The Right to Know, Right Now! network urged the Senate to sustain the momentum by immediately approving the bill on third reading. The network said it is important for both Houses of Congress to name their respective representatives and convene the bicameral conference committee to finally pass the measure for signing by President Arroyo.
According to the network, the right to information has been held by the courts to be executory, but it is difficult to enforce in practice. The Freedom of Information Act will make the Constitutional right to know and the state policy of full disclosure of transactions involving public interest fully operable. It provides a standard procedure in dealing with requests, and clarifies the exact scope of the right. It provides implementing mechanics for the automatic disclosure of key government transactions. It also puts in place effective sanctions to deter or make accountable the violation of the right.
“The Freedom of Information Act, if passed into law, will be a significant and lasting contribution of the 14th Congress to political and governance reform in the country, to benefit our generation, and the generations to come”, said the network. – PCIJ
via Senate lauded for passing Freedom of Info bill on 2nd reading – Nation – GMANews.TV – Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs – Latest Philippine News.
Had a discussion with a former professor about the freedom of information act as practiced in the Philippines. The problem has always been about practicality, though in essence a law like this is unecessary we have a society that necessitates it. I pray that the Freedom Of Information act pave the way for a more involved polity.
I have my misgivings, of course. If GMA has showed us, with executive privilege that Mr. Neri used to hide what was said between him and the President, laws are really only as good as the people who serve under it, in some respects the law is still useless as long as we elect people who have no respect for it.