JOB VACANCY

MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH ASSOCIATE

Focus on the Global South Philippines Programme is in need of a MEDIA       
COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH ASSOCIATE to join a team working
on various thematic programmes – deglobalization and trade, the commons, alter-
natives, peace and security and climate justice.

For more information click here .

Focus Job Openings

Focus on the Global South - Internship Programme
righttoknow
Focus on the Global South-Philippines joins the Right to Know. Right Now! Campaign for the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information Act!
To download FOI Highlights click here
To downloal FOI Bicameral Bill click here
blackribbon
Focus condemns the impunity of the Ampatuan Massacre, and joins the nation's call for justice.

Announcement

Navigating Critical Waters: The Maude Barlow Water and Climate Justice Speaker Tour.
Focus on the Global South Philippines Programme.
Deconstructing Discourse and Activist Retooling Programme.

16-19 March 2010. Click here for more information

Links

IMG_7477
Home
Country Awaits Freedom of Information Law PDF Print E-mail


On 12 May 2008, the House of Representatives passed on third reading House Bill 3732, or the Freedom of Information Act. On 14 December 2009, the Senate completed its action on the measure with the passage on third reading of Senate Bill 3308. After close to 23 years since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, Congress is finally close to addressing the lack of legislation that has allowed the routine violation by government agencies of the people’s right to information. 

We, representatives of over 100 organizations and coalitions comprising public-interest groups, environmental protection advocates, independent media groups, print and broadcast journalists, farmers organizations and support groups, women’s organizations, private and public sector labor unions, migrant workers, businessmen, academic institutions, and student and youth organizations, await with anticipation the day when the Freedom of Information Act finally becomes law.

We fully support the recommendation made by Representatives Erin Tañada and Joel Villanueva for a full adoption by the House of Representatives of S. No. 3308. We share their evaluation that S. No. 3308 is as much a House version as it is a Senate version. Having actively participated in the House and Senate legislative processes on the measure, we confirm their observation that the Senate Committee on Public Information chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano adopted H. No. 3732 as starting point for their work. The amendments introduced by the Senate address remaining legitimate concerns raised by stakeholders and by Senators.

When passed into law, the Freedom of Information Act will provide the much needed substantive and procedural details that will make fully operational the Constitutional right of the people to information and the state policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.

First, it will provide a standard and definite procedure in dealing with requests for information. Requests, submitted personally, by mail, or through electronic means, need to be complied with by government agencies in seven days.

Second, requests may be denied only when the information falls under exceptions narrowly defined and clearly specifying the legitimate public interest in keeping them secret. These exceptions pertain to national defense, foreign affairs, law enforcement, personal privacy, trade secrets, Congressional executive sessions, drafts of adjudicatory decisions, privileged information in legal proceedings, and such other information exempted by law or the Constitution.

Third, in cases of denial of access, citizens are given the right to appeal administratively, or to ask for review by the Ombudsman or by the Courts. Where the denial appears to be valid, the Act gives citizens the opportunity to prove a greater or overriding public interest in disclosure. Where the denial is illegal, the citizen concerned may file the appropriate criminal or administrative complaint.

Fourth, it will provide implementing mechanics for disclosure to the public, without need of request from anyone, of government transactions of utmost public interest such as procurement and infrastructure contracts, concession agreements, loans, and international agreements.

Fifth, it will provide numerous mechanisms for the active promotion of openness in government, such as the introduction of standards for the keeping of records, the obligation to publish important organizational information of agencies, and the requirement for government agencies to prepare a Freedom of Information Manual to guide citizens’ access to information.

The Freedom of Information law will empower all of us to plant the seeds of strategic and irreversible governance reform in the country. Only the cynical and the forces of unaccountable and rapacious governance will stand in the way of its passage.

With only nine session days left for the 14th Congress to finish legislation from the time it resumes session on January 18 up to the time it adjourns for the elections on February 5, we keep faith that our Senate and House of Representatives will deliver.

With the Senate having named its delegates to the bicameral conference committee and transmitted the Freedom of Information bill to the Lower House, the ball shifts back to the court of the Lower House to do its part. We appeal to Speaker Prospero Nograles to respond to the people’s clamor, and on January 18 to lead the House in concurring with S. No. 3308, or at the very least in naming its representatives to the bicameral conference committee and immediately convening the same.

As we have done in the Senate during the most crucial session days last year, we will march to the House of Representatives when it resumes session on January 18 to claim our freedom of information. Right to know. Right now!

11 January 2010.

1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan    Action for Economic Reforms (AER)
2. Dr. Florangel Rosario - Braid    Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
3. Dean Antonio La Viña    Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
4. Ms. Angelica Simone Mangahas    Ateneo Debate Society
5. Ms. Adelina Alvarez    Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)
6. Prof. Luis Teodoro    Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
7. Atty. Roberto Cadiz    LIBERTAS
8. Mr. Sonny Fernandez;    National Union of Journalists of the
      Mr. Nestor Burgos     Philippines (NUJP)
9. Mr. Bartholome Guingona    pagbabago@pilipinas
10. Ms. Malou Mangahas    Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
11. Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin    Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN)
12. Mr. Joshua Mata    Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)   
13. Mr. Alberto Lim    Makati Business Club                 
14. Ms. Ellene Sana    Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
15. Ms. Ester Perez Tagle    Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
16. Ms. Luz Malihiran    Community Organizers Multiversity
17. Mr. Sammy Gamboa    EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines
18. Mr. Al Alegre    Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
19. Mr. Milo Tanchuling    Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
20. Ms. Judy Pasimio    Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center - Kasama sa Kalikasan
21. Atty. Ma. Tanya Karina Lat;    IDEALS, Inc.
      Mr. Arnel Mateo   

