Full text and list of
signatories (including the FOI Youth Initiative and its partner organizations)
of the letter of the RIGHT TO KNOW, RIGHT NOW! Coalition to Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte, Jr. regarding the passage of the FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Bill:
HON. FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.
Speaker
House of Representatives
Subject: Freedom of Information Bill
Dear Speaker Belmonte,
We listened with rapt attention to your speech at the opening of the Third Regular Session of the House of Representatives last July 23. Among the positive pronouncements you made was one that we in the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition have been keenly waiting for. When you referred to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill as a measure already ripe for a vote, we heaved a sigh of collective relief.
Indeed, the struggle for Filipinos to have their FOI law has spanned more than a decade already. Twenty-five years after the 1987 Constitution reaffirmed in Section 7 of the Bill of Rights the right of the people to information, we are still fighting for the passage of a complementing legislation that will ensure its full operation in practice.
Thus we were heartened by your declaration that the House now intends to act on the FOI bill, and by your marching order for the 15th Congress to “seize the day”.
We are concerned, however, that almost four weeks after your speech, the FOI bill continues to languish at the Committee chaired by Rep. Ben Evardone. He did not call a hearing on August 7 contrary to his earlier public pronouncement that he will do so, and there is no indication that he intends to call such hearing anytime soon.
But what concerns us even more are Rep. Evardone’s statements, quoted in a number of media stories, that his decision not to call a hearing was upon instruction of the House leadership. We find this assertion incongruent with the commitment that you have so far expressed on FOI.
As advocates who have engaged the legislative process in earnest, we regret that we have lost faith in the sincerity and good faith of Rep. Evardone on FOI. By his actions (please see attached our recent statement outlining these acts), we have come to the conclusion that he is out to “dribble” the FOI bill to its death in the 15th Congress.
At this crucial juncture in the term of the 15th Congress, we appeal for your intervention and concrete action on the FOI bill, pursuant to the powers and duties of the Speaker to ensure full deliberation and swift approval of priority measures.
We appeal for leadership in ensuring that this long-overdue measure finally sees the light of day, to play an important institutional mechanism for an empowered citizenry, better governance, and more effective delivery of government services.
Very truly yours,
Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition
SIGNED:
1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan
Co-Director, Institute for Freedom of Information and
Co-Convenor, Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition
2. Mr. Vincent Lazatin
Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network
3. Ms. Malou Mangahas
Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
4. Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD
Chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA)
5. Ms. Annie Geron
General Secretary, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
6. Mr. Peter Angelo Perfecto
Executive Director, Makati Business Club
7. Mr. Joshua Mata
Secretary General, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
8. Mr. Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III
Coordinator, Action for Economic Reforms
9. Atty. Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz
Executive Director, Libertás
10. Mr. Ramon R. Tuazon, President
Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid, President Emeritus & Senior Adviser
Ms. Madeline B. Quiamco, Dean
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication
11. Ms. Rowena Carranza-Paraan
Secretary General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
12. Mr. Red Batario, Executive Director
Ms. G. Sevilla Alvarez, Program Director
Ms. Rorie Fajardo
Center for Community Journalism and Development
13. Ms. Yuen Abana
Campaign Coordinator, Partido ng Manggagawa
14. Atty Eirene Jhone Aguila
FOI and New Politics Advocate
15. Ms. Clarissa V. Militante
Coordinator, Focus on the Global South, Philippines Programme
16. Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co
Dean, UP National College of Public Administration and Governance
17. Mr. Isagani R. Serrano
President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
18. Mr. Jun Aguilar
Mr. Elso Cabangon
Filipino Migrant Workers Group
19. Ms. Melinda Quintos De Jesus
Executive Director, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
20. Mr. Sixto Donato C. Macasaet
Executive Director, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)
21. Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo
National Coordinator, WomanHealth Philippines
22. Prof. Leonor M. Briones
Lead Covenor, Social Watch Philippines and
Chairperson, KAAKBAY Party List
23. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez
Director, Southeast Asia Monitor for Action
24. Mr. Max M. De Mesa
Chairperson, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
25. Ms. Maxine Tanya Hamada
Executive Director, The International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)
26. Mr. Norman Cabrera
Secretary General, Ang Kapatiran Party
27. Ms. Ellene Sana
Executive Director, Center for Migrant Advocacy
28. Mr. Benjie Barretto
Acting Executive Director, Foundation for Media Alternatives
29. Mr. Floro Francisco
Regional Consultant (Asia),?LO-Norway
30. Mr. Carlo Brolagda
Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council, UP Diliman
31. Mr. Viko Fumar
Chairperson, BUKLOD CSSP, UP Diliman
32. Mr. Jong Pacanot
Freedom from Debt Coalition – Southern Mindanao
33. Mr. Mike Lopez
Mr. Joseph Angelo Gutierrez
Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP)
34. Sr. Pilar Versoza, Founder
Mr. Eric B. Manalang, President
Prolife Philippines Foundation
35. Mr. Edgardo J.T. Tirona
Former President, Council of the Laity of the Philippines and Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
36. Mr. Edilberto M. Cuenca
Lay Coordinator, Commission on Family & Life, Vicariate of Sts. Peter and Paul, Makati City
37. Atty. Corazon Fabros, Lead Convenor
Ms. Abeline Salacata, Secretariat
Stop the War Coalition
38. Ms. Joy Aceron
Program Director, Government Watch/ PODER, Ateneo School of Government
39. Atty. Arvin A. Jo
Focal Person, The Access Initiative (TAI)-Philippines
40. Ms. Starjoan D. Villanueva
Executive Director, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)
41. Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio
Director, University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies.
