For Your Information: What You Can Do to Support FOI

We can do several things to contribute to the campaign for Freedom of Information. Here are only some of them:

• Before anything else, read the FOI Bill. Going through it is a breeze. It may be 15 pages long, but we’re pretty sure you’ll get what it’s all about easily: http://youth4foi.blogspot.com/p/the-foi-bill.html.

• Find out who your District Representative is and write to him or her to support the FOI Bill. The more letters you and your friends send, the more chances of ensuring that your legislator will fulfill his or her role to represent your interests. You can find their contact information here: http://bit.ly/QCpgsI.

• Don’t forget the Party-List Representatives. They have equal powers and responsibilities as District Representatives in committee meetings and plenary sessions. Write to them as well: http://bit.ly/RscmNk.

• You don’t have to be geographically limited in choosing which Representative to write to. If you’re students, it would also be helpful if you write to your schools alumni in Congress. Many of them were actually student leaders back in the day, so why don’t you use that to your advantage to further a cause that you student leaders of today believe in.

• Write to the members and officers of the Committee on Public Information of the House of Representatives: http://bit.ly/SWBrNp.

• Let’s not leave out the Senate. Even if their FOI Bill (which they call the POGI Bill) is moving faster that its House counterpart, it would also be beneficial if we write to our Senators: http://bit.ly/UALusQ.

• At the local level, you can tap officials in your city or municipality to pass a resolution supporting the FOI proposal in Congress. It may not have the force of law, but a resolution of support from your locality would be a big contribution to the people’s clamor for transparency. Just make sure the adopted resolution gets to our legislators in the House and Senate.

• Get media attention through activities that call for the passage of the FOI Bill. These activities should be creative, innovative, and of course, within the bounds of the law. You can hold a forum, a press conference, a mobilization, etc. Contact your local media organizations beforehand  so they will be ready to cover your event.

• Educate our fellow young people by holding discussions on the FOI Bill. This is a great way to recruit them to our campaign for accountability and transparency in government. Remember, just like with FOI, information is empowerment.

• Take social media by storm. Post, share, blog, and tweet about FOI. For Twitter, use the hashtag #FOInow. You can also retweet us at https://twitter.com/Youth4FOI.

• Since you’re already online, tweet our legislators to support the bill. A lot of them actually have Twitter accounts: http://bit.ly/Scuu0e.

• Sign the petition at http://ifoi.ph/support/.

• Get a PicBadge at http://bit.ly/P3RBsR.

• You can also show your support through SMS! Text ‘I support FOI <space> NAME <space> AGE <space> CITY/MUNICIPALITY’ and send to 0919FOI5501 (09193645501).

• Have your organization write a statement of support for FOI. We’d be glad to forward this to our legislators. Email us at Youth4FOI@gmail.com.

• Your organization can also be one of the signatories of our manifesto: http://youth4foi.blogspot.com/p/our-manifesto.html.Send us a message through our Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/Youth4FOI] or email us to express your intent to sign so we can add your organization immediately.

• Join us in attending hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate. Watch out for updates in our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Youth4FOI.

Marami pang maaaring gawin para maisulong ang ating panawagan na mapasa ang FOI bilang batas. Kabataan, magbuklod tayo para sa isang pamahalaang bukas at may pananagutan! 

UP KAPPP: FOI tungo sa Isang Makatotohanan, Makabuluhan, at Makabayang Pamahalaan!

UP Kalipunan para sa Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiyang Pilipino (UP KAPPP) 

is a partner organization of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI).

UP POLITICA: Uphold the People's Right to Know!

UP People-Oriented Leadership in the Interest of Community 

Awareness (POLITICA) is a partner organization of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI).

UPD CSSP Student Council: Informed and Empowered

"The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law."

Article III (Bill of Rights), Section 7

1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines

Today, September 28, marks the International Right to Know Day. With the same goal as the Freedom of Information Bill, this event highlights the right of citizens to access to information from public offices. Ultimately, this paves the way towards a more transparent and accountable government. 

President Benigno Aquino III promised right after his electoral victory to prioritize the FOI Bill. However, it is disappointing to know that up to now, a semblance of a scheduled committee hearing in October has been the only progress for this piece of legislation. 

We, the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council, emphasize the urgent need for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill. We call on our legislators to fulfill their promise of a committee hearing this October. It is about time that we prioritize this because aside from being an anti-corruption tool, the FOI Bill also provides an avenue for participatory governance. This will result to the creation of an atmosphere of openness and honesty in a government whose power emanates from the Filipino people.

