Youth to Congress:
‘FOI is our issue, too!’

WHOEVER SAID THAT the stalled Freedom of Information (FOI) bill is only meant to benefit the media apparently doesn’t have his ear to the ground – or his browser on Facebook.

Youth groups sounded the call for the immediate passage of the long-delayed FOI bill as they banded together to form the FOI Youth Initiative, or FYI. The group is a network of organizations and student councils “that believe that transparency and accountability are prerequisites for genuine social transformation,” according to a statement that the group posted online.

In its statement, the group expressed disappointment over the failure of the House of Representatives to act on the FOI after 14 years, and demanded that legislators give the measure full priority.

FYI’s full statement follows:

MANIFESTO OF YOUTH AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW

We are the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI), a network of youth and student organizations that call for transparency and accountability in government through the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill.

We are in solidarity with different sectors of society in the clamor for more solid mechanisms in ensuring governance that is open and honest to the people.

We affirm that our right to information enshrined in the Constitution* must be institutionalized through the FOI Law to guarantee that transparency among public officials and employees becomes a norm and not simply a discretion of individuals bound by their terms of office.

We believe that the FOI Law is a measure that shall curb corruption and advance participatory governance that will ultimately benefit each and every Filipino.

We appeal to Malacañang to not merely express support for the FOI Bill, but to strongly push for its enactment in fulfillment of its promise of change under the Administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

We call on the Senators and Representatives in the 15th Congress to sincerely respond to the interests of the people by eliminating all obstacles that cause the slow pace of tackling the measure in the legislative mill.

Finally, we invite our fellow young leaders to join us in ensuring the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill into law to strengthen democracy and to transform our government into a genuine instrument of social justice and social progress.

Signed:
1. Carlo Brolagda, Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
2. Viko Fumar, President, BUKLOD CSSP, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman
3. Joseph Angelo Gutierrez, Chairperson, Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP), University of the Philippines – Los Baños
4. Ace Ligsay, Chairperson, UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA), UP Diliman
5. JC Tejano, National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – UP System (BUKLURAN – UP SYSTEM)
6. Tristan Daine Zinampan, Chairperson, Linking Everyone Towards Service CDC (LETS CDC), College of Development Communication, UP Los Baños
7. Joshua Lorenzo Layog, Primer, Katipunan CHE, College of Human Ecology, UP Los Baños
8. April Lamentillo, Supremo, Sandigan ng mga Iskolar para sa Nagkakaisang CAS (SINAG CAS), College of Arts and Sciences, UP Los Baños
9. Deg Daupan, President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), University of the Philippines – Baguio
10. Joshua Young, Chairperson, Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago – UPM (BIGKIS-UPM), University of the Philippines – Manila
11. Edward Dayog, President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), UP Diliman
12. Mickey Eva, President, Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition)
13. John Mark Salvador, President, Bagong Benilde, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde
14. Curt Russel Lopez Delfin, President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students (MACS)
15. Marlon Cornelio, National Chaiperson, Akbayan Youth
16. Melba Tampakan, National Chairperson, Alliance of Progressive Labor – Youth (APL Youth)
17. Marian Bahalla, Chairperson, Laban COC Party, College of Communication, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
18. Arjay Mercado, President, UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), UP Diliman
19. Gio Alejo, President, Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila
20. Moses Albiento, Chairperson, Alliance of Student Leaders (ASL), Ateneo de Manila University
21. Benedict Nisperos, President, Law Student Government (LSG), College of Law, UP Diliman

Not surprisingly, the group also created a Facebook page, that may be accessed here.