Legacy or Ignominy: Will Speaker Nograles and his House ratify the Freedom of Information Bill?
by The Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition
4 June 2010
When the leaders of the House of Representatives want a measure passed, we have seen them find a way. But when they want a measure aborted, they simply stay away and quibble about the absence of quorum.
For 14 years, the 160 member-organizations of the Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition have waged, separately and together, an advocacy campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. We have done so in good faith, in the most positive and trustful manner, and with all due respect to the members of Congress who swore to serve the people, by the Constitution and the laws of the land.
Even now, we thank Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., the legislators who authored and passed the Freedom of Information Act, and all the members of the 14th Congress, for taking the bill to its farthest, an accomplishment that previous Congresses had all failed to achieve.
Today, the Freedom of Information Act hangs on the precipice, and the leaders of the House, on the threshold of either making history or being cast aside to its dustbin.
In the last two weeks, the people have been offered promise after promise to ratify the Fredom of Information Act.
§ On February 2, 2010, copies of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the FOI scheduled for distribution to the House members suddenly went missing at the session hall.
§ On February 3, the House Floorleader, after moving to defer the calling of the roll, proceeded to secure the House members’ concurrence vote for no less than 15 Senate bills, and one conference committee report. However, the FOI conference committee report was conveniently left out. A congressman who sought a copy of the FOI Act was told by House officials that the instruction from the office of the House Secretary General was to “hold distribution” of the copies that day, the last day before the Congress adjourned for the election campaign season.
§ On May 24, the House leadership implored proponents of the bill to withdraw their motion to ratify the conference committee report after the Speaker and the Majority and Minority leaders declared their commitment to enroll it on the agenda of the House on May 31.
§ But on May 31, Speaker Nograles opened the session and the Majority Floorleader moved to suspend session until June 4, for the closing of the 14th Congress. In 10 seconds flat, they opened and closed the session, ignoring motions from proponents of the bill to ratify the FOI Act. The proponents led by Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante Jr., chair of the House committee on public information, had wanted to raise a point of order but the House leaders simply ignored them. In truth, the proponents were muzzled and gagged – the microphones on the floor were turned off.
The fate of the Freedom of Information Act is in peril of being hostage to the whims and fancies of the House leadership. In media interviews, Speaker Nograles has declared that the FOI Act – or what he calls “the foie gras bill” that he, in fact, co-authored – remains “my priority” and that the House will take it up today, supposedly the last session day of the 14th Congress.
Today, the truth or falsity of his avowed commitment to ratify the Freedom of Information Act, will be known. He can yet prove skeptics wrong.
If the Speaker chooses not to live up to his commitment, the Freedom of Information Act dies today; if he proves true to his words, it will live and be ratified, at last.
And well it should. The right to know is an inalienable right of the people that has been firmly guaranteed by the Constitution since 23 years ago. Enshrined in the Bill of Right, it is indispensable to the exercise of the right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, economic and political decision-making.
The Freedom of Information Act fills the legal gaps that have made our constitutional right to information practically inoperable. It provides standard and definite procedures in dealing with requests for information. It clearly defines a narrow list of exceptions, carefully balancing the public interest in securing the widest availability of information while recognizing the public interest in withholding certain information identified in the bill. It secures for citizens concurrent remedies in cases of denial of access to information.
Where a denial is illegal, the citizen concerned may also file the appropriate criminal or administrative complaint. It provides for the public disclosure, without need of request from anyone, of important government transactions. It introduces numerous mechanisms for the active promotion of openness in government.
The Filipino people need and truly deserve this law. It is a demand of the times, a vote for transparency, democratic participation, accountability and good governance. It will empower both the people and their leaders to plant the seeds of strategic governance reforms and start the process of renewal for Philippine institutions.
We take this opportunity to thank Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Juan Miguel Zubiri for shepherding the bill through the tedious legislative process in the Senate.
We express most especially our gratitude and salute to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile for leading the Senators in completing the necessary Senate actions for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. The Senate was in turmoil at the time when the session was about to adjourn in February, yet still it managed to fulfill its legislative commitments.
