(Open Letter)

02 May 2011
His Excellency
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines
Malacañan Palace
Manila

Subject: Request for meeting on the Freedom of Information Bill

Dear Mr. President:

We are members of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, a network of

about 150 organizations and individuals from various social sectors and civil-society
groups, which have long been campaigning for the passage of the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Act.

We count among our ranks public-interest groups; print, broadcast and online
journalists; environmental-protection advocates; farmers and farmers’ support groups;
women’s organizations; labor unions from the private and public sectors; migrant
workers; businessmen; lawyers; academics; student and youth organizations, and
concerned individuals.

Three times already since you were elected President nearly 12 months ago, we
had written you letters of appeal so you may please support, endorse, and help assure the
passage of the FOI Act.

On May 26, 2010 or two weeks after elections when it was clear that the people
had vested you with firm and broad mandate to serve as President, we wrote to request
you to lend a decisive voice to convince the House of Representatives of the 14th
Congress to act on the bicameral conference report on the FOI bill.

For communications please contact: Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan

Institute for Freedom of Information, Unit 1403 West Trade Center, 132 West Avenue, Quezon City
Telefax: +63 2 426 5626 Email: nepo_m@yahoo.com
 The House of Representatives failed us supposedly because there was no quorum
on their last session day, even as we counted and our media colleagues had documented
the contrary. Suffice it to say that the House misled us. It was not only a matter of
spurning our 14-year advocacy; more gravely, it was a matter of failing their
constitutional duty to pass the FOI Act. This much is clear under the 1987 Constitution
written and ratified under the watch of President Corazon Aquino, which fully guarantees
the right of the people to access information and documents in the custody of government
officials and agencies, as well as prescribes the state policies of transparency and
accountability.

Then again on July 20, 2010 we wrote you to appeal for the inclusion of the FOI
bill among the legislative measures on your priority list in the debut state-of-the-nation
address that you were to deliver days later.

Finally on February 2, 2011, we wrote a third time to beseech you to enroll the
passage of the Freedom of Information Act in your Priority Measures for consideration
by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council or LEDAC.

Three times we have written and three times, too, we have failed to receive
substantial positive feedback from you or your deputies regarding our appeal.

Please rest assured, Mr, President, that we continue to keep faith in your
appreciation of the value of an FOI Act in promoting good governance, transparency,
accountability, and responsive delivery of public services. These are precisely the
bedrock principles – and promises – on which you have built your “Social Contract with
the Filipino People,” and for which you have won the adulation, respect and vote of our
people. We also understand full well that your administration needs and deserves
adequate time to study the details of the bill and assess it against a number of concerns
that you and some of your deputies have publicly raised.

At the same time, please understand, Mr. President, that absent positive
developments, or even public statements, on how your administration intends and wishes
to help enact the FOI Act – we are given no reason to remain hopeful. With all due
respect, Mr. President, during your first 10 months in office the FOI bill has achieved no
breakthroughs. And this is despite a long, congenial, and substantial meeting that we had
months ago in Malacañan where the three Cabinet secretaries of your Communications
Group assured us of their support for the FOI bill.

The first regular session of the 15th Congress is nearing its end, and very soon,
the jockeying for positions for the 2013 elections will be upon us. Yet the FOI bill
remains stalled in the respective committees on public information of the Senate and
House of Representatives. Curiously, even the majority coalition in the House that is now
led by your Liberal Party allies could not make the FOI bill move in the 15th Congress
with as much resolve as they had demonstrated in the 14th Congress.

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 We believe that a key reason for the lack of progress on the FOI bill in Congress
is the perceived lack of decisive support for it from the Executive branch, in particular,
from the President. As you have risen from the ranks of our lawmakers, we have no doubt
that you fully understand our concerns and apprehensions.

Pardon us, Mr. President, but we could not help but think that all too suddenly,
save for a few consistent voices in Congress, the FOI bill has become an orphaned cause
in government, a bill without fathers, mothers, friends, advocates, and champions under
your administration.