42. Dr. Joseph Anthony Lim
Professor, Economics Department, Ateneo De Manila University
43. Fr. Melvin Castro
Senior Parochial Vicar, Diocese of Tarlac
44. Mr. Ace Ligsay
Chairperson, Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA), UP Diliman
45. Atty. Normita V. Batula
Executive Director, BALAOD Mindanaw
46. Mr. JC Tejano
National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – University of the Philippines System (BUKLURAN – UP System)
47. Mr. Migs Angeles
Secretary General, Akbayan Youth – University of the Philippines Diliman
48. Ms. Anabelle E. Plantilla
Chief Operating Officer, Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources
49. Ms. Carolyn O. Arguillas
MindaNews
50. Ms. Len Manriquez
Peace and Conflict Journalism Network
51. Myra Mabangque
Broadcaster, Katbalogan, Samar
52. Ms. Yolanda Fuentes
Journalist, Pangasinan
53. Mr. Bart Guingona
President, pagbabago@pilipinas
54. Dr. Renato Mabunga
Chairperson, Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas
55. Dr. Nymia P. Simbulan
Executive Director, Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PHILRIGHTS)
56. Ms. Jelen Paclarin
Executive Director, Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB)
57. Ms. Maria Fe Nicodemus
Executive Director, KAKAMMPI
58. Ms. Maria Gittel Saquilabon
Executive Director, Sumpay Mindanao
59. Mr. John Cortez – Secretary General
Makabayan-Pilipinas
60. Ms. Zenaida Mique
Executive Director, Claimants 1081
61. Mr. Emmanuel Amistad
Executive Director, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
62. Ms. Jean Enriquez
Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific
63. Mr. Roland Vival
National Campaign and Advocacy Coordinator, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
64. Ms. Jana Cabuhat
President, University Student Government, De La Salle University
65. Mr. Edward Dayog
President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), UP College of Law
66. Mr. Curt Russel L. Delfin
President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students
67. Mr. Gibby Gorres
Executive Director, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN)
68. Mr. Gab Andres
President, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (TAPAT), De La Salle University
69. Mr. Tristan Daine Zinampan
LETS CDC, UPLB College of Development Communication
70. Mr. Joshua Lorenzo Layog
Katipunan CHE, UPLB College of Human Ecology
71. Ms. April Me Lamentillo
SINAG CAS, UPLB College of Arts and Sciences
72. Mr. Roger Abdulrachman
Chief of Operations, Project Development Institute (PDI)
73. Mr. Jelson Garcia
Asia Manager, Bank Information Center – Asia
74. Ms. Marlene Ramirez
Secretary General, AsiaDHRRA
75. Ms. Ara Tan, President
Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), UP Diliman
76. Dr. Leah Samaco Paquiz
President, Ang Nars
77. Mr. Lauro Purcil
President, Government Union for the Integration of Differently-Abled Employees (GUIDE)
78. Mr. Ray Bitancor
President, National Police Commission Employees Association
79. Mr. Jonathan Jamora
President, Bislig City Employees Association
80. Mr. Joselito Sabalbaro
President, Mindanao Polytechnic College
81. Mr. Brill Degay Daupan
President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), UP Baguio
82. Mr. Van Battad
President, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), UP Diliman
83. Mr. Salvador H. Feranil
Vice Chairperson, Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes (PhilNet-RDI)
84. Ms. Mary Ann Fuertes
Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), Davao City
85. Mr. Narciso P. Jover Jr.
Executive Director, Tri-People Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM)
86. Ms. Flordeliz Abanto
Philippine association of Communication Educators (PACE).
87. Dr. Ma. Theresa M. Rivera
College Research and Social Outreach (RSO) Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Xavier University
88. Ms. Evita L. Jimenez
Executive Director, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)
89. Mr. Nelson J. Celis
IT Convenor, Automated Election System (AES) Watch
90. Mr. Alvin Quintans
Program Manager, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking
91. Mr. Raul Socrates C. Banzuela
National Coordinator, Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)
92. Prof. Josefa “Gigi” Francisco
General Coordinator, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN)
93. Mr. Mickey Eva
National Chairperson, Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition)
94. Mr. Wilson Tiu
Save Agrarian Reform Alliance
95. Mr. Jeff Crisostomo
Convenor, FOI Youth Initiative (FYI)
96. Mr. Ritz Lee B. Santos III
Chairperson, Amnesty International Philippines
97. Ms. Remedios Gacus
Coordinator, Amnesty International Phils – Cagayan de Oro
98. Mr. Abner Francisco
Chairperson, Watchful Advocates for Transparent Clean and Honest Governance(WATCH-North Cotabato)
99. Mr. Rolly Ocampo
Spokesperson, Prudentialife Warriors and Spokesperson, Movement for Change and Good Governance
100. Joseph Purugganan
Coordinator, EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network
101. Ms. Aurora Regalado
Convenor, Rice Watch and Action Network (R1)
102. Ms. Monina Geaga
Secretary General, SARILAYA
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