With the FOI Law, we will gain access to information that will empower us as citizens. With the FOI Law, we can become citizens who are actively involved in catalyzing change in society.

CSSP, tuloy tayo sa laban para sa isang pamahalaang bukas at may pananagutan!

Tuloy tayo sa pagsasabatas ng FOI Bill!

The CSSP Student Council of the University of the Philippines - Diliman is the convenor of the FOI Youth Initiative. To know more about the FYI, click the link: https://www.facebook.com/Youth4FOI 

The FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) is a network of youth and student organizations that are committed in being involved in the campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill in Congress. FYI is part of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition.

FYI: One with the World on the International Right to Know Day 2012

The FOI Youth Initiative's social media campaign has been included in the map of worldwide events in celebration of the International Right to Know Day 2012 at the Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet) website. FOIAnet is an international information-sharing network working to promote the right of access to information. Help us share our message calling for the passage of the FOI Law in the Philippines! #FOInow!

BUKLOD CSSP: September 28 is International Right to Know Day. Pass the FOI Bill!

A strong democracy is built on an informed electorate. In keeping with the spirit of International Right to Know Day, we in BUKLOD CSSP remain steadfast in our call for the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill.

For the last fourteen years, our leaders have failed to pass into law the FOI Bill - an essential piece of legislation that will allow public access to documents that are crucial in ensuring the transparency and accountability of our leaders. These documents include public officials’ SALNs, and the details of how legislators spend their pork barrels. We remain deprived of the tools to assess our government’s actions and make well-informed electoral decisions. This hindrance to information is a hindrance to democracy. Such deprivation is an affront to our right to know, and we refuse to remain in the dark.

We in BUKLOD CSSP call on our administration, especially the Chairman of the Committee on Public Information Ben Evardone, whose inaction has resulted in a delay in the legislative process, and President Aquino whose promise to fight corruption is hinged on this piece of legislation, to delay no more. Pass the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL!

ISKOLAR PARA SA BAYAN, MAY KARAPATAN KANG MAKAALAM AT MAKIALAM!

ANG FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL ANG ASPALTO SA DAANG MATUWID. IPASA NA ANG FOI BILL!

BUKLOD CSSP is a partner organization of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI).

UP ETC: We support the FOI Bill!

UP Economics Towards Consciousness (UP ETC) favors the passage of Lorenzo Tañada’s version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill. We believe that this bill would improve transparency and responsibility in the government and provide easier access to data for academic research.

The FOI Bill holds government officials responsible and accountable and empowers its citizens. In a participative democracy, the responsibility to monitor the performance of public officials rests on the citizens. Hence, greater transparency fosters a healthy democracy. The FOI Bill, imposes criminal liabilities to any agency that withholds access of information from the public. We strongly believe that this law would help eradicate corruption. It would also lessen the cost of acquiring information, motivating the citizens to be vigilant and participative

This bill would also empower the academe. Access to knowledge and information would greatly benefit students, professionals and researchers with their academic endeavors. This more accessible information could help improve the state of the public sector, in the provision of government services and, even the private sector

Along with the freedom of access to information, there is a need for a provision that will hold users of information responsible for any misinterpretation or falsification of public information which may cause public confusion. The system of record-keeping must also be improved and well-designed to prevent the loss or misplacement of important documents.

UP ETC is firm in its stand to support the passage of Tañada’s Freedom of Information Bill to improve transparency and to reduce the costs of accessing information.

UP Economics Towards Consciousness (UP ETC) is a 

partner organization of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI).

Pahayag ng UP ALYANSA para sa International Right to Know Day

Malinaw na naninindigan ang UP ALYANSA sa agarang pagpasa ng Freedom of Information Bill. Karapatan natin magkaroon ng gobyernong responsable sa pamamahala, sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaalang-alang ng ating karapatan sa mahahalagang impormasyon. Ipasa ang FOI! Ngayon na!

Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa panawagang ipasa na ang Freedom of Information Bill! 

Nakikiisa ang UP ALYANSA sa pagdiriwang ngayong araw ng International Right to Know Day.

UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang 

Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) is a partner organization 

of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI).

For Your Information: How a Bill is Passed into Law

Letter of the House Committee on Public Information to FYI

September 24, 2012

MR. CARLO BROLAGDA
Convenor
FOI Youth Initiative (FYI)
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council
University of the Philippines
1101 Diliman, Quezon City

Dear Mr. Brolagda:

This acknowledges receipt of your letter to Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte dated August 20, 2012 and your manifesto urging the leadership of the House of Representatives to push for the enactment of the Freedom of Information bill.

