DURING my recent travel to Makati City for a briefing on the country’s Freedom of Information, we asked for whom really is this law and the direct answer we got is for every Filipino citizen.
About forty FOI Receiving Officers including this writer engaged Presidential Communication Office Assistant Secretary Christian Ablan for a three hour briefing and it was worth the travel despite the heavy three hour traffic along Edsa. Since this law is intended for all Filipinos, Ablan adds that those who requests for information must present valid identification cards issued by the government.
All information pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as government research data used as a basis for policy development, regardless of its physical form or format are covered by the FOI except information specifically authorized to be kept secret under guidelines established by an executive order that are properly classified.
Compared to the prior bills filed in Congress, this one provides access to financial information, such as SALNs of government officials, and access to other kinds of information, such as transactions by incorporating a provision making the posting/publication mandatory. The public is spared the tedious work of trying to access certain information from different agencies. Information on important legislative acts and resolutions of a public nature of the Congress of the Philippines, executive and administrative orders and proclamations of general application, decisions of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and office the President that has general application can also be disclosed under the FOI.
The bill further asks government agencies to translate key information into major Filipino languages and prepare a Freedom of Information Manual that will contain details and procedures and serve as a guide on the matter.
Requests may be submitted to the government agency concerned either personally, by mail, or through electronic means. When receiving a request, the government agency will stamp the filled up standard form indicating the date, time, and other details of the request. When submitted by electronic means, the government agency shall provide for an equivalent means by which the requirements shall be met.
The government agency shall comply with such request as soon as practicable, and in any case within 15 working days from receipt. The period may be extended for specific cases.
The government agency shall, in writing or through electronic means, notify the person making the request of the extension, the reasons for extension, and the date the information will be made available not more than 20 working days.
Once a decision is made to grant the request, the person making the request shall be notified of such and pay the required access and processing fees that may include photocopying and mailing.
If in cases where a request is not granted, the concerned government office shall notify the person making the request of such denial in writing or through electronic means within 15 working days from the receipt of the request stating clearly the ground for denial and the circumstances on which the denial is based. Failure to notify shall be deemed a denial of the request for access to information.
Following the proper procedure, denial of a request for access to information may be appealed to the head of agency, then Ombudsman, then a verified petition for mandamus may be filed in the proper court. Unlike the previously filed bills in congress, the FOI expanded the list of mandatory information for disclosure, provided a specific procedure for access, stated the exemptions in a very clear and transparent manner, and directed that the exemptions are to be strictly construed.
I would like to congratulate the region’s delegates to the 2017 National School Press Conference at Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur who made CAR as 6th Top Performing Region for Elementary Level & 7th Top Performing Region for the Secondary Level. The winners are: Raztine Ruby Picpican-First place photojournalism, Catherine Batay-an-First place-news writing, Andrei Calbid-7th place-news writing, Adrian Yadao-7th place-sports writing. For Radio Broadcasting, the Best Infomercial 6th place went to Art John Aniceto, Angela Janah Garcia, Christopher Jordan Mosqueda, Zifora Maingag, Roselle Cabautan, Cadmiel Gil Ybrahim Ildefonso and Albren Lacbao. Patricia Ann Razon bagged 5th place for feature writing and Marishel Base got 7th place in news writing. For Radio Broadcasting, the best in technical application 7th place went to SLU Lab HS. For TV broadcasting best in developmental communication, the 3rd place and best in technical application 7th place went to Jennilyn Anchong, Harvey Antero, Ian Hope Belingen, Krisha Mae Bugaling, Chantelle Cayaos, Wilfredo Talacan and Jonathan Supsupin.
For the Secondary Level, Filipino, Crystelle Hannah Tomilas got 7th place for Pagsulat ng lathalain, For Radio broadcasting, Joshua Ben Galaboc got 5th best-News Presenter. For TV Broadcasting, 6th best in technical application & 7th best in developmental communication went to John Jason Hidalgo, Matt Dominic Ticag, Azza Leah Dagyapen, Manilyn Mangosan, Kathleen Joy Martinez, Venice Pobletin, Michelle Joyce Tarectecan with Erlinda Tinaza & Geraldine Sumipit as their mentors.
Other winners in different categories are Ruena Tinong-7th place, Gerlyn Balacang-5th place with Edzel Carl A. Domingo and Ryan Christian C. Morales recognized as Outstanding Campus Journalists.