Philippines: Coalition Clamor for the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill : Indybay

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FOI: A Bill that Unites 
18 January 2013 

JUST as it happened in the 14th Congress, the Senate of the 15th Congress has delivered yet again and passed on third and final reading the long-awaited Freedom of Information Act. And just as it happened in the 14th Congress, the FOI bill once again teeters on the brink of death in the House of Representatives of the 15th Congress. 

The leaders of the House have two choices: Kill the FOI bill by extended inaction, as their counterparts did in the 14th Congress, or act with dispatch and muster the political will to bring to light a law that will empower citizens to participate directly in the drive for good governance and against corruption. 

Even without a certification from the President as to the necessity of the FOI bill’s immediate enactment, the House Committee on Rules, through the Majority Leader, is empowered to declare a bill urgent to facilitate its immediate passage. This is a clear option that the House leaders can take to fast-track the bill in the nine session days left from the resumption of session on January 21 to the next adjournment on Feb. 9, 2013. 

Rule X, Section 52, of the House Rules reads: 

“Urgent Bills and Resolutions. – The Committee on Rules, through the Majority Leader, may declare a bill or resolution urgent and consider it in accordance with a timetable. The timetable, prepared by the Committee on Rules, shall fix the date when the bill or resolution must be reported by the committee concerned, the number of days or hours to be allotted to the consideration of the bill or resolution in plenary session, and the date and hour debate must be concluded and final vote taken.” 

The FOI bill is a bill that unites all sectors of Philippine society. The right to information is every citizen’s human right, and the passage of the FOI bill for the effective operationalization of this human right is every citizen’s demand. 

As things stand, the FOI bill is just a few steps away from passing into law. It would be most unfortunate if, by sheer inaction of the House, the citizens will again be denied a legislation that is truly crucial to solidifying and institutionalizing governance reforms. The pending bill in the House, without the right-of-reply rider, is already a balanced bill. It adopts fully Malacañang’s inputs addressing the President’s concerns, and enjoys wide support from stakeholders. 

The opportunity costs of not passing the bill are clear. Non-passage means a waste of painstaking efforts, resources, and taxpayers’ money. The FOI bill will have to go through, yet again, the tortuous legislative process in the next Congress. 

Yet other than these cost concerns, the death of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress could well be an indictment on how some politicians eschew political reforms, particularly those that may diminish their perks and prerogatives. The death of the FOI bill would be the supreme irony that politicians in the House seeking reelection or election to new positions could offer to voters whom they are now courting with more and newer promises of reforms. 

We challenge the members of the House of Representatives who continue to resist the passage of the FOI bill, to cast their personal fears aside and take a stand for FOI. We exhort Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to be a leader, and rally his colleagues to pass the FOI bill now. 

Signed: 

1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan, Co-Director, Institute for Freedom of Information and Co-Convenor, Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition 
2. Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD, Chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) 
3. Atty. Roan Libarios, President, Integrated Bar of the Philippines 
4. Ms. Malou Mangahas, Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism 
5. Mr. Peter Angelo V. Perfecto, Executive Director, Makati Business Club 
6. Ms. Annie Geron, General Secretary, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) 
7. Prof. Luis Teodoro, Deputy Director, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility 