Rest assured that the Committee on Public Information is working towards the passage of the appropriate legislation that would give flesh to the constitutional right of the people to information on matters of public concern.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,

REP. BEN P. EVARDONE
Chairman

For the Chairman:
CATHERINE N. MACAPAGAL
Committee Secretary

FYI, UPD CSSP Students are for Freedom of Information!

Students of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy in the University of the Philippines - Diliman have spoken: FOI NOW!

The CSSP Student Council, through their Education, Training, and Popular Struggles Committee headed by Councilor Chris Alquizalas, recently initiated a photo campaign in support of the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill involving students from their various disciplines, namely Anthropology, Geography, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. 

You can also do your own FOI NOW! photo campaign in your school or community. Print out this graphic on paper, gather your friends, and click those cameras! Don't forget to give us a link of the album by sending us a message via Facebook. Show your support for FOI! Kabataan, magbuklod para sa isang pamahalaang bukas at may pananagutan!


The CSSPSC is a partner organization of the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI).

Gusto ko open ka sa ‘kin para close tayo! (O kung bakit kailangan pa ng FOI-FOI na 'yan)

Naranasan mo na bang magmahal? Oo? Talaga?

Sige nga, gamitin mo ang imahinasyon mo saglit. Kunyari, mayroong manliligaw sa ‘yo. Susuyuin ka niya nang bongga. Matatamis na salita, mababangong pangako. Ikaw naman, todo kilig, sinagot mo rin eventually. Tapos ayan na, mag-jowa na kayo—holding hands, MOMOL... holding hands ulit. Ang saya-saya niyo lang ‘di ba?

Pero later on, parang may weird—yung tipong hindi ka mapalagay. So malamang itatanong mo si jowa, “Beh, ano na?” Parang bored ka na kasi. Walang growth yung relationship. Kaso, si jowa naman magbibigay ng assurance na everything’s fine.

Hindi e. Nakukutuban mong parang ‘di siya masyadong honest. Kaya ayan, dineretso mo na siya. “Beeeh? May tinatago ka ba sa ‘kin?” Wala raw. Huwag ka raw praning, friend.

‘Di naman pwedeng biglang pakialaman mo nang walang paalam ang cellphone niya para mag-imbestiga ‘di ba? Siyempre ang gusto mo, kapag tinanong mo siya kung okay lang bulatlatin ang inbox niya, papayag agad siya dahil wala naman siyang tinatago. Pero pag ‘di siya pumayag, ayan, paranoia mode: on—feeling mo bigla may nilalandi siyang iba. OMG!

Eh ikaw naman ‘tong makulit na humingi ng permiso kung keri lang sa kanya na sumilip ka sa messages niya. Boom. Biglang nairita siya sa ‘yo. Aray. However, may mali ka rin naman dahil may konsepto pa rin naman ng privacy.

Pero sa pagitan mo at ng gobyerno, ibang kaso naman ‘to. Hindi jowa ang gobyerno na pwedeng basta-basta na lang maglihim sa ‘yo. Bakit?

Ikaw, ang nanay mo, tatay mo, si ate, yung mga kumare mo, yung tricycle driver sa kanto, si Jennifer, yung batang nakaputi na nasa likod mo habang binabasa mo ‘to nang mag-isa sa kwarto… Teka, sino si Jennifer? . . . Anyway, going back. Ikaw at ang lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino ang naglagay sa mga pinuno natin sa pamahalaan. Ikaw at ang lahat ng mamamayang Pilipino ang pinanggagalingan ng kapangyarihan ng gobyerno, sabi nga sa Konstitusyon natin.

Oo, niligawan tayo ng mga nakaupo ngayon sa posisyon. Sinuyo nila tayo nang bongga. Matatamis na salita, mababangong pangako. Tayo naman, todo kilig, binoto rin natin sila eventually. Tapos ayan na, nanalo na ang mga nanalo… Tapos pag may tanong ka sa kanila, minsan, ang biglang sagot: “Secreeet! Walang clue! Hindi ko sasabihin! Habulin mo muna ‘kooo!” Ay, teka, sorry. Mali. Iba na yun. Pero parang ganun din naman.

Secret? Secret?! Anu-ano ba ang nililihim?

