Group lauds Rody for ‘good start’ on FOI

A coalition of civil society and non- government organizations on Friday lauded the Duterte administration for a “good start” in the bid for Freedom of Information (FOI) in the country but said it is still a work in progress.

The Right to Know, Right Now Coalition (R2KRN) cited the government for the issuance of Executive Order 2, which effectively requires all offices and agencies under the executive branch to disclose the details of their transactions.

The EO implementing the FOI in the executive branch was signed by President Duterte just 23 days after he assumed office.

Eirene Jhone Aguila of the Aksyong Kabayanihan Para sa Organisadong Pagbabago ( ANGKOP), a convenor of the R2KRN, said the EO shows the seriousness of the administration to implement an institutionalized mechanism of transparency.

Unlike under the last administration where the policy was a campaign promise of former president Benigno Aquino but did not push through, Duterte is not “hedging” the issuance of a framework for the FOI.

“The stark contrast here is that President ( Duterte) did not mince words. He was committed to an FOI in principle in issuing the EO 2. For us that is an unequivocal policy statement that he really wants to see FOI in place,” Aguila said.

Aguila added that they hope that the EO on FOI would also translate to a clear policy on both chambers of Congress when they pass the law.

The FOI manual, which will essentially be the implementing rules and regulations of the EO, is expected to be released on Nov. 25.

It would effectively serve as a framework for different government agencies on how the process would be done.

Still, the R2KRN said the government has to address the confusion on “exceptions” on the FOI order.

The Office of the Solicitor General submitted 156 proposed exceptions while the Department of Justice has an inventory of 55.

The coalition has proposed the simplification of these exceptions to conceptual categories, which may be used as a checklist by concerned agencies.

The group also emphasized the need for legislation that will expand the coverage of FOI beyond the executive branch and also review the said exceptions.

The legislation should also introduce liability where appropriate, as well as afford the further institutionalization of transparency and accountability.