Bangkok:Civil society organizations from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have identified the proposed Right to Information (RTI) Act in the Philippines as a potential model for Southeast Asia. This recognition came during a regional forum on access to information and information integrity held in Bangkok.
According to Philippines News Agency, the forum, titled "Access to Information and Information Integrity in the Digital Age Lessons and Challenges from South-East Asia," was organized by the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand. Moderated by Wathshlah Naidu, Executive Director of the Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia, the discussion highlighted the Philippines' proposed RTI Act as being advanced compared to many other ASEAN countries. Naidu noted that if the bill is enacted and improved, it could rank among the top 20 RTI frameworks globally.
Representing the Philippines at the forum, Atty. Ma. Danica Orcullo of the Freedom of Information-Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) shared insights on the implementation experience and international standards incorporated into the proposed measure. These include an independent oversight mechanism, timelines for information requests, and exceptions to disclosure, developed with inputs from a technical working group comprising various stakeholders.
The Philippines' journey towards establishing a national freedom of information law began in 1987. Despite several attempts, including a near enactment in 2010, a comprehensive national RTI law remains pending. Executive Order No. 2, issued in 2016, operationalized the right to information within the Executive Branch, laying groundwork for future legislation. The proposed RTI Act is now a legislative priority under the 20th Congress, with both the Senate and the House of Representatives having passed their versions of the measure.
The FOI mechanism's impact extends beyond the Executive Branch, with 110 local government units and several barangays adopting access to information mechanisms. Youth involvement in FOI activities has also been significant, with initiatives like the proposed municipal FOI ordinance in Kawit, Cavite, developed in collaboration with the FOI-PMO.
The Philippines' decade-long experience under Executive Order No. 2 provides a "proof of concept" for integrating international principles into systems tailored to local institutions. This ongoing development highlights the importance of crafting an RTI system that reflects the unique social and bureaucratic context of the country.