We would like to perish this thought promptly and for good. We know that a far
better and more joyful idea that should consume us is to believe that with you and under
your leadership, we could still hope that very soon our nation will finally have an FOI
law.

May we take this opportunity to request, with all due considerations for your very
busy schedule, a meeting with Your Excellency for a delegation from the Right to Know.
Right Now! Coalition, at the soonest and most convenient time possible.

Perhaps you may at least give us a chance to discuss with you how the FOI bill
can be refined to achieve a careful and reasonable balance between the people’s right to
access information and the concerns that you may have, so that it may merit your support
and consequently advanced effectively in the legislative process.

We will follow up our request for a meeting with you with your appropriate staff
personnel or deputies.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Very truly yours,

Right to Know. Right Now!

Coalition

SIGNATORIES:

1. Atty. Nepomuc eno Malaluan Institute for Freedom of Information

2. Mr. Vincent T. Lazatin Transparency and Accountability Network
3. Ms. Malou Mangahas Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
4. Ms. Adelina Alvarez Center for Community Journalism and Development
Mr. Red Batario
5. Atty. Roberto Cadiz LIBERTAS

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6. Prof. Luis Teodoro Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
7. Ms. Rowena Paraan National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Mr. Sonny Fernandez
Mr. Nestor Burgos

8. Mr. Ramon Tuazon Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)

Dr. Madeline B. Qiamco
9. Dean Antonio La Viña Ateneo School of Government (ASoG)
10. Bishop Broderick Pabillo Auxillary Bishop, Manila; National Director of
CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action
Justice&Peace (NASSA-JP)
11. Dr. Florangel Rosario - Braid Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission and Chair,
Communication, UNESCO National Commission of the
Philippines
12. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez Focus on the Global South – Philippines
13. Ms. Annie Geron Public Services Labor Independent Confederation
(PSLINK)
14. Mr. Sixto Donato Macasaet CODE-NGO
15. Mr. Isagani Serrano Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
16. Mr. Peter Angelo V. Perfecto Makati Business Club
17. Bishop Benny M. Abante, Jr. BIBLEMODE International; Chairman, Committee on
Public Information, 14th Congress
18. Mr. Joshua Mata Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
19. Ms. Yuen Abana Partido ng Manggagawa
20. Ms. Precy Bellomes MAKABAYAN
21. Mr. Teody Navea Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
Mr. Gem de Guzman
22. Atty. Virginia S. Jose Citizens' Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC)
23. Ms. Judy Pasimio Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center - Kasama sa
Kalikasan
24. Ms. Starjoan Villanueva Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM)
25. Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo WomanHealth Philippines
Ms. Mercedes Fabros
26. Prof. Leonor M. Briones Social Watch Philippines
27. Dr. Rene Ofreneo Center for Labor Justice
28. Mr. Jun S. Aguilar Filipino Migrant Workers
Mr. Elso Cabangon

29. Atty. Eirene Jhone E. Aguila Team RP; Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance
Mr. Harvey Keh and Ethical Leadership
30. Ms. Jelen Paclarin Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau

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31. Mr. Joseph Purugganan EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network-Philippines; Stop
the New Round Coalition
32. Mr. Milo Tanchuling Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Ms. Maitet Diokno-Pascual
33. Mr. Ted Ong Freedom from Debt Coalition - Iloilo
34. Dr. Sixto K. Roxas Maximo T. Kalaw Institute for Sustainable
Development
35. Judge Dolores L. Español (Ret.) Transparency International – Philippines
36. Mr. Al Alegre Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)
37. Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III National College of Public Administration and
Governance
38. Atty. Tanya Lat IDEALS
39. Mr. Raul Socrates Banzuela PAKISAMA
40. Mr. Chester Amparo Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
41. Mr. Lisandro Claudio Akbayan Youth
Mr. Jeffrey Crisostomo
42. Mr. Ramon Tuazon Philippines Communication Society
43. Mr. Pablo Rosales Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda
(PANGISDA); Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang
Magbubukid (PKMM)
44. Mr. Crispino Aguelo Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka
(PAKISAMA)
45. Ms. Karen Tañada Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute
46. Prof. Gigi Francisco Development Alternatives for Women in the New Era
(DAWN)
47. Mr. Byron Abadeza Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia
and the Pacific
48. Mr. Abby Y. Pato Task Force on Food Sovereignty - Mindanao
49. Ms. Carolyn Arguillas MindaNews
50. Mr. Abner Francisco DXCA – FM
51. Mr. Rey Hulog Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
52. Ms. Angelica Simone Mangahas Ateneo Debate Society
53. Mr. Bartholome Guingona pagbabago@pilipinas
54. Ms. Ellene Sana Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA)
55. Ms. Ester Perez Tagle Concerned Citizens Against Pollution (COCAP)
56. Ms. Luz Malihiran Community Organizers Multiversity
57. Mr. Doy Cinco Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
58. Ms. Arze Glipo Integrated Rural Development Foundation

