PRESIDENT Duterte will still push for a legislated Freedom of Information (FOI) law, even as Malacañang prepares the executive order (EO) to enforce the right of citizens to information on government transactions.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said on Monday a legislated FOI law is in keeping with Mr. Duterte’s avowed policy of transparency in government.
“He is giving much importance on transparency because that’s his style of governance,” Abella said in a news conference. “He wants that government work [be] very transparent to the people.”
To give substance to this policy of transparency right away, Abella said the EO, which would enforce the right to information, would be released this week, as promised by Mr. Duterte last month after winning the May elections.
The EO is meant to enforce the right of the citizens to information immediately while the bills regarding the FOI remain pending in Congress.
During the past six years of the Aquino administration, the various bills on the FOI were not passed by the Liberal Party-led Congress, despite former President Aquino’s promise to enact a FOI law during his term.
Abella said Mr. Duterte’s policy of transparency does not conflict with his pronouncement to limit interaction with the media. He said Mr. Duterte wants to focus on government work without being hampered by having to answer to “little noises.”