Advocates, business group want next administration to ensure forceful freedom of information law

THE POSITION of presidential candidates on transparency and accountability needs further scrutiny, said advocates and a business group, as a bill enhancing the operational provisions of the country’s laws on freedom of information remains pending in Congress.

“We talk about the concept of taxpayers’ money only in the context of debt, only in the context of corruption, but transparency and accountability when it comes to public funds is so much more than that,” said Zy-za Nadine Suzara, Institute for Leadership, Empowerment, and Democracy (I-LEAD) executive director, during a Freedom of Information (FOI) Forum on Tuesday.��

“It’s really about our socio-economic development, it’s about economic growth, and it’s about good governance.”

Ms. Suzara, citing information from the Office of the Ombudsman, said around 20% of the national budget is lost to corruption as there is lack of legislation on FOI.��

“The lack of transparency means increased discretion. We do not like discretion because it becomes so political, it becomes a tool for patronage politics,” she said.

Right to Know Right Now! (R2KRN) Coalition Co-Convenor Malou Mangahas noted that most of the prominent presidential candidates have promised the same — an open, honest government — but the public must ask for more concrete measures.��

“The key is to look at what exactly they are promising in terms of (the) program of government,” she said in the same forum.��

Ms. Mangahas, a veteran journalist, said while presidential aspirants aim to put corrupt officials behind bars, the reality is that the Philippine legal process is long and arduous.

What is needed, she said, are enactments and legislation that will ensure not only freedom of speech but also freedom to know.

Senate Bill 265 and the consolidated House version of the bill are pending with the respective Public Information and Mass Media committees of the two chambers.��

Makati Business Club Executive Director Francisco Alcuaz, Jr. said lack of information makes it harder for organizations and businesses to make plans and decisions.

“In countries with an FOI law, the business sector is the biggest customer,” he said.��

“A freedom for information law will require government to make public information available to citizens, organizations and businesses. However, it has been 35 years and counting, but a freedom of information law has still not been passed,” MBC Governance Committee Chairman Patricia A. O. Bunye said.��

“Good governance reforms are crucial in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth,” she said. “FOI will function as an anti-corruption rule.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan