Palace: FOI law passage remains a priority

MANILA, Philippines — The passage of a freedom of information (FOI) law remains a priority of President Rodrigo Duterte despite plans to issue an executive order (EO) implementing its provisions within the executive branch, Malacañang said Monday.

 

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella could not say whether Duterte would certify the FOI bill as urgent but added the measure has to undergo a “process.”

 

RELATED: Duterte's first EO: Restructure Office of the President

 

“I don't know if it (FOI law) will be (certified). But it is part of his priorities,” Abella said in his first press conference as presidential spokesman in Malacañang.

 

When asked if the executive branch would lobby for the passage of FOI in the next Congress, Abella said: “I don't know about the lobbying but it will be considered.”

 

Under the 1987 Constitution, the people have the right to information on matters of public concern. The lack of an enabling law, however, has hindered the enjoyment of the constitutional guarantee.

 

The FOI bill was first filed during the 12th Congress but never got enacted partly due to strong disapproval from worried lawmakers as it could get exploited to tarnish reputations.

 

On Sunday, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the legal team of his office and of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea are drafting an EO which would implement FOI in the executive branch.

 

The EO, which might get released this week, would require offices under the executive branch to disclose details of their transactions and projects.

 

The order, however, only applies to government agencies within the executive branch. Implementing FOI in all branches of government, including Congress and the judiciary, requires a law.

 

Abella said they are open to consulting with stakeholders regarding the EO, which, according to officials, fulfills Duterte’s vow to promote transparency.

 

“In his words, he abhors secrecy and he desires transparency. And that's part of his working style... and part of his values that work ought to be done in a very transparent manner,” the presidential spokesman explained.   

 

Abella also said Duterte’s refusal to grant media interviews does not equate to lack of transparency.

 

“It's not really secrecy. Let's put it this way, I am not speaking for him, but I am speaking let's say as a person who is observing the whole situation, that he wants to devote his first 100 or so days to work and he doesn't want it hampered by having to answer little noises, little noises,” Abella said.

 

“He has repeatedly said that he will not talk anymore, right? But the fact is the conversation like I said in the beginning, will continue. There will be a conversation and what you need to know you will be able to know,” he added.

 

The relationship between Duterte and journalists turned sour after he got heavy criticism for saying that some slain media workers were involved in extortion and other questionable deals.

 

Duterte has vowed not to grant media interviews until his term ends.