22. Mr. Jude Esguerra;    Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
      Mr. Doy Cinco   
23. Mr. Ric Serrano    La Liga Policy Institute
24. Mr. Rey Rasing    Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
25. Atty. Farah Marie Decano              Lady Local Legislators’ League of the Philippines, Inc. (Four-L Phils.)
26. Mr. Raymond Marvic C. Baguilat    University of the Philippines - Law Student Government
27. Mr. Ed Mora    Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
28. Mr. Isagani Serrano    Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
29. Ms. Annie Geron    Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
30. Mr. Carlos Magtolis, Jr.    Siliman University – ASPAP
31. Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez    Center for People Empowerment in Governance
32. Mr. Joseph Purugganan    Stop the New Round Coalition
33. Dr. Sixto K. Roxas    Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Development
34. Mr. Ben-Hur Sacopla    Southern Luzon State University ASPAP – Region IV
35. Ms. Eirene Aguila    Team RP
36. Prof. Leonor M. Briones    Social Watch Philippines
37. Ms. Mae V. Buenaventura    Women’s Legal Bureau, Inc.
38. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez    Focus on the Global South – Philippines Program
39. Mr. Ramon Tuazon    Philippines Communication Society
40. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo;    WomanHealth Philippines
      Mercedes Fabros

41. Dr. Buenaventura B. Dargantes    Program on Integrated Water Resources    
    Management RDE, Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies, Visayas State University
42. Mr. Mr. Boy Nuera    Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
43. Mr. Roy Calfoforo     People's Alternative Studies Center for Research and Education in Social Develoment (PASCRES)
44. Mr. Alain Pascua    Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
45. Mr. Horacio T. Cadiz    The Philippine Network Foundation, Inc (PHNET)
46. Mr. Joe Valencia     KASAPI-HELLAS
47. Mr. Nestor Villanueva     Akbayan Greece
48. Mr. Sixto Donato Macasaet    CODE-NGO
49. Mr. Jun S. Aguilar    Filipino Migrant Workers
50. Mr. Pablo Rosales    Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda (PANGISDA)
51.    Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKKM)
52.    Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
53. Ms. Lourdes M. Tison    Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
54. Mr. Abby Y. Pato    Task Force on Food Sovereignty Mindanao
55. Ms. Karen Tañada    Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute
56. Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido    Negros Peace Watch
57. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran II    Philippines Communication Society
58. Ms. Aurora Regalado     Management Organization for Development and Empowerment, Inc.
59. Mr. Ernesto Lim Jr.    People’s Campaign on Agrarian Reform (AR NOW!)
60. Mr. Anthony Marzan    KAISAHAN
61. Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera    Alyansa Tigil Mina
62. Ms. Luz Cabucos-Fegarido    RSW
63. Ms. Maria Lisa Alano    Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Inc.
64. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran II    Philippines Communication Society
65. Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Tison    Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
66. Mr. Joel Saracho    GCAP-Phils
67. Ms. Trinidad Domingo    Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
68. Mr. Richard Gutierrez     Ban Toxics
69. Mr. Nonoy Oplas    Minimal Government Thinkers
70. Mr. Harvey Keh                   Kaya Natin! Movement
71. Mr. Czarina Sacaguing        Confederation of Student Government in the Philippines
72. Mr. Byron Abadeza     Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific
73. Dr. Ma. Olivia Domingo    Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, UP-NCPAG
74. Dr. Angelo Ramos    Philippine Community e-Center Network
75. Ms. Mae Sabio    Sulong CARPER
76. Mr. Diosdado Calmada    PEACE
77. Ms. Lanie Factor    Task Force Mapalad
78. Ms. Maris Dela Cruz - Cardenas    EmPOWER Consumers
79. Mr. Wilson Fortaleza    Partido ng Mangagawa
80. Atty. Elpidio Peria    Third World Network
    Vice Chairman, Social Concerns Committee, IBP South Cotabato – General Santos City Chapter
81. Prof. Gigi Francisco    Miriam College - International Studies Department
82. Mr. Obet Pagdanganan    Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency (CHAT)
83. Mr. Omi Royandoyan    Centro Saka
84. Ms. Carolyn Arguillas    MindaNews
85. Mr. Abner Francisco    DXCA – FM
86. Ms. Florencia Casanova-Dorotan     Women’s Action Network for Development
87. Ms. Violeta Corral    Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan
88. Mr. Crispino Aguelo    Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
89. Ms. Michelle Domocol    Visayas Climate Action Network
90. Judge Dolores L. Español (Ret.)    Transparency International – Philippines
91. Mr. Roby Alampay    Southeast Asian Press Alliance
92. Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles     International Center on Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)
93. Ms. Maita Gomez    Bantay Kita
94. Mr. Rey Hulog     Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
95. Mr. Jose Pavia     Philippine Press Institute
96. Mr. Isagani Yambot     Philippine Daily Inquirer
97.     College Editors Guild of the Philippines
98. Ms. Emy M. Santos     National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
99. Ms. Tes M. Borgoños    Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (MAKALAYA)
100. Ms. Marilyn Fuentes    National Union of Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW)
101. Atty. Michael Yu    Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Cebu City Chapter
102. Dr. Prospero E. de Vera    National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines
103. Sylvia  Estrada Claudio, M.D. PhD. Center for Women’s Studies, University of the Philippines
104. Mr. Viktor Samuel Fontanilla    UP ALYANSA
105. Ms. Anna Luz Lopez    UP BUKLOD CSSP
106. Mr. Jeffrey Crisostomo    AKBAYAN Youth - UP Diliman
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]