FOI bill refiled in Senate

MANILA, Philippines - The Right to Know Right Now! coalition yesterday filed a consolidated version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) measure through an initiative bill before the Senate.

The initiative bill seeks to address the lack of definite scope and limitations to the right to information as well as the absence of a uniform and effective procedure for access to information.

It was filed under Section 3 (b) and Section 11 of Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act.

In an 18-page petition, the coalition urged the Senate to interpret the provisions of RA 6735 which allows people’s organizations to file a counterpart petition for indirect initiative with the Senate.

The FOI measure complements the right to information under the Bill of Rights, especially on the disclosure of all state transactions involving public interest.

The coalition noted that while the Supreme Court has consistently held that the right to information is self-executory, it lacks the substantive and procedural details necessary for its effective and predictable implementation.

“The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts... shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law,” their proposed measure reads.

The petitioners also filed a similar petition with the House of Representatives for the passage of its counterpart version.