8. Mr. Josua Mata, Secretary General, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) 
9. Ms. Yuen Abana, Campaign Coordinator, Partido ng Manggagawa 
10. Ms. Clarissa V. Militante 
Coordinator, Focus on the Global South, Philippines Programme 
11. Mr. Jun Aguilar; Mr. Elso Cabangon, Filipino Migrant Workers Group 
12. Mr. Max M. De Mesa, Chairperson, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) 
13. Mr. Ramon R. Tuazon, President; Dr. ?Florangel Rosario-Braid, President Emeritus & Senior Adviser; Ms. Madeline B. Quiamco, Dean 
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication 
14. Atty. Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, Executive Director, Libertás 
15. Mr. Alwyn Alburo, Vice Chairman; Ms. Rowena Paraan, Secretary-General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines 
16. Prof. Leonor M. Briones, Lead Covenor, Social Watch Philippines 
17. Ms. Maxine Tanya Hamada, Executive Director, International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) 
18. Mr. Ariel Sebellino, Executive Director, Philippine Press Institute 
19. Dr. Edna A. Co, Professor, University of the Philippines Diliman 
20. Mr. Norman Cabrera, Secretary General; Mr. John Carlos G. de los Reyes, Candidate for Senator (2013); Mr. Rizalito Y. David, Candidate for Senator (2013) 
Atty. Marwil Llasos, Candidate for Senator (2013); Mr. Carlos Cabochan, Candidate for Representative, 2nd District of Caloocan City (2013); Mr. Harry Tambuatco, Candidate for Representative, Lone district of Muntinlupa city (2013); Mr. Edilberto M. Cuenca, Candidate for Representative, 1st District of Makati City (2013); Mr. Frank Reyes, Candidate for Representative, Lone District of Mandaluyong City (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party 
21. Atty Eirene Jhone Aguila, FOI and New Politics Advocate 
22. Ms. Joy Aceron, Program Director, Government Watch/ PODER, Ateneo School of Government 
23. Mr. Sixto Donato C. Macasaet, Executive Director, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) 
24. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez, Southeast Asia Monitor for Action 
25. Mr. Vincent Lazatin, Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network 
26. Dr. Segundo Romero, Program Director, Ateneo School of Government 
27. Mr. Ricardo Reyes, President, Freedom from Debt Coalition 
28. Dr. Joseph Anthony Lim, Professor, Economics Department, Ateneo De Manila University 
29. Dr. J. Prospero de Vera, Professor, UPNCPAG, Executive Director, Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance 
30. Mr. Bong Fabe, Freelance journalist 
31. Atty. Risa Halagueña, Fellow, Action for Economic Reforms 
32. Sr. Cres Lucero, SFIC, Co-Chairperson; Mr. Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines 
33. Atty. Corazon Valdez Fabros, Lead Convenor, Stop the War Coalition Philippines 
34. Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, National Coordinator; Ms. Mercy Fabros, Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator; Ms. May-i Fabros, Coordinator of Young Women Collective; Ms. Rosheic Sims, Assistant Coordinator of Young Women Collective, WomanHealth Philippines 
35. Mr. Rolando Ocampo, Spokesperson, Prudentialife Warriors/Movement for Change and Good Governance 

36. Ms. Cielo Magno, Coordinator, Bantay Kita 
37. Mr. Red Batario, Executive Director; Ms. G. Sevilla Alvarez, Program Director, Center for Community Journalism and Development 
38. Mr. Isagani R. Serrano, President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement 
39. Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio, Director, University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies. 
40. Ms. Jessica Reyes-Cantos, Lead Convenor, Rice Watch and Action Network 
41. Ms. Ellene Sana, Executive Director, Center for Migrant Advocacy 
42. Mr. Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) 
43. Mr. Jong Pacanot, Secretary General, Freedom from Debt Coalition – Southern Mindanao 
44. Ms. Evita L. Jimenez, Executive Director, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) 
45. Ms. Andrea Maria Patricia Sarenas, Chairperson, Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE) 
46. Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJ, Ehem Anticorruption Program 
47. Mr. Jason Alacapa, Chairperson, University Student Council (UPM USC), UP Manila 
48. Ms. Jean Enriquez, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific 
49. Dr. Nymia Pimentel Simbulan, Executive Director, PhilRights 
50. Atty. Ray Paolo J. Santiago, Executive Director, Ateneo Human Rights Center 
51. Ms. Zenaida S. Mique, Executive Director, Claimants 1081 
52. Sr. Nelda L. Balaba, OND, Program Coordinator, Justice and Peace Desk – Social Action Center, Diocese of Marbel 
53. Ms. Marjorie Anne Yoro, Suprema, UP Kabataang Pilosopo Tasyo (KaPiTas), UP Diliman 
54. Ms. Moses Albiento, Chairperson, Alliance of Student Leaders (ASL), Ateneo de Manila University 
55. Mr. Joseph Angelo Gutierrez, Chairperson, Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP), UP Los Baños 
56. Mr. Tristan Daine Zinampan, Chairperson, Linking Everyone Towards Service CDC (LETS CDC), College of Development Communication, UP Los Baños 
57. Ms. Mary Ann Fuertes, Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (Davao City) 
58. Atty. Arvin A. Jo, Focal Person, The Access Initiative – Philippines 
59. Ms. April Lamentillo, Supremo, Sandigan ng mga Iskolar para sa Nagkakaisang CAS (SINAG CAS), College of Arts and Sciences, UP Los Baños 
60. Mr. Curt Russel Lopez Delfin, President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students (MACS) 
61. Mr. John Mark Salvador, President, Bagong Benilde, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde 
62. Mr. Van Battad, President, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), UP Diliman 
63. Ms. Luisa Lioanag, Bos Tsip-Tsip, UP Bukluran sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Buklod-Isip), UP Diliman 
64. Ms. Starjoan Villanueva, Executive Director, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao 
65. Mr. Joseph Purugganan, Coordinator, EU-ASEAN FTA Network 
66. Ms. Patricza Torio, Tagapangulo, UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (LIKAS), UP Diliman 