SALN o Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth ang madalas na naririnig natin noong impeachment trial ni Renato Corona. Secret kasi ang SALN niya. Tapos biglang nagkahamunan na na maglabas na rin ng SALN ang elected officials gaya ng mga nasa Kongreso. Bakit ba? Ano bang mayroon sa SALN na ‘yan? Pera-pera’t lupa-lupa lang nila ‘yan ‘di ba? Gaga. Malay mo ba kung pera na natin yun. Sa bawat taon nila sa pamahalaan, makikita mo sa SALN kung biglang lumalaki ang pera at ari-arian nila na hindi naman naaayon sa sahod nila at sa kung anuman ang mga raket nila on the side. Yung tipong “Bakit biglang may bonggang condo na si Ma’am, e mababa lang suweldo niya bilang public official tapos ang sideline lang niya ay pagbebenta ng laman. . . ng manok para sa isaw.” Malay natin, baka may nakurakot na siya.

Ang tanong mo naman, “Bakit ba? Ako ba dapat humuli sa kanya? Whistleblower ang peg? Ma-effort ha.” Ang sagot: Oo! Huwag kang umarte. Eh pera mo ang ninanakaw e. O sige, wala ka pang work at ‘di pa nagbabayad ng tax? Eh ‘di pera ng mga magulang mo ang ninanakaw! Keri lang sa’yo yun? Hindi ‘di ba?

Kaya naman kailangan natin ang FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW. Kapag mayroon nito, mas madaling ma-access ang mga dokumento at impormasyon mula sa pamahalaan natin. Hindi lang SALN ang pwedeng makita. Marami pang iba kagaya ng mga kontrata sa mga proyekto, para makita natin hindi lamang yung gagastusin at kung tama ba ang presyo, kundi kung may proyekto nga ba talaga. Simpleng paliwanag pa lang ito ng FOI. Hindi rin naman ito kumplikado, pero mahalagang gets muna natin kung bakit ‘to kailangan.

Kagaya lang ng pagkakaroon ng jowang nanligaw sa ‘yo, kapag sinagot mo na, gusto mo ng tiwala. ‘Yan din ang hinahanap natin sa pamahalaan—ang mapagkatiwalaan natin ang mga opisyal at kawani sa paglilingkod nila sa atin dahil tayo,  sabi nga nung jowa nating lahat na nasa Malacañang, ay mga ‘boss’ nila.  Sa relasyon din nating mga mamamayan sa gobyerno, gusto rin natin ng growth—yung may magagandang pagbabago kagaya ng pagsasabatas ng FOI.

Tulong-tulong tayo na mapasa ang FOI Bill para yung nanligaw sa atin noong eleksyon at yung mga tinalaga nila sa iba’t ibang ahensiya, mababantayan natin.

Sama-sama rin nating dispatsahin ang mga MH—ang mga malalaking hadlang na ayaw sa pagkakaroon ng openness sa mga tanggapan ng gobyerno natin.

Tara, kumilos tayo para magkaroon ng batas na FOI para sa isang pamahalaang bukas at may pananagutan sa mamamayan!

Sana gobyernong may FOI ka na lang… Bakit? Kasi gusto ko open ka sa ‘kin para close tayo!

[Gets mo na? Keri! Pero mas maganda kung mabasa mo muna ang aktwal na FOI Bill. May kopya rito. 'Yan ang version na tatalakayin pretty soon sa House of Representatives Committee on Public Information this October. Let's cross our fingers... No, wait. Let's be there also to show our support and to pressure our legislators! Fight!]

[FYI in Sun.Star] FOI bill proponents told: Don't lose hope

From http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/09/21/foi-bill-proponents-told-dont-lose-hope-244115.

House committee on public information chairman Ben Evardone told proponents of the freedom of information (FOI) bill not lose hope on its approval as it is scheduled to be tackled again next month after more than a year of deferred hearings.

Evardone said he has talked to House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. that he will calendar the FOI bill after the approval on third reading of the proposed 2013 national budget scheduled on October 15.

"Definitely, there's still a chance for the FOI bill. Don't lose hope," Evardone said in an interview.

Most likely, the FOI measure will be approved -- at least in the committee level -- next month, he added.

Evardone earlier said he has prepared a PowerPoint presentation on the FOI bill in case the House leadership schedules a caucus on the proposed law.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said earning the support of lawmakers through a caucus would make it easier for the FOI bill to be enacted into law.

"With regard to the FOI bill, although it's controversial, as soon as there's a common consensus, it will be easier to shepherd it," he said in an earlier interview.

