Saturday, September 27, 2008

Information access bill relies on citizens

By Sasha Lim Uy

First posted: 9/26/2008 22:03

Updated: 10/1/2008 23:35

MANILA, Philippines--“People’s right to information is a key ingredient of a functioning democratic society.”

This was what 4th District of Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada said during the “What You Don't Know is Hurting You: Giv
ing Power through Access to Information,” a public forum on the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), also known as House Bill 3732.

The forum, held last August 29, Friday in the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), Philippines, was organized by The Assembly, a political science organization for ADMU students, Young Public Servants (YPS), a youth group promoting good governance in the Philippines, and Team RP, a youth-led and reform-oriented group.


Last March, Team RP launched a signature campaign for the FOI to be passed in Congress. Currently, it is waiting to be pass
ed in the Senate.

Power to the people
Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño, who was also present during the forum, stressed the importance of citizen participat
ion in the Bill, saying that Filipinos are not able to participate in national agenda if they are unaware of political issues and the government.

“Information is not [just] about what th
e systems are and the process of pursuing permits,” he said. “Information gives people the right to effective participation.”

Howe
ver, Casiño said that no matter how well the FOI has been laid out, its successful implementation is still up to the citizens. “This [Bill] is just a piece of paper. It is up to the people to assert their constitutional rights.”

“I think that more than forwarding such statutes, we have to reeducate ourselves politically in terms of critical analysis and active participation,” said third year ADMU student Ruby Rosselle Tugade who attended the forum.

“Being Filipino,” said ADMU political science senior Rafaela David, “naturally involves that we use our rights and fight for them as need be, just as what we are doing now—we are fighting for our right to information.”

“Unused rights can be a source for government to abuse public trust since no one is caring,” said another student, Phillip Recentes.

David and Recentes were some of the organizers of the forum.

Free information
Tañada said that while Section 7
of the Bill of Rights guarantees Filipinos their right to information on matters of public concern, the provisions in the Constitution are not enough.

FOI is a defining piece of legislation since there is no enabling law for citizens’ rights to information after
the 1987 Constitution, said Tañada.

Tañada and Casiño added that when information is obscured, corruption occurs. “Corruption happens in dark places that are left unobserved,” said Truth and Accountability executive director Vincent Lazatin.

“The fight for information is perhaps the primary weapon [in fighting] corruption,” he said.

However, Tañada said that knowing information is not merely used as a safeguard against corruption. “[It] secures better policies,” he said, explaining that it promotes constructive and informed debates between and among government stakeholders in making policy objectives.

“Providing information is important in delivering outcomes,” said other forum speaker, Jesse Robredo, mayor of Naga, a city in Southern Luzon.

Naga City provides its citizens with every type of information, such as budgets, regarding the city through its comprehensive website. Governmental transactions in Naga City are also faster—it only takes three to seven days to avail of business permits unlike other cities which take around 15 days.

Rallying Bong
For the Bill to be passed in the Senate, Lazatin recommended that citizens should write to the senators, specifically Chairman of Public Information and Mass Media Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

“We have to pressure Senator Bong Revilla,” said Tanada.

“I have a feeling that Bong, who is in party with the president, might dilly dally the ball.” Lazatin added. “[So we] have to shout at [Bong Revilla’s] ear.”

Tanada emphasized that the Bill has to be passed before the 2010 elections otherwise they will have to undergo through the entire process again.

David said that due to little public clamor, the senators do not see the FOI as an urgent matter. She added that the youth should take part in the process.

See related story: House bill advances youth, and vice versa

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