House Bill 3732 or the Freedom of Information Act has been approved on third reading at the House of Representatives on 12 May 2008.  It is now in the Senate for approval.

“The people’s right to information is an indispensable element of a functioning democracy,” the Access to Information Network (ATIN) said in its appeal to the Senate. The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) is a member of ATIN.

According to ATIN, “The ideal of a ‘government by the people’ presupposes that the people have access to information on matters of public concern. The free flow of information about the affairs of government paves the way for public participation and fosters accountability in government.”

In its position paper submitted to the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media Chairman, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., ATIN underscored the need for the provision on coverage and access to information to “clearly cover all possible government agency or instrumentality in all branches of government, as well as all possible information in government custody regardless of the form or format in which it is stored, by whom it is created, and its stage or status.” ATIN noted in the same paper that the lack of uniform procedure for access to information in various government agencies has been frustrating for the public who are unable to exercise their right.

ATIN also noted that due to lack of definite procedure and scope, there is no basis for imposing administrative or penal sanctions. Thus, legislation which would specify punishable acts would impose a deterrent to “the unlawful withholding of information,” ATIN said.
 
ATIN requested Sen. Revilla to consider the approved House version to minimize potential differences between the two chambers. ATIN is a growing network advocating people’s enjoyment of their right to information. Its other members are   Action for Economic Reforms, Ateneo Debate Society, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Lawyers’ League for Liberty (LIBERTAS), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Pagbabago@ Pilipinas, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and Transparency and Accountability Network.