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59. Mr. Ric Serrano La Liga Policy Institute
Mr. Roland Cabigas
60. Mr. Rey Rasing Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)
61. Ms. Paulyn Duman UP Law Student Government
62. Mr. Ed Mora Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas
63. Ms. Evi-Ta Jimenez Center for People Empowerment in Governance
64. Dr. Buenaventura B. Dargantes Program on Integrated Water Resources
65. Mr. Boy Nuera Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (PANDAYAN)
66. Mr. Roy Calfoforo People's Alternative Studies Center for Research and
Education in Social Develoment (PASCRES)
67. Mr. Alain Pascua Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino
Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY)
68. Mr. Reggie Guillen GCAP-Phils
69. Mr. Horacio T. Cadiz The Philippine Network Foundation, Inc (PHNET)
70. Mr. Joe Valencia KASAPI-HELLAS
71. Mr. Nestor Villanueva Akbayan Greece
72. Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido Negros Peace Watch
73. Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran Philippines Communication Society
74. Ms. Aurora Regalado Management Organization for Development and
Empowerment
75. Mr. Ernesto Lim Jr. People’s Campaign on Agrarian Reform (AR NOW!)
76. Mr. Anthony Marzan KAISAHAN
77. Mr. Nonoy Oplas Minimal Government Thinkers
78. Mr. Jesus Vicente Garganera Alyansa Tigil Mina
79. Ms. Luz Cabucos-Fegarido RSW
80. Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Tison Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet-Negros (PsPN)
81. Ms. Trinidad Domingo Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
82. Mr. Richard Gutierrez Ban Toxics
83. Mr. Czarina Sacaguing Confederation of Student Government in the
Philippines
84. Dr. Ma. Olivia Domingo Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy, UP
NCPAG
85. Dr. Angelo Ramos Philippine Community e-Center Network
86. Ms. Mae Sabio Sulong CARPER
87. Mr. Diosdado Calmada PEACE
88. Ms. Lanie Factor Task Force Mapalad
89. Ms. Maris Dela Cruz - Cardenas EmPOWER Consumers

