Presidential bets and FOI law

For many, many years the people have been waiting and hoping for a freedom of information (FOI) law.

But, despite President Duterte having promised during the 2016 presidential election campaign that he would curb graft and corruption in government, there has not been any determined and serious effort to address the problem. That Mr. Duterte miserably has failed is evidenced by so many huge anomalies that have surfaced during his administration involving the Department of Health, the Department of Budget and Management, PhilHealth and, needless to say, the Bureau of Customs.

This problem persists amid calls and pleas by well-intentioned individuals and sectors in society that he must certify to the necessity and urgency of an FOI law if he really wants to make corruption a thing of the past.

An FOI law will nip in the bud any evil scheme to defraud the government, since it will require the public disclosure of any deals and transactions involving public funds. It will also obligate government offices or agencies to respond to public complaints and furnish people detailed information about expenditures of earmarked money.

Let’s study closely the stand of the presidential candidates vis-à-vis corruption. How will they solve this long festering problem? Are they in favor of an FOI law?

EUSEBIO S. SAN DIEGO
Founder, Kaguro
Former President, Quezon City Public School Teachers Association [email protected]