Palace hails House body’s OK of freedom of information bill

President Rodrigo Duterte is seen signing an executive order operationalizing the freedom of information policy in the executive department on July 24, 2016. (PHOTO FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS OFFICE)

MANILA — Malacañang has welcomed the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill by the House committee on public information, saying the proposed measure is “an act that affirms the government’s social contract with the people.”

“The FOI, long overdue, is an essential component of (President Duterte’s) anti-corruption drive as it promotes greater transparency, openness and accountability in governance,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Mr. Duterte, who vowed to stamp out corruption during his six-year term, had implemented FOI in the executive branch of government pending the enactment of the law.

He also ordered all state agencies under the Office of the President to enroll in the “electronic FOI” system under the Presidential Communications Operations Office.  SFM