Freedom of information bills get a push amid coronavirus pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has stressed the need for the passage of the freedom of information (FOI) bill for transparency on government’s actions such as loans, lawmakers argued Wednesday.

During the meeting of the House committee on public information, several lawmakers sponsored their measures seeking to strengthen the people’s right to information.

There are 19 bills filed in the House of Representatives regarding the matter.

Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas said that transparency “is the bare minimum which our officials must faithfully adhere to” especially amid crises such as the coronavirus pandemic.

“Imagine keeping our people clueless on the Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of the highest official of the land, and even on the terms and conditions of the loan agreements which the national government entered into amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Brosas said.

“These are of course imbued with the public interest, yet alibis are made to justify the non-disclosure of these important documents,” she added.

House Bill No. 226, which was filed by Brosas and the Makabayan bloc, mandates the disclosure of loans from domestic and foreign financial institutions, loans and grants for development assistance, technical assistance, utilization of all forms of donations for calamity stricken areas, and programs entered into by a government agency with official bilateral or multi-lateral agencies.

“Kailangang ilahad sa publiko ang mga detalye at kondisyon ng mga pautang na tinatanggap ng pamahalaan at mga kontrata ng mga proyekto – nang sa gayo’y klarong maiibentaryo ang rekurso ng pamahalaan at maiiwasan ang korapsyon at lobbying,” Brosas said.

ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, who also authored the said measure, echoed Brosas’ push.

“Magkano na ang inutang para COVID response at paano ito ginastos at gagastusin?  Nasaan ang bakuna, at ano ang kasiguraduhan na ang ituturok sa akin ay libre, ligtas, at epektibo?” Castro said.

“Naniniwala kami na binibigyang diin ng kasalukuyang panahon—isang di pangkaraniwan at abnormal panahon—ang kahalagahan ng ‘the people’s right to know,’” she further said.

The House committee formed a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate the FOI measures.

EDV