Last May 31, the Senate passed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to act on the FOI Act conference committee report before the 14th Congress adjourns sine die. This is clear testimony to the leadership of Senate President Enrile and the sense of duty to people and country of our Senators.
Today, we ask that Speaker Nograles and the House members show proof that they measure up to the same standards. Indeed today, by their choices they will be judged. And they have only two: Legacy or Ignominy.
They have now a historic opportunity to fulfill their constitutional duty to provide an essential law that will secure for the nation the full functioning of their constituents’ right to information.
Recognizing that the duty of the state to enforce a policy of full disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest is the hallmark of good governance, there are already more than 80 governments around the world that have adopted a Freedom of Information Act. The passage today of the Freedom of Information Act would be a testament to our maturity as a nation, which is vaunted to be the exemplar of democracy in Asia.
The people of the Philippines are claiming their constitutional right to access to information on matters of public concern. The bicameral conference committee has reconciled the House and Senate versions of the FOI bill. There should be no obstacle to ratifying this bill.
Today, Speaker Nograles and his House will face the judgment of history. Will they be judged as a Congress with a legacy of honor or of ignominy?
In truth, for reasons other than the public interest, they can delay the Freedom of Information Act but not ever defeat it. The people’s right to know springs forth from our democracy; it will endure.
Right to Know. Right Now!
Signatories:
1.                 Bishop Broderick Pabillo Auxillary Bishop, Manila; National Director of CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action Justice&Peace (NASSA-JP)
2.                 Atty. Wigberto Tañada Senator, 1987-1995
3.                 Dr. Wilfrido V. Villacorta Member,Constitutional Commission; Author of Right to Information on Matters of Public Concern (Art. III, Sec.7, 1987 Constitution)
4.                 Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid Member, Constitutional Commission and Chair, Communication, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines
5.                 Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin Transparency and Accountability Network
6.                 Ms. Malou Mangahas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
7.                 Ms. Adelina Alvarez Mr. Red Batario Center for Community Journalism and Development
8.                 Atty. Roberto Cadiz LIBERTAS
9.                 Prof. Luis Teodoro Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
10.             Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez Focus on the Global South - Philippines Programme
11.             Mr. Sonny Fernandez Mr. Nestor Burgos Ms. Rowena Paraan National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
12.             Mr. Alberto Lim Makati Business Club
13.             Ms. Teresita Ang See Citizens Action Against Crime
14.             Mr. Joshua Mata Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
15.             Ms. Yuen Abana Partido ng Mangagawa
16.             Ms. Precy Bellomes Makabayan
17.             Mr. Teody Navea Mr. Gem de Guzman Bukluran ng Mangagawang Pilipino (BMP)
18.             Atty. Byron Bocar Akbayan
19.             Ms. Judy Pasimio Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center - Kasama sa Kalikasan
20.             Ms. Starjoan Villanueva Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)
21.             Dean Antonio La Viña Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
22.             Dr. Sixto K. Roxas Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Development
23.             Mr. Isagani Serrano Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
24.             Mr. Joseph Purugganan EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines; Stop the New Round Coalition
25.             Mr. Al Alegre Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
26.             Ms. Annie Geron Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
27.             Prof. Leonor M. Briones Social Watch Philippines
28.             Dr. Rene Ofreneo Center for Labor Justice
29.             Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III National College of Public Administration and Governance
