FOI advocates to Belmonte:
Step in and save FOI

ADVOCATES of the long-delayed Freedom of Information (FOI) bill have asked House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to intervene and get the measure moving once again through the legislative mill.

In a letter sent to Belmonte’s office, members of the Right to Know Right Now Coalition, a network of 150 media and civil society organizations pushing the passage of the FOI, have asked Belmonte to take concrete steps to “ensure full deliberation and swift approval” of priority measures such as the FOI. Lead convenor Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan says the FOI bill, while already endorsed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, has been hibernating in Congress for more than half of the year already.

The coalition noted that the bill has been pending with the House committee on public information headed by Rep. Ben Evardone since President Aquino announced his support for it in January this year. Since then, the committee has only conducted one public hearing.

Coalition members expressed concern over Evardone’s statements in media that he had not been calling for another committee hearing on instruction of the House leadership.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism is a member of the coalition.

The text of the Right to Know Right Now Coalition’s letter to Speaker Belmonte follows:

HON. FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.
Speaker
House of Representatives

Subject: Freedom of Information Bill

Dear Speaker Belmonte,

We listened with rapt attention to your speech at the opening of the Third Regular Session of the House of Representatives last July 23. Among the positive pronouncements you made was one that we in the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition have been keenly waiting for. When you referred to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill as a measure already ripe for a vote, we heaved a sigh of collective relief.

Indeed, the struggle for Filipinos to have their FOI law has spanned more than a decade already. Twenty-five years after the 1987 Constitution reaffirmed in Section 7 of the Bill of Rights the right of the people to information, we are still fighting for the passage of a complementing legislation that will ensure its full operation in practice.

Thus we were heartened by your declaration that the House now intends to act on the FOI bill, and by your marching order for the 15th Congress to “seize the day”.

We are concerned, however, that almost four weeks after your speech, the FOI bill continues to languish at the Committee chaired by Rep. Ben Evardone. He did not call a hearing on August 7 contrary to his earlier public pronouncement that he will do so, and there is no indication that he intends to call such hearing anytime soon.

But what concerns us even more are Rep. Evardone’s statements, quoted in a number of media stories, that his decision not to call a hearing was upon instruction of the House leadership. We find this assertion incongruent with the commitment that you have so far expressed on FOI.

As advocates who have engaged the legislative process in earnest, we regret that we have lost faith in the sincerity and good faith of Rep. Evardone on FOI. By his actions (please see attached our recent statement outlining these acts), we have come to the conclusion that he is out to “dribble” the FOI bill to its death in the 15th Congress.

At this crucial juncture in the term of the 15th Congress, we appeal for your intervention and concrete action on the FOI bill, pursuant to the powers and duties of the Speaker to ensure full deliberation and swift approval of priority measures.

We appeal for leadership in ensuring that this long-overdue measure finally sees the light of day, to play an important institutional mechanism for an empowered citizenry, better governance, and more effective delivery of government services.

Very truly yours,

Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition

SIGNED:

1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan

Co-Director, Institute for Freedom of Information and

Co-Convenor, Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition

2. Mr. Vincent Lazatin

Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network

3. Ms. Malou Mangahas

Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

4. Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD

Chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA)

5. Ms. Annie Geron

General Secretary, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)

6. Mr. Peter Angelo Perfecto

Executive Director, Makati Business Club

7. Mr. Joshua Mata

Secretary General, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)

8. Mr. Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III

Coordinator, Action for Economic Reforms

9. Atty. Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz

Executive Director, Libertás

10. Mr. Ramon R. Tuazon, President

Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid, President Emeritus & Senior Adviser

Ms. Madeline B. Quiamco, Dean

Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication

11. Ms. Rowena Carranza-Paraan

Secretary General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

12. Mr. Red Batario, Executive Director

Ms. G. Sevilla Alvarez, Program Director

Ms. Rorie Fajardo

Center for Community Journalism and Development

13. Ms. Yuen Abana

Campaign Coordinator, Partido ng Manggagawa

14. Atty Eirene Jhone Aguila

FOI and New Politics Advocate

15. Ms. Clarissa V. Militante

Coordinator, Focus on the Global South, Philippines Programme

16. Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co?

Dean, UP?National College of Public Administration and Governance

17. Mr. Isagani R. Serrano

President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement

18. Mr. Jun Aguilar

Mr. Elso Cabangon

Filipino Migrant Workers Group

19. Ms. Melinda Quintos De Jesus

Executive Director, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility

20. Mr. Sixto Donato C. Macasaet

Executive Director, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)

21. Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo

National Coordinator, WomanHealth Philippines

22. Prof. Leonor M. Briones

Lead Covenor, Social Watch Philippines and

Chairperson, KAAKBAY Party List

23. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez

Director, Southeast Asia Monitor for Action

24. Mr. Max M. De Mesa

Chairperson, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

25. Ms. Maxine Tanya Hamada

Executive Director, The International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)

26. Mr. Norman Cabrera

Secretary General, Ang Kapatiran Party

27. Ms. Ellene Sana

Executive Director, Center for Migrant Advocacy

28. Mr. Benjie Barretto

Acting Executive Director, Foundation for Media Alternatives

29. Mr. Floro Francisco

Regional Consultant (Asia),?LO-Norway

30. Mr. Carlo Brolagda

Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council, UP Diliman

31. Mr. Viko Fumar

Chairperson, BUKLOD CSSP, UP Diliman

32. Mr. Jong Pacanot

Freedom from Debt Coalition – Southern Mindanao

33. Mr. Mike Lopez

Mr. Joseph Angelo Gutierrez

Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP)

Sr. Pilar Versoza, Founder

Mr. Eric B. Manalang, President

Prolife Philippines Foundation

35. Mr. Edgardo J.T. Tirona

Former President, Council of the Laity of the Philippines and Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

36. Mr. Edilberto M. Cuenca

Lay Coordinator, Commission on Family & Life, Vicariate of Sts. Peter and Paul, Makati City

37. Atty. Corazon Fabros, Lead Convenor

Ms. Abeline Salacata, Secretariat

Stop the War Coalition

38. Ms. Joy Aceron

Program Director, Government Watch/ PODER, Ateneo School of Government

39. Atty. Arvin A. Jo

Focal Person, The Access Initiative (TAI)-Philippines

40. Ms. Starjoan D. Villanueva

Executive Director, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)

41. Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio

Director, University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies.

