SEN. Robinhood Padilla called for the prompt passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2880, which consolidates various versions of the People’s Freedom of Information Act.
“In a democracy, the people hold the power, and the government is responsible for addressing their concerns. The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill guarantees that individuals who request information from government agencies will have access to it,” said Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.
He said the measure, which he sponsored, would apply to all executive, legislative, and judicial offices, constitutional offices, local governments, state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other state instrumentalities.
He said the bill complies with Article III, Sec. 7 of the Constitution, recognizing the peoples’ right to information on matters of public concern”; and Article II, Sec. 28, requiring the state to adopt and implement “a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.”
SB 2880 lists exemptions, including information concerning national security and defense, diplomatic safety, information given during an executive session of Congress, trade secrets, and presidential privilege.
Personal information in Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, including address, details of dependents, signatures of government employees, and copies of their IDs, are also exempt.
“The bill considers RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 that ensures our privacy,” said Padilla.
“I wish to stress that this bill upholds RA 9485 of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 that aims to speed up service in government,” he added.
Padilla said the bill aims to foster transparency and accountability in the collection and spending of public funds, which will also help fight corruption.
It also bill encourages agencies to use simple language and Filipino when disclosing information, he said.
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