House Human Rights Panel chairperson Bienvenido Abante Jr. expressed optimism that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill will finally be enacted after being included in the Common Legislative Agenda of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
Abante said the measure institutionalizes access to government information and mandates public disclosure of Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) by top officials through official websites.
He said the bill upholds the people’s constitutional right to information and promotes transparency and accountability across all branches and levels of government.
To balance openness with privacy, the proposal aligns with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 while penalizing concealment or destruction of public records.
Abante said the inclusion of the bill in the legislative agenda strengthens hopes that transparency and accountability will soon become realities in government.