30.             Atty. Tanya Lat IDEALS
31.             Mr. Raul Socrates Banzuela PAKISAMA
32.             Chester Amparo Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
33.             Mr. Pete Pinlac Mangagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN)
34.             Mr. Ramon Tuazon Philippines Communication Society
35.             Ms. Mae V. Buenaventura Women's Legal Bureau, Inc.
36.             Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo WomanHealth Philippines
37.             Ms. Mercedes Fabros WomanHealth Philippines
38.             Mr. Sixto Donato Macasaet CODE-NGO
39.             Mr. Jun S. Aguilar Filipino Migrant Workers
40.             Mr. Pablo Rosales Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda (PANGISDA); Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKMM)
41.             Mr. Crispino Aguelo Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
42.             Ms. Karen Tañada Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute
43.             Atty.Eirene Jhone E. Aguila Team RP
44.             Prof. Gigi Francisco Development Alternatives for Women in the New Era (DAWN)
45.             Mr. Byron Abadeza Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific
46.             Mr. Abby Y. Pato Task Force on Food Sovereignty Mindanao
47.             Ms. Carolyn Arguillas MindaNews
48.             Mr. Abner Francisco DXCA - FM
49.             Mr. Rey Hulog Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
50.             Mr. Jose Pavia Philippine Press Institute
51.             Ms. Angelica Simone Mangahas Ateneo Debate Society
52.             Mr. Bartholome Guingona pagbabago@pilipinas
53.             Atty. Virginia S. Jose Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)
54.             Ms. Ellene Sana Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
55.             Ms. Ester Perez Tagle Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
56.             Ms. Luz Malihiran Community Organizers Multiversity
57.             Mr. Milo Tanchuling Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
58.             Mr. Jude Esguerra Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
59.             Mr. Doy Cinco Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
60.             Mr. Ric Serrano La Liga Policy Institute
61.             Mr. Roland Cabigas Mr. Rey Rasing Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
62.             Atty. Farah Marie Decano Lady Local Legislators' League of the Philippines, Inc.
63.             Mr. Raymond Marvic Baguilat UP Law Student Government
64.             Mr. Ed Mora Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas
65.             Prof. Carlos Magtolis, Jr. Siliman University - ASPAP
66.             Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez Center for People Empowerment in Governance
67.             Mr. Ben-Hur Sacopla Southern Luzon State University ASPAP - Region IV
68.             Dr. Buenaventura B. Dargantes Program on Integrated Water Resources
69.             Mr. Boy Nuera Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
70.             Mr. Roy Calfoforo People's Alternative Studies Center for Research and Education in Social Develoment (PASCRES)
71.             Mr. Alain Pascua Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
72.             Mr. Reggie Guillen GCAP-Phils
73.             Mr. Horacio T. Cadiz The Philippine Network Foundation, Inc (PHNET)
74.             Mr. Joe Valencia KASAPI-HELLAS
75.             Mr. Nestor Villanueva Akbayan Greece
76.             Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido Negros Peace Watch
77.             Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran Philippines Communication Society
78.             Ms. Aurora Regalado Management Organization for Development and Empowerment
79.             Mr. Ernesto Lim Jr. People's Campaign on Agrarian Reform (AR NOW!)
80.             Mr. Anthony Marzan KAISAHAN
81.             Mr. Nonoy Oplas Minimal Government Thinkers
82.             Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera Alyansa Tigil Mina
83.             Ms. Luz Cabucos-Fegarido RSW
84.             Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Tison Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
85.             Ms. Trinidad Domingo Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
86.             Mr. Richard Gutierrez Ban Toxics
87.             Mr. Harvey Keh Kaya Natin! Movement
88.             Mr. Czarina Sacaguing Confederation of Student Government in the Philippines
89.             Dr. Ma. Olivia Domingo Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, UP NCPAG
90.             Dr. Angelo Ramos Philippine Community e-Center Network
91.             Ms. Mae Sabio Sulong CARPER
92.             Mr. Diosdado Calmada PEACE
93.             Ms. Lanie Factor Task Force Mapalad
94.             Ms. Maris Dela Cruz - Cardenas EmPOWER Consumers
95.             Atty. Elpidio Peria Third World Network; Vice Chairman, Social Concerns Committee, IBP South Cotabato - General Santos City
96.             Mr. Angelito R. Mendoza Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency
97.             Mr. Omi Royandoyan Centro Saka
98.             Ms. Florencia Casanova-Dorotan Women's Action Network for Development
99.             Ms. Violeta Corral Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan
100.         Ms. Michelle Domocol Visayas Climate Action Network
101.         Judge Dolores L. Español (Ret.) Transparency International - Philippines
102.         Mr. Roby Alampay Southeast Asian Press Alliance
103.         Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles International Center on Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)
104.         Ms. Maita Gomez Bantay Kita
105.         College Editors Guild of the Philippines
106.         Ms. Emy M. Santos National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
107.         Ms. Tes M. Borgoños Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (MAKALAYA)
108.         Ms. Marilyn Fuentes National Union of Building and Construction Workers
109.         Atty. Michael Yu Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Cebu City Chapter
110.         Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio Center for Women's Studies, University of the Philippines
111.         Mr. Viktor Samuel Fontanilla UP ALYANSA
112.         Ms. Anna Luz Lopez UP BUKLOD CSSP
113.         Mr. Jeffrey Crisostomo AKBAYAN Youth - UP Diliman
114.         Ms. Susan Ople Blas Ople Foundation
115.         Mr. Romeo Cabugnasan Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
116.         Mr. Gus Miclat Initiative for International Dialogue
117.         Mr. Antonio Claparols Ecological Society of the Philippines
118.         Mr. Javier Claparols Ecological Society of the Philippines
119.         Dr. Helen N. Mendoza Soljuspax
120.         Dr. Mario Joyo Aguja Mindanao State University System Faculty Federation
121.         Ms. Maria Rita Melecio Task Force Detainees of the Philippines - Davao
122.         Mr. Juanito Enriquez Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace
123.         Ms. Edeliza Hernandez Medical Action Group
124.         Ms. Laudica Casana Anda Rural Women Workers Alliance for Progress
125.         Ms. Flordeliz Abanto Philippine Association of Communication Educators Foundation, Inc. (PACE)
126.         Ms. Victoria M. Segovia Partnership for Clean Air
127.         Ms. Grace Chua Consumer Rights for Safe Food
128.         Ms. Noemi Tirona Network Opposed to GMOs
129.         Ms. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz Ang Nars
130.         Mr. Manny C. Calonzo Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
131.         Atty. Solomon Lumba Institute for Freedom of Information
132.         Ms. Paula Mae B. Tanquieng Ayos na Gamot sa Abot-Kayang Presyo (AGAP)
133.         Ms. Annie M. Sandalo Code Foundation, Inc.
134.         Ed Caharian Philippine Agency for Community and Family
135.         Fr. Victor "Junvic" Diolata, Jr., SSS Co-Executive Secretary of AMRSP
136.         Fr. Jesus Malit, SSS AMRSP
137.         Sr. Mary John Mannanzan, OSB AMRSP
138.         Mr. Narciso Jover Jr. Tri-people Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM)
139.         Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos Atty. Dante T. Ramos Phil. Earth Justice Center, Inc.
140.         Maria V. Mendoza Fair Trade Alliance - Philippines (FairTrade)
141.         Mr. Tirso N. Paglicawan, Jr. Kapisanan ng mga Kawani ng Koreo sa Pilipinas Mr. Dante Dean M. Barola (KKKP); Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement, Inc.
142.         Mr. Manuel G. Rama PhilPost Rank-and-File Employees Association
143.         Ms. Marlene Ramirez AsiaDHRRA
144.         Ms. Minerva Gonzales Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Asia
145.         Mr. Angelito Calderon Lakas Mangagawa Labor Center (LMLC)
146.         Ms. Ember Cruz Trade Advocates Group
147.         Ms. Mary Joycer Filomeno Youth Advocates for Economic Progress (YAEP)
148.         Ms. Eileen Matute Coconut Industry Reform Movement (COIR)
149.         Mr. David Diwa National Labor Union
150.         Mr. Angel Dimalanta Automotive Industry Workers Alliance
151.         Ms. Lia Jasmin Esquillo Interface Development Interventions
152.         Mr. Nazaño Cacayan Yamog Foundation
153.         Mr. Frank Meno Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA)
154.         Mr. Eleuterio Tuazon Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions
155.         Mr. Ronaldo Tuazon Workers Welfare Watch - Philippines
156.         Mr. John Gamit Christian Life Community of the Philippines
157.         Mr. Manny Arias Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Mangagawa sa Pilipinas
158.         Ms. Romina Astrid Lim Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest Project
159.         Mr. Vince Cinches Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc.
160.         Dr. Suzette H. Lazo, MD
161.         Mr. Roberto Versola Riedo Panaligan Philippine Greens
162.         Ms. Jessica Reyes-Cantos Rice Watch and Action Network
163.         Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan Action for Economic Reforms (AER)
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