Guingona re-files FOI bill, stresses need for ‘complete transparency’ in gov’t

Senator Teofisto Guingona III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – An administration senator has filed anew a bill known as the People’s Freedom of Information Act of 2013, saying its passage was long overdue.

In filing Senate Bill Number 74, Senator Teofisto Guingona III lamented Congress’ failure to pass the same measure mainly due to lack of quorum in the House of Representatives.

“The highest stage the Freedom of Information Act has reached so far is the bicameral conference committee report which was ratified in the Senate but failed to do so in Congress for lack of quorum on the final session day of the (15th) Congress. Suffice it to say that this bill is long overdue,” Guingona said on Wednesday.

While it has made headway in fighting corruption in the country, the senator said the administration of President Benigno Aquino III has yet to address the issue of “complete transparency.”

“There needs to be a mechanism wherein the people are provided easy access to information regarding the government’s transactions and processes,” he said.

“As Justice Isagani Cruz said: ‘The days of the secret laws and unpublished decrees are over.’ The FOI bill will enhance our democratic ideals which we fought so hard to gain, even as it further empowers our people.”

Guingona said his support for the bill stemmed largely from his belief that access to information must not depend on the absolute discretion or even on the whims and caprices of heads of government agencies.

He said people can work with government for reforms and accountability only if they are armed with relevant information.

“If we want people to effectively participate in government, transparent and accessible information are vital. An FOI law is both a blessing and a challenge to good governance. If people have the right information, they must learn to use the same to contribute to nation-building,” said the senator.

Guingona also believes that an FOI law would pave the way for an institutionalized and government-wide policy on transparency and disclosure.

Under his proposed measure, Guingona said, there will be mandatory disclosure of information from all government agencies regarding their budget, information on their procurement, register of their transactions, and pertinent information regarding the agency.

Any person who wishes to obtain information, under the bill, should be given access to such information with some exceptions.

“It is our hope that in the 16th Congress, this bill will finally be passed and enacted into law. This bill will help us bring government closer to the people. Public office is a public trust, and public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people,” Guingona added.