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90. Atty. Elpidio Peria Third World Network; Vice Chairman, Social Concerns
Committee, IBP South Cotabato – General Santos City
91. Mr. Angelito R. Mendoza Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency
92. Mr. Omi Royandoyan Centro Saka
93. Ms. Florencia Casanova-Dorotan Women’s Action Network for Development
94. Ms. Violeta Corral Aksyon para sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan
95. Ms. Michelle Domocol Visayas Climate Action Network
96. Ms. Maita Gomez Bantay Kita
97. College Editors Guild of the Philippines
98. Ms. Emy M. Santos National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)
99. Ms. Tes M. Borgoños Manggagawang Kababaihang Mithi ay Paglaya
(MAKALAYA)
100. Ms. Marilyn Fuentes National Union of Building and Construction Workers
101. Atty. Michael Yu Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Cebu City Chapter
102. Dr. Sylvia Estrada Claudio Center for Women’s Studies, University of the
Philippines
103. Ms. Tin Borja UP ALYANSA
104. Ms. Mabel Ogoshi UP BUKLOD CSSP
105. Mr. Romeo Cabugnasan Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
106. Mr. Gus Miclat Initiative for International Dialogue
107. Mr. Antonio Claparols Ecological Society of the Philippines
Mr. Javier Claparols
108. Dr. Helen N. Mendoza Soljuspax
109. Ms. Maria Rita Melecio Task Force Detainees of the Philippines – Davao
110. Mr. Juanito Enriquez Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace
111. Ms. Edeliza Hernandez Medical Action Group
112. Ms. Laudica Casana Anda Rural Women Workers Alliance for Progress
113. Ms. Flordeliz Abanto Philippine Association of Communication Educators
Foundation, Inc. (PACE)
114. Ms. Victoria M. Segovia Partnership for Clean Air
115. Ms. Grace Chua Consumer Rights for Safe Food
116. Ms. Noemi Tirona Network Opposed to GMOs
117. Ms. Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz Ang Nars
118. Mr. Manny C. Calonzo Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
119. Ms. Paula Mae B. Tanquieng Ayos na Gamot sa Abot-Kayang Presyo (AGAP)
120. Ms. Annie M. Sandalo Code Foundation, Inc.
121. Ed Caharian Philippine Agency for Community and Family

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122. Fr. Victor "Junvic" Diolata, Jr., SSS Association of Major Religious Superiors
Fr. Jesus Malit, SSS of the Pilippines (AMRSP)
Sr. Mary John Mannanzan, OSB
123. Mr. Narciso Jover Jr. Tri-people Concern for Peace, Progress and
Development of Mindanao (TRICOM)
124. Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos Phil. Earth Justice Center, Inc.
` Atty. Dante T. Ramos
125. Maria V. Mendoza Fair Trade Alliance - Philippines (FairTrade)
126. Mr. Tirso N. Paglicawan, Jr. Kapisanan ng mga Kawani ng Koreo sa Pilipinas
Mr. Dante Dean M. Barola (KKKP); Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement, Inc.
127. Mr. Manuel G. Rama PhilPost Rank-and-File Employees Association
128. Ms. Marlene Ramirez AsiaDHRRA
129. Ms. Minerva Gonzales Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Asia
130. Mr. Angelito Calderon Lakas Mangagawa Labor Center (LMLC)
131. Ms. Ember Cruz Trade Advocates Group
132. Ms. Mary Joycer Filomeno Youth Advocates for Economic Progress (YAEP)
133. Ms. Eileen Matute Coconut Industry Reform Movement (COIR)
134. Mr. David Diwa National Labor Union
135. Mr. Angel Dimalanta Automotive Industry Workers Alliance
136. Mr. Ritz Lee B. Santos III Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in
Mindanaw (BALAOD Mindanaw); Amnesty International –
Cagayan de Oro
137. Ms. Lia Jasmin Esquillo Interface Development Interventions
138. Mr. Nazaño Cacayan Yamog Foundation
139. Mr. Frank Meno Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA)
140. Mr. Eleuterio Tuazon Philippine Association of Free Labor Unions
141. Mr. Ronaldo Tuazon Workers Welfare Watch – Philippines
142. Mr. John Gamit Christian Life Community of the Philippines
143. Mr. Manny Arias Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Mangagawa sa Pilipinas
144. Ms. Romina Astrid Lim Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest Project
145. James Auste Cancer Warriors Foundation
146. Mr. Vince Cinches Central Visayas Fisherfolk Development Center Inc.
147. Dr. Suzette H. Lazo, MD
148. Mr. Ronald Adlawan Youth for Nationalism and Democracy
149. Fr. Carmelo O. Diola Dilaab Foundation Inc.
150. Mr. Roberto Versola Philippine Greens
Mr. Riedo Panaligan
151. Ms. Evangeline Crisostomo Escobillo

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152. Mr. Felipe Buencamino
153. Ms. Jessica Reyes-Cantos Rice Watch and Action Network
154. Prof. Michael Alba UP School of Economics
155. Walter I. Balane Bukidnon Press Club