67. Ms. Marian Bahalla, Chairperson, Laban COC Party, College of Communication, Polytechnic University of the Philippines 
68. Mr. Arjay Mercado, President, UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), UP Diliman 
69. Mr. Joshua Layog, Primer, Katipunan CHE, College of Human Ecology, UP Los Baños 
70. Ms. Ema Escanilla, Speaker, UP People-Oriented Leadership in the Interest of Community Awareness (UP POLITICA), UP Diliman 
71. Mr. Edward Dayog, President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), UP Diliman 
72. Mr. JC Tejano, National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – UP System (BUKLURAN – UP SYSTEM) 
73. Ms. Ara Tan, President, UP Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), UP Diliman 
74. Mr. Ace Ligsay, Chairperson, UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA), UP Diliman 
75. Mr. Mickey Eva, President, Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition) 
76. Mr. Carlo Brolagda, Chairperson; Mr. Chris Alquizalas, Councilor, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), UP Diliman / Convenors, FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) 
77. Mr. Joshua Young, Chairperson, Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago – UPM (BIGKIS-UPM), UP Manila 
78. Mr. Viko Fumar, President, BUKLOD CSSP, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman 
79. Julliano Fernando A. Guiang, Councilor, University Student Council, UP Diliman 
Convenor, Disclose All Records (DARe) Movement 
80. Mr. Deg Daupan, President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), UP Baguio 
81. Mr. Walter Tamayo, History Department Representative, AngKAS (CSSP History Department Core Group), UP Diliman 
82. Mr. Gio Alejo, President, Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Manila University 
83. Mr. Jose Valencia, President, KASAPI Kaisahan ng Migranteng Manggagawa sa Gresya 
84. Mr. Lejun Dela Cruz, Acting Chairperson, Alab Katipunan 
85. Aurora A. Regalado, Managing Trustee, Management and Organizational Development for Empowerment (MODE) 
86. Mr. Renato Dela Cruz, President, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA) 
87. Mr. Walter Balane, President, Bukidnon Press Club 
88. Ms. Sylvia Paraguya, Chief Executive, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) 
89. Mr. Pete Pinlac, Chairperson, Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya 
90. Mr. Pablo Rosales, Chairperson, Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda 
91. Mr. Boy Alban, Chairperson, League of Urban Poor for Action 
92. Mr. Jun Pascual, Acting Chairperson, Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid 
93. Ms. Edeliza Hernandez, Executive Director, Medical Action Group 
94. Dr. Renato G. Mabunga, Chairperson, Human Rights Defenders – Pilipinas 

95. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Coordinating Committee Member, Faith-based Congress Against Immoral Debts 
96. Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Co-chairperson, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines 
97. Mr. Acmad Maruhom-Macatimbol, Executive Director, Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates 
98. Ms. Jennifer Julia Lacaba, President, Animal Concerns and Awareness Club (AC2), University of the Philippines – Visayas Tacloban College 
99. Mr. Xander Losaria, Secretary General, SENTRO – La Salle, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas 
100. Mr. Wilson Fortaleza, Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay 
101. Prof. Flordeliz L. Abanto, Broadcast Journalism Coordinator, St. Scholastica’s College, Manila 
102. Prof. Nelson J. Celis, AES (Automated Election System) Watch 
103. Prof. Angelina E. Borican, Journalism Professor, College of Communications 
Polytechnic University of the Philippines 
104. Philippines Communication Society (PCS) 

http://pcij.org/blog/ 

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