Petition for Philippine Access to Information Law
Truth, Accountibility, Reform
House OKs freedom of information bill on 3rd reading
The House of Representatives has approved on third reading House Bill 3732 also known as the Freedom of Information Act of 2008, Speaker Prospero Nograles said Friday.
In a statement, Nograles vowed to institutionalize and strengthen the country's legal mechanism that promotes the people's right of access to information on matters of public concern as guaranteed by the Constitution.
"The people's right to know is sacred. We just passed the enabling legislation giving life to the constitutionally mandated right of access to information which also promotes people empowerment," he said.
Authored by Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr. and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, the measure compels all government offices into complying with requests for information. The bill covers all government offices in the executive, legislative and judiciary, including local government, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institution, Constitutional Commissions and other offices created by the Constitution.
To give teeth to the proposed law, Abante said HB 3732 also provides criminal and administrative penalties for violation of the Act.
Under the measure, requesting parties shall make the request in writing with the exact information needed and the reason for the request. The government office concerned shall grant or deny the request within 10 calendar days from the receipt of the request.
"This Act shall not be interpreted as a bar to any claim or denial of the right of the people to information under Article III, Sec. 7 of the 1987 Constitution," Abante said.
He added, however, that the proposed law exempts information declared by the President as "classified", information on internal and external defenses and law enforcement purposes, information obtained by Congress in an executive session, information on medical and personal records which could constitute invasion of privacy, and information pertaining to ongoing treaty negotiations, among others.
Among the other major proponents and authors of the consolidated bill are: Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Reps. Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Del de Guzman, Joel Villanueva, Teodulo M. Coquilla, Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Orlando Fua, Marcelino Teodoro, Edgar Chatto, Liza Maza, Crispin Beltran Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casino, Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Ernesto Pablo, Aurelio Gonzales and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, among others.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=118491
In a statement, Nograles vowed to institutionalize and strengthen the country's legal mechanism that promotes the people's right of access to information on matters of public concern as guaranteed by the Constitution.
"The people's right to know is sacred. We just passed the enabling legislation giving life to the constitutionally mandated right of access to information which also promotes people empowerment," he said.
Authored by Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr. and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, the measure compels all government offices into complying with requests for information. The bill covers all government offices in the executive, legislative and judiciary, including local government, government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institution, Constitutional Commissions and other offices created by the Constitution.
To give teeth to the proposed law, Abante said HB 3732 also provides criminal and administrative penalties for violation of the Act.
Under the measure, requesting parties shall make the request in writing with the exact information needed and the reason for the request. The government office concerned shall grant or deny the request within 10 calendar days from the receipt of the request.
"This Act shall not be interpreted as a bar to any claim or denial of the right of the people to information under Article III, Sec. 7 of the 1987 Constitution," Abante said.
He added, however, that the proposed law exempts information declared by the President as "classified", information on internal and external defenses and law enforcement purposes, information obtained by Congress in an executive session, information on medical and personal records which could constitute invasion of privacy, and information pertaining to ongoing treaty negotiations, among others.
Among the other major proponents and authors of the consolidated bill are: Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Reps. Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Del de Guzman, Joel Villanueva, Teodulo M. Coquilla, Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Orlando Fua, Marcelino Teodoro, Edgar Chatto, Liza Maza, Crispin Beltran Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casino, Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, Ernesto Pablo, Aurelio Gonzales and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, among others.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storyPage.aspx?storyId=118491
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rhia on -
Hi!
When are we going to meet Atty. Nepo? Since the bill would be transmitted to the Senate anytime soon.
Nweys, here are the members of the Public Information and Mass Media Committee in the Senate:
Chairperson : REVILLA Jr., Ramon “Bong” B.
Vice-Chairperson :
Members :
CAYETANO, “Compañera” Pia S.
HONASAN II, Gregorio "Gringo" B.
GORDON, Richard J.
ZUBIRI, Juan Miguel F.
LAPID, Manuel “Lito” M.
AQUINO III, Benigno "Noynoy" S.
LEGARDA, Loren B.
MADRIGAL, M.A.
Ex Officio Members :
EJERCITO ESTRADA, Jinggoy (Pro-Tempore)
PANGILINAN, Francis “Kiko” N. (Majority Leader/ Chairman of Committee on Rules)
PIMENTEL Jr., Aquilino Q. (Minority Leader)
:-)
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Permalink Reply by Pippo B on -
I've been calling to follow up with Atty. Malaluan regarding that meeting, but no confirmation yet. Will message the e-group / post here as soon as I find out.
Originally, he said he was aiming for a presscon this Wednesday but I have a feeling it wont push through because no-one in his office knows about it yet.
Thanks for the info Rhia and Paeng!
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