philippine Star

malaya 1

Sunstar Davao

Standard Today

For its part, the Manila Times ran its own editorial last January 11 stating that it has not yet given up on the FOI bill. The Times said the Aquino administration and Congress should “realize by this time” that the Philippine media was not giving up easily on the FOI. “We still want to see the act passed into law despite misinformed parties like House Minority Leader Danila Suarez promising to block the bill at all cost.

“We consider the right to access government records as important as any right guaranteed by our Constitution,” the Times editorial read. “Democracy without transparency in government and its institutions is no democracy at all.”

Manila Times