The measure, which will allow greater access to government records, was earlier calendared in the committee level on August 7.

The hearing, however, was deferred because another controversial measure, the reproductive health (RH) bill, was initially scheduled in the plenary on the same day.

Meanwhile, youth leaders also wrote to Speaker Belmonte asking him to push for a committee hearing on the FOI bill.

"We recognize the concerns of some Representatives on particular provisions on the measure, but it is in our strong belief that these can truly be addressed in the different stages of the legislative process once the bill is reported out of the Committee," said Carlo Brolagda, convenor of the FYI.

The group, who calls themselves the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI), said an FOI law will "curb corruption and advance participatory governance."

The manifesto was signed by 33 youth organizations and student councils. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)

Youth leaders call for immediate committee hearing of FOI Bill

Earlier today, the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) submitted letters and the manifesto of youth and student organizations for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill to the House of Representatives. The FYI is a network of youth and student organizations “that are committed in being involved in the campaign for the passage of the [FOI] Bill.”

The group sent a letter to Speaker Sonny Belmonte asking him to join the call “for transparency and accountability by pushing for a hearing on the FOI Bill in the Committee on Public Information chaired by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone.”

In another correspondence, the FYI urged Rep. Evardone “to conduct a hearing on the FOI Bill in order for it to be passed in the 15th Congress.”

“We recognize the concerns of some Representatives on particular provisions on the measure, but it is in our strong belief that these can truly be addressed in the different stages of the legislative process once the bill is reported out of the Committee,” said Carlo Brolagda, Convenor of the FYI and the Chairperson of the UP Diliman CSSP Student Council.

The manifesto was signed by thirty-three (33) youth organizations and student councils. 

[FYI in PCIJ] FYI for FOI: Youth, students demand right to know, now

From http://pcij.org/blog/2012/09/11/fyi-for-foi-youth-students-demand-right-to-know-now.

The youth and students have spoken: They want to see the Freedom of Information Act passed pronto!

Organizations of the youth and students launched this week the FOI Youth Initiative (FYI) on Facebook, in their resolve to be fully involved in the campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act in Congress.

FYI is part of The Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, a network of over 160 civil society organizations from labor, business, media, the churches, and various professions that has been at the forefront of the campaign for the passage of the FOI Act in the last 14 years.

On its Facebook page, FYI expressed full “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,” it said. “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.”

Initiated by the Student Council of the University of the Philippines’ College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), FYI said Malacañang must “not merely express support for the FOI Bill, but (also) strongly push for its enactment in fulfillment of its promise of change under the Administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.”

Just as important, FYI urged “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.”

FYI also exhorted “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.”

[FYI in PCIJ] Youth to Congress: ‘FOI is our issue, too!’

From http://pcij.org/blog/2012/09/11/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.

UP ETC: Yakal, Usap Tayo (A Dormitory Discussion Group)

UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC) is a 
partner organization of the FOI Youth Initiative.

Youth leaders: "FOI is our issue, too"

In light of the delay in hearing the consolidated Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the House of Representatives, youth groups expressed their desire for the measure to be immediately tackled by the Committee on Public Information chaired by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone.

Youth leaders recently formed the FOI Youth Initiative or the FYI, a network of organizations and student councils “that believe that transparency and accountability are prerequisites for genuine social transformation.” These groups come from schools such as the University of the Philippines System, the Ateneo de Manila University, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the College of Saint Benilde.

Carlo Brolagda, one of the FYI’s convenors and the Chairperson of the UPD CSSP Student Council, said that “it is high time that the youth join in the clamor for the FOI to be passed into law. This is our issue, too.”

“We are stakeholders of this country’s future. This is why we should be in solidarity with the campaign for the bill’s enactment,” added Brolagda.

The FYI also voiced out their dismay over the inaction of the Rep. Evardone in allowing the bill to be heard in the Committee. “We don’t buy the excuses. Malacañang has already given its support for FOI. They even have their own version. Why Chairman Evardone seems to be dilly-dallying with calendaring the bill is beyond us,” he said.

The group released a manifesto signed by its partner youth and student organizations calling on lawmakers “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.” They also commended the 117 legislators from the House of Representatives who declared their commitment in passing the FOI Bill in a manifesto that was circulated by its authors, Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada and Rep. Walden Bello.

The FYI vowed to join in efforts of other sectors to lobby for the FOI Bill and to “recruit more young people to the campaign transforming a government that is genuinely transparent and accountable to the Filipino people.”