The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines welcomes President Duterte’s signing of the executive order (EO) on freedom of information, the swift fulfillment of a promise he made during his campaign. This is a gesture that we are sure not only media but also everybody, who believes transparency and accountability are indispensable to good governance and democracy, highly appreciates.
Although the EO seems better than the version of the bill that the previous administration had endorsed in Congress, we hope that any exceptions in the EO’s coverage will not dilute its essence and intent.
At the same time, we urge Congress to enshrine freedom of information as part and parcel of governance in our country through legislation.
We further call on government to expand and strengthen freedom of the press and right to information through the following:
By working to end media killings and solve past murders, bring the perpetrators to justice and put an end to the culture of impunity that has marked the continued disregard for human life and human rights in our land;
By doing away with all laws that suppress free expression, such as the criminal libel law, and enacting measures that strengthen the same.
NUJP calls on every freedom-loving Filipinos to be vigilant so that whatever gains are made are protected and can continue to expand the borders of press freedom in the country.
—DABET C. PANELO,secretary general, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, nujphil@gmail.com