42. Dr. Joseph Anthony Lim

Professor, Economics Department, Ateneo De Manila University

43. Fr. Melvin Castro

Senior Parochial Vicar, Diocese of Tarlac

44. Mr. Ace Ligsay

Chairperson, Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA), UP Diliman

45. Atty. Normita V. Batula

Executive Director, BALAOD Mindanaw

46. Mr. JC Tejano

National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – University of the Philippines System (BUKLURAN – UP System)

47. Mr. Migs Angeles

Chairperson, Akbayan Youth – University of the Philippines Diliman

48. Ms. Anabelle E. Plantilla

Chief Operating Officer, Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources

49. Ms. Carolyn O. Arguillas

MindaNews

50. Ms. Len Manriquez

Peace and Conflict Journalism Network

51. Myra Mabangque

Broadcaster, Katbalogan, Samar

52. Ms. Yolanda Fuentes

Journalist, Pangasinan

53. Mr. Bart Guingona

President, pagbabago@pilipinas

54. Dr. Renato Mabunga

Chairperson, Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas

55. Dr. Nymia P. Simbulan

Executive Director, Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PHILRIGHTS)

56. Ms. Jelen Paclarin

Executive Director, Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB)

57. Ms. Maria Fe Nicodemus

Executive Director, KAKAMMPI

58. Ms. Maria Gittel Saquilabon

Executive Director, Sumpay Mindanao

59. Mr. John Cortez – Secretary General

Makabayan-Pilipinas

60. Ms. Zenaida Mique

Executive Director, Claimants 1081

61. Mr. Emmanuel Amistad

Executive Director, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

62. Ms. Jean Enriquez

Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific

63. Mr. Roland Vival

National Campaign and Advocacy Coordinator, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura

64. Ms. Jana Cabuhat

President, University Student Government, De La Salle University

65. Mr. Edward Dayog

President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), UP College of Law

66. Mr. Curt Russel L. Delfin

President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students

67. Mr. Gibby Gorres

Executive Director, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN)

68. Mr. Gab Andres

President, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (TAPAT), De La Salle University

69. Mr. Tristan Daine Zinampan

LETS CDC, UPLB College of Development Communication

70. Mr. Joshua Lorenzo Layog

Katipunan CHE, UPLB College of Human Ecology

71. Ms. April Me Lamentillo

SINAG CAS, UPLB College of Arts and Sciences

72. Mr. Roger Abdulrachman

Chief of Operations, Project Development Institute (PDI)

73. Mr. Jelson Garcia

Asia Manager, Bank Information Center – Asia

74. Ms. Marlene Ramirez

Secretary General, AsiaDHRRA

75. Ms. Ara Tan, President

Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), UP Diliman

76. Dr. Leah Samaco Paquiz

President, Ang Nars

77. Mr. Lauro Purcil

President, Government Union for the Integration of Differently-Abled Employees (GUIDE)

78. Mr. Ray Bitancor

President, National Police Commission Employees Association

79. Mr. Jonathan Jamora

President, Bislig City Employees Association

80. Mr. Joselito Sabalbaro

President, Mindanao Polytechnic College

81. Mr. Brill Degay Daupan

President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), UP Baguio

82. Mr. Van Battad

President, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), UP Diliman

83. Mr. Salvador H. Feranil

Vice Chairperson, Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes (PhilNet-RDI)

84. Ms. Mary Ann Fuertes

Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), Davao City

85. Mr. Narciso P. Jover Jr.

Executive Director, Tri-People Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM)

86. Ms. Flordeliz Abanto

Philippine association of Communication Educators (PACE).

87. Dr. Ma. Theresa M. Rivera

College Research and Social Outreach (RSO) Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Xavier University

88. Ms. Evita L. Jimenez

Executive Director, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)

89. Mr. Nelson J. Celis

IT Convenor, Automated Election System (AES) Watch

90. Mr. Alvin Quintans

Program Manager, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking

91. Mr. Raul Socrates C. Banzuela

National Coordinator, Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)

92. Prof. Josefa “Gigi” Francisco

General Coordinator, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN)

93. Mr. Mickey Eva

National Chairperson, Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition)

94. Mr. Wilson Tiu

Save Agrarian Reform Alliance

95. Mr. Jeff Crisostomo

Convenor, FOI Youth Initiative (FYI)

96. Mr. Ritz Lee B. Santos III

Chairperson, Amnesty International Philippines

97. Ms. Remedios Gacus

Coordinator, Amnesty International Phils – Cagayan de Oro

98. Mr. Abner Francisco

Chairperson, Watchful Advocates for Transparent Clean and Honest Governance(WATCH-North Cotabato)

99. Mr. Rolly Ocampo

Spokesperson, Prudentialife Warriors and Spokesperson, Movement for Change and Good Governance

100. Joseph Purugganan

Coordinator

EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network

101. Ms. Aurora Regalado

Convenor, Rice Watch and Action Network (R1)

102. Ms. Monina Geaga

Secretary General, SARILAYA