By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, March 10 (PNA) – Voting 21-0 with no abstention, the Senate on Monday passed on third and final reading Senate Bill 1733 or the Freedom of Information Bill.
The bill entitled “An Act Implementing the People’s Right To Information And The Constitutional Policies of Full Public Disclosure and Honesty in the Public Service” requires mandatory posting by the government agencies in their official websites of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of officials with salary grade 26 or higher.
Aside from government agencies, members of legislative branch are also mandated to automatically upload their SALN in the websites of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
”This measure will arm the public with the tool to scrutinize government transactions to ensure the highest interests of our people and the country,” Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, said.
Among the amendments to the FOI bill are the tightening of the provision on personal privacy and sensitive personal information by defining its parameters.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, a known supporter of the bill, welcomed the development, saying that it will “enable the public to take a significant part in curbing corruption in Philippine bureaucracy.”
He said the FOI bill will encourage the people to take active participation in the governance process as the measure will introduce new levels of accountability in every aspect of our country’s public service, opening it to increased public scrutiny.
“The disclosure of government actions under the FOI bill will be a crucial and effective deterrent against possible malfeasance and corrupt practices by those in power. The proposed legislation is our way of acknowledging that the people’s eye is the most potent tool against corruption in our government,” Drilon said.
Poe said the measure aims to eliminate corruption in the bureaucracy by opening government transactions to the public and holding government officials accountable for their actions.
Poe said studies showed that graft and corruption were minimized in countries with strong Freedom of Information law.
In the United States for instance, she said, the number of graft convictions nearly doubled in the first three to eight years after the FOI law was strengthened.
According to Poe, 94 nations have already enacted their own FOI legislation while another 53 countries are in the process of ratifying their respective FOI laws.
“The FOI will not only prevent graft and corruption but more importantly, our citizens will learn to get involved and participate in government matters,” Poe said.
Poe said the FOI bill also provides exemption to information that would jeopardize national security, foreign relations, law enforcement operations, trade and economic secrets, individual’s right to privacy, privileged information as considered in judicial proceedings or information made in executive sessions of Congress and those that are covered by presidential privilege.
These exemptions however, she said, shall not be used to cover up a crime, wrongdoing, graft or corruption, or other illegal activities.
The Senate version is a consolidation of 12 bills, including the indirect petition of the advocacy group Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition.
Poe, main sponsor of the bill, is also hoping that the House of Representatives will keep its promise to work on its own version right after the passage of the bill in the Senate.
Recently, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte made commitment to pass the House version of the FOI bill within the 16th Congress.
”For me, that’s already a big development,” Poe said.
Poe said several groups are already asking Naga City Rep. Leni Robredo, wife of the late Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, to sponsor the House version.
The bill was approved in the 14th Congress but the House of Representatives failed to ratify it on the final day of session due to lack of quorum.
The measure was filed 44 times by different legislators from thee ninth to the present 16th Conress.
The first Freedom of Information Act was filed in Congress 21 years and eight months ago by Rep. Oscar Orbos in the House and by senators Alberto Romulo, Raul Roco, Anna Dominique Coseteng, Francisco Tatad and Ernesto Herrera.
”The People’s FOI bill which I humbly submit for the approval of this chamber is the product of constant collaboration with my fellow Senators and their staff. Each interpellation and amendment, every piece of advice and every moment of thorough scrutiny was crucial in polishing this bill into something that the Filipino people can be proud of,” Poe said.
”Today, the high significance of the People’s Freedom of Information Act is reflected in the very situation as well as problems confronting the country at present. We simply need to pass the law. We simply need to be transparent and accountable. We simply need to honor that public service is serving with honesty and integrity,” the neophyte senator added. (PNA)