Congressmen file bill to institutionalize freedom of information in gov't

PHILIPPINE lawmakers on Monday refiled a Freedom of Information (FOI) bill that would require government agencies to disclose monthly transactions and require top officials to release their annual statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

- Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Adrian H. Halili

Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Leila M. de Lima said the bill offers Congress a chance to act on longstanding demands for transparency, particularly after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s recent remarks condemning corruption in infrastructure spending.

“It’s about time,” she told reporters in mixed English and Filipino. “We have heard from the President during the State of the Nation Address (SONA), and it came from him that he wants to know what happened to infrastructure projects. This is actually an opportunity.”

Although the 1987 Constitution recognizes the people’s right to access public information, an enabling law is needed for full implementation.