ONLY ONE MORE STEP TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION by Right to Know. Right Now! Campaign 02 February 2010

Manila - Today our congratulations and gratitude goes to the 14th Congress for heeding the wide clamor for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act.

Yesterday, the Senate ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee Report that reconciles the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 3732 and Senate Bill 3308. Today, with just one session day left before they break for the elections, the House of Representatives gave the report its nod.

With the ratification by both Houses, the Speaker, as a matter of course, shall order the enrollment of the Freedom of Information Act for presentation to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Her approval of the bill, express or implied, shall be the final step needed for the country to move from a legal regime that allows government secrecy into a new legal regime that secures freedom of information. Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days from receipt of the enrolled bill to act on it, or to allow it to lapse into law without her signature.

The struggle through the legislative process has been long and arduous. As early as the 11th Congress there were attempts to push the measure forward, but the lack of legislative champions, the intervention of major legislative concerns (such as the impeachment of former President Estrada), and the challenges that go with major reform advocacies all combined to prevent the earlier passage of the act.

But the long wait did not mean wasted time. Over the protracted legislative process, we had the opportunity to continue refining the bill and to build consensus among different stakeholders.

We were able to respond positively to the concerns raised by government agencies, in a manner that did not compromise the integrity of our right to information. We generated strong commitment from champions in both Houses of Congress who have become steady and determined allies. We were able to broaden the support for the measure. From a core group of 11 organizations under the Access to Information Network (ATIN), the campaign group has grown to over 100 organizations and coalitions under the Right to Know. Right Now! Campaign, comprising public-interest groups, environmental protection advocates, independent media groups, print and broadcast journalists, farmers organizations and support groups, women’s organizations, private and public sector labor unions, migrant workers, businessmen, academic institutions, and student and youth organizations. We also reached a wider audience, with the support of media.

All these gains increase our collective capacity to make the Freedom of Information Act a working, living law after its passage.

As we await favorable Presidential action on the measure, we take this opportunity to give credit to the 14th Congress for standing for public interest.

We congratulate and thank the Lower House under the leadership of Speaker Prospero Nograles for passing its counterpart measure on third reading, House Bill 3732, as early as 12 May 2008. We especially thank House Committee on Public Information Chairman Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Rep. Erin Tañada, chairman of the committee’s Technical Working Group, for their decisiveness and efficiency in pushing for the bill’s passage even before the close of the first regular session. This allowed the Senate sufficient time to review the bill. In this endeavor, the initiative also got substantial help from Representatives Joel Villanueva, Del De Guzman, Eduardo Zialcita, Riza Hontiveros, Satur Ocampo, Juan Edgardo Angara, and other authors of the bill.

Equally, we express our congratulations and gratitude to the Senate under the leadership of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile for its action on the measure, passing Senate Bill 3308 on third reading on 14 December 2009. We especially thank Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for decisively shepherding the bill through the committee process, and in partnership with Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, for taking it forward in plenary. We thank the various bill authors for providing the measure the bipartisan support that it needed. With the interventions of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and Senator Joker Arroyo in interpellation, and the amendments introduced by Senator Santiago and Senator Francis Escudero and by the committee, the Senate has done its legislative duty of ensuring a robust measure.

We congratulate and thank all the members of the Bicameral Conference Committee: Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr., Rep. Eduardo Zialcita, Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III, Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Rep. Joel Villanueva and Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (House Panel); and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Sen. Pia Cayetano (Senate Panel). The Bicam members took the responsibility and care to ask further clarifications, and to introduce further refinements and improvements to the bill. They also unanimously signed the Bicam Report. The result is a reconciled bill that is as much a House as it is a Senate version.

Still, while the passage of the Freedom of Information Act by Congress is enough cause for celebration, we do not lose sight of the fact that it does not become law until it is approved by the President.

We await with anticipation this final act.

Right to know. Right Now!

1. Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III 4th District, Quezon Province
2. Rep. Joel Villanueva CIBAC Party List
3. Rep. Del De Guzman 2nd District, Marikina City
4. Rep. Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel Akbayan
Rep. Walden Bello
5. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan Action for Economic Reforms (AER)
6. Dr. Florangel Rosario - Braid Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)
7. Dean Antonio La Viña Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
8. Ms. Angelica Simone Mangahas Ateneo Debate Society
9. Ms. Adelina Alvarez Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)
10. Prof. Luis Teodoro Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR)
11. Atty. Roberto Cadiz LIBERTAS
12. Mr. Sonny Fernandez; National Union of Journalists of the
Mr. Nestor Burgos Philippines (NUJP)
13. Mr. Bartholome Guingona pagbabago@pilipinas
14. Ms. Malou Mangahas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
15. Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN)
16. Atty. Virginia S. Jose Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)
17. Mr. Joshua Mata Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
18. Mr. Alberto Lim Makati Business Club
19. Ms. Ellene Sana Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
20. Ms. Ester Perez Tagle Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
21. Ms. Luz Malihiran Community Organizers Multiversity
22. Mr. Sammy Gamboa EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines
23. Mr. Al Alegre Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
24. Mr. Milo Tanchuling Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
25. Ms. Judy Pasimio Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center - Kasama sa Kalikasan
26. Atty. Ma. Tanya Karina Lat; IDEALS, Inc.
Mr. Arnel Mateo
27. Mr. Jude Esguerra; Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
Mr. Doy Cinco
28. Mr. Ric Serrano La Liga Policy Institute
29. Mr. Rey Rasing Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
30. Atty. Farah Marie Decano Lady Local Legislators’ League of the Philippines, Inc. (Four-L Phils.)
31. Mr. Raymond Marvic C. Baguilat University of the Philippines - Law Student Government
32. Mr. Ed Mora Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
33. Mr. Isagani Serrano Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
34. Ms. Annie Geron Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
35. Mr. Carlos Magtolis, Jr. Siliman University – ASPAP
36. Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez Center for People Empowerment in Governance
37. Mr. Joseph Purugganan Stop the New Round Coalition
38. Dr. Sixto K. Roxas Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable Development
39. Mr. Ben-Hur Sacopla Southern Luzon State University ASPAP – Region IV
40. Ms. Eirene Aguila Team RP
41. Prof. Leonor M. Briones Social Watch Philippines
42. Ms. Mae V. Buenaventura Women’s Legal Bureau, Inc.
43. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez Focus on the Global South – Philippines Program
44. Mr. Ramon Tuazon Philippines Communication Society
45. Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo; WomanHealth Philippines
Ms. Mercedes Fabros
46. Dr. Buenaventura B. Dargantes Program on Integrated Water Resources
Management RDE, Institute for Strategic Research and Development Studies, Visayas State University
47. Mr. Boy Nuera Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
48. Mr. Roy Calfoforo People's Alternative Studies Center for Research and Education in Social Develoment (PASCRES)
49. Mr. Alain Pascua Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
50. Mr. Horacio T. Cadiz The Philippine Network Foundation, Inc (PHNET)
51. Mr. Joe Valencia KASAPI-HELLAS
52. Mr. Nestor Villanueva Akbayan Greece
53. Mr. Sixto Donato Macasaet CODE-NGO
54. Mr. Jun S. Aguilar Filipino Migrant Workers
55. Mr. Pablo Rosales Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda (PANGISDA)
56. Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKKM)
57. Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
58. Ms. Lourdes M. Tison Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
59. Mr. Abby Y. Pato Task Force on Food Sovereignty Mindanao
60. Ms. Karen Tañada Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute
61. Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido Negros Peace Watch
62. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran Philippines Communication Society
63. Ms. Aurora Regalado Management Organization for Development and Empowerment, Inc.
64. Mr. Ernesto Lim Jr. People’s Campaign on Agrarian Reform (AR NOW!)
65. Mr. Anthony Marzan KAISAHAN
66. Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera Alyansa Tigil Mina
67. Ms. Luz Cabucos-Fegarido RSW
68. Ms. Maria Lisa Alano Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM), Inc.
69. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran II Philippines Communication Society
70. Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Tison Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
71. Mr. Joel Saracho GCAP-Phils
72. Ms. Trinidad Domingo Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
73. Mr. Richard Gutierrez Ban Toxics
74. Mr. Nonoy Oplas Minimal Government Thinkers
75. Mr. Harvey Keh Kaya Natin! Movement
76. Mr. Czarina Sacaguing Confederation of Student Government in the Philippines
77 Mr. Byron Abadeza Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific
78. Dr. Ma. Olivia Domingo Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, UP-NCPAG
79. Dr. Angelo Ramos Philippine Community e-Center Network
80. Ms. Mae Sabio Sulong CARPER
81. Mr. Diosdado Calmada PEACE
82. Ms. Lanie Factor Task Force Mapalad
83. Ms. Maris Dela Cruz - Cardenas EmPOWER Consumers
84. Mr. Wilson Fortaleza Partido ng Mangagawa
85. Atty. Elpidio Peria Third World Network
Vice Chairman, Social Concerns Committee, IBP South Cotabato – General Santos City Chapter
86. Prof. Gigi Francisco Miriam College - International Studies Department
87. Mr. Obet Pagdanganan Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency (CHAT)
88. Mr. Omi Royandoyan Centro Saka
89. Ms. Carolyn Arguillas MindaNews
90. Mr. Abner Francisco DXCA – FM
91. Ms. Florencia Casanova-Dorotan Women’s Action Network for Development
92. Ms. Violeta Corral Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan
93. Mr. Crispino Aguelo Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
94. Ms. Michelle Domocol Visayas Climate Action Network
95. Judge Dolores L. Español (Ret.) Transparency International – Philippines
96. Mr. Roby Alampay Southeast Asian Press Alliance
97. Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles International Center on Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)
98. Ms. Maita Gomez Bantay Kita
99. Mr. Rey Hulog Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
100. Mr. Jose Pavia Philippine Press Institute
101. Mr. Isagani Yambot Philippine Daily Inquirer
102. College Editors Guild of the Philippines
103. Ms. Emy M. Santos National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
104. Ms. Tes M. Borgoños Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya (MAKALAYA)
105. Ms. Marilyn Fuentes National Union of Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW)
106. Atty. Michael Yu Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Cebu City Chapter
107. Dr. Prospero E. de Vera National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines
108. Sylvia Estrada Claudio, M.D. PhD. Center for Women’s Studies, University of the Philippines
109. Mr. Viktor Samuel Fontanilla UP ALYANSA
110. Ms. Anna Luz Lopez UP BUKLOD CSSP
111. Mr. Jeffrey Crisostomo AKBAYAN Youth - UP Diliman
112. Ms. Susan Ople Blas Ople Foundation
113. Mr. Romeo Cabugnasan Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
114. Initiative for International Dialogue