go through EDG Adrian A. Eva,,,,, reporter
The Philippines needs the Electronic Freedom of Information (EFOI) Act to ensure better access to government data, as one study shows that access to such information on the Internet remains a barrier for the public.
Former Supreme Court Attorney General Oliver Xavier A.
“Kung Fu magkaroon ng panibagong efoi, ang ibang mga dito ay dito ay dito dito diTo dapat hindi na Current, sa ngayon suitable for hindi na, located in puwedeng tanggalin na [If a new EFOI is passed, some of the exceptions should no longer be current, no longer applicable today, and may already be removed]Mr Reyes said at a press conference that the results of data discovery (D4D) report on South and Southeast Asia.
The D4DHUB report found that although the Philippine Constitution guarantees the right to information on issues of public concern, actual access to information through the Internet remains a barrier.
The report is based on a review and analysis of laws, policies and initiatives that affect data governance practices in South and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.
Mr. Reyes took the statement of assets, liabilities and net assets (SALN) as an example and noted that the request is still being processed manually and has become more stringent due to the memorandum issued by the Ombudsman in 2020.
He added that if the government is more aggressive in reducing the demands, it is possible that the officials’ Saenz will be available online.
Mr Reyes said EFOI will also provide clearer guidance on what types of information the government may deny, citing several unreasonable denial cases in the current FOI portal.
He also noted that the measure should establish clearer rules on possible violations related to information irrationality.
“So even judges who are forced to decide on freedom of information cases don’t have real guidelines,” Reyes said.
“The lack of EFOI regulations is one of our observations, namely the freedom or openness of information.”
Jose Jesus M. Disini Jr., associate professor at the University of the Philippines School of Law, told BusinessWorld that in addition to considering enacting EFOI laws, the government must also take into account the cost and sustainability of information that is accessible to the public.
“What the government can do is provide data through regulations,” Disini said in an interview with the major at the press conference.
He added: “In other words, the government provides this data in a specific format, such as open data, such as open data plans.”
Mr Davidney added that the government should also use third parties such as the private sector, which can help maintain potential portals once the EFOI is in place.
In July, Philippine lawmakers introduced a Freedom of Information (FOI) bill requiring full disclosure of Saren, who is all officials in all branches of the government.
Senate Bill 723 also requires agencies to publish annual budgets, item-by-item collections and expenditures, procurement plans, Plantilla positions and vacancies, and loans, bids and contract details. It further requires timely updates to such records on the proxy website.
