Manila, Philippines – In this era of critical governance reforms and their role in both mitigating corruption while promoting investment and competitiveness, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill is positioned to serve as a linchpin for sustainable transparency and development for the country. To provide a better understanding of FOI and its implications to our society, Asia Society Philippines, INCITEGov and Young Public Servants present Transparency 3.0 Freedom of Information: Asian Perspectives, Philippine Impact on December 1, 2014 from 1PM to 5:30PM at the Asian Institute of Management.
In the House of Representatives, the consolidated FOI bill fashioned by the technical working group was approved on November 24, 2014 by the Committee on Public Information, and will move on to plenary. Senate passed its version last March 2014 on its 3rd and final reading.
The forum will start off with a discussion with Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Cong. Teddy Baguilat Jr. on the current FOI legislation and its prospective implementation.
The second panel will focus on the FOI experiences of two of our Asian neighbors – India and Indonesia. The former had its Right to Information Act passed in 2005 after a 25-year battle, the latter was enacted in 2010. Central Information Commissioner Shri Yashovardhan Azad and Chair of Transparency International Indonesia Natalia Soebagio will share what their countries have learned from enacting the FOI Law and how they faced its challenges.
Representatives from various sectors will evaluate how FOI will affect the Filipino community in different levels and aspects. Panelists include Makati Business Club Chairman Ramon del Rosario, Executive Director of Transparency and Accountability Network Vincent Lazatin, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility’s Executive Director Melinda Quintos de Jesus and South China Morning Post Correspondent Raissa Robles.
At this dialogue, participants can ask further questions to the panel and be enlightened on how the Freedom of Information Law shall affect the country’s future.
Transparency 3.0 Freedom of Information: Asian Perspectives, Philippine Impact is presented by Metro Pacific Investments, Asian institute of Management, HILLS Program on Governance and supported by Integrity Initiative, and ASEAN-India Centre at RIS. ANC, BusinessWorld, Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, Rappler, and DZAR Sonshine Radio are media partners for this event.
Source: Asia Society Philippines
