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Advocates Philippines
Senate Passes FOI Bill, Bong Go Says Transparency Builds Public Trust
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The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1432, also known as the proposed People’s Freedom of Information Act, a measure co-authored by Senator Bong Go aimed at making government information more accessible to the public.
The proposed measure seeks to create a clearer and more organized process for Filipinos requesting access to government documents, records, and data. It also reinforces the constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.
Go welcomed the Senate approval, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in public service.
“Karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman ang mga impormasyong may kinalaman sa serbisyo publiko. Kung malinaw ang proseso at bukas ang impormasyon, mas napapalakas natin ang tiwala ng tao sa gobyerno,” Go said.
If enacted into law, the bill would cover information held by agencies under the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including constitutional commissions, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, and State Universities and Colleges.
According to the senator, the measure would help ordinary Filipinos gain easier access to public records without unnecessary delays or complicated procedures.
“Para sa akin, kung may hinihinging impormasyon ang mamamayan at ito ay sakop ng batas, dapat may maayos na proseso para makuha nila ito. Hindi dapat pahirapan ang tao sa impormasyong dapat naman nilang malaman,” he said.
The proposed law establishes a presumption in favor of public access, meaning government agencies would need to justify any denial of information requests based on lawful exemptions.
At the same time, the bill includes safeguards covering matters related to national security, privacy, and other protected information under existing laws.
Among the records that may be accessed under the measure are documents involving public funds, government procurement, contracts, bids, annual budgets, collections and disbursements, plantilla positions, vacancies, loans, and other transactions considered of public interest.
Go also emphasized that transparency should go hand in hand with responsible handling of public records by government offices.
“Dapat maging responsable ang bawat ahensya sa paghawak at paglalabas ng impormasyon. Kung may sistema, mas mabilis ang serbisyo, mas malinaw ang proseso, at mas maiiwasan ang pagdududa ng taumbayan,” Go said.
The bill also requires the regular online publication of certain government records to make information easier to access without citizens repeatedly filing requests.
It likewise imposes penalties for concealment, unjustified denial, destruction, tampering, alteration, or sale of public information covered under the proposed law.
For Go, the passage of the bill in the Senate is another step toward improving public trust in government institutions through transparency and accessible information.
“Ang importante, maramdaman ng tao na may malasakit ang gobyerno at handang magpaliwanag sa kanila. Kapag bukas ang impormasyon at maayos ang serbisyo, mas napapalapit ang gobyerno sa taumbayan,” he concluded.
The proposed measure seeks to create a clearer and more organized process for Filipinos requesting access to government documents, records, and data. It also reinforces the constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.
Go welcomed the Senate approval, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability in public service.
“Karapatan ng taumbayan na malaman ang mga impormasyong may kinalaman sa serbisyo publiko. Kung malinaw ang proseso at bukas ang impormasyon, mas napapalakas natin ang tiwala ng tao sa gobyerno,” Go said.
If enacted into law, the bill would cover information held by agencies under the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including constitutional commissions, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, and State Universities and Colleges.
According to the senator, the measure would help ordinary Filipinos gain easier access to public records without unnecessary delays or complicated procedures.
“Para sa akin, kung may hinihinging impormasyon ang mamamayan at ito ay sakop ng batas, dapat may maayos na proseso para makuha nila ito. Hindi dapat pahirapan ang tao sa impormasyong dapat naman nilang malaman,” he said.
The proposed law establishes a presumption in favor of public access, meaning government agencies would need to justify any denial of information requests based on lawful exemptions.
At the same time, the bill includes safeguards covering matters related to national security, privacy, and other protected information under existing laws.
Among the records that may be accessed under the measure are documents involving public funds, government procurement, contracts, bids, annual budgets, collections and disbursements, plantilla positions, vacancies, loans, and other transactions considered of public interest.
Go also emphasized that transparency should go hand in hand with responsible handling of public records by government offices.
“Dapat maging responsable ang bawat ahensya sa paghawak at paglalabas ng impormasyon. Kung may sistema, mas mabilis ang serbisyo, mas malinaw ang proseso, at mas maiiwasan ang pagdududa ng taumbayan,” Go said.
The bill also requires the regular online publication of certain government records to make information easier to access without citizens repeatedly filing requests.
It likewise imposes penalties for concealment, unjustified denial, destruction, tampering, alteration, or sale of public information covered under the proposed law.
For Go, the passage of the bill in the Senate is another step toward improving public trust in government institutions through transparency and accessible information.
“Ang importante, maramdaman ng tao na may malasakit ang gobyerno at handang magpaliwanag sa kanila. Kapag bukas ang impormasyon at maayos ang serbisyo, mas napapalapit ang gobyerno sa taumbayan,” he concluded.
May 8, 2026
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