SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
F irst R eg u lar S ession 
)
SENATE
S. B. No.
IN D E X
B IL L S
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER "COMPANERO" S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO INFORMATION ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC 
CONCERN GUARANTEED UNDER SECTION SEVEN, ARTICLE THREE OF THE 1987 
CONSTITUTION AND THE STATE POLICY OF FULL PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALL ITS 
TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING PUBLIC INTEREST UNDER SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT, ARTICLE 
TWO OF THE 198 7  CONSTITUION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The right of the people to information held by governments is being recognized by a rapidly 
growing number of countries around the world. Today, over 70 countries have adopted laws giving 
citizens the right to access government information.
The Philippines is one among countries that have elevated the right to information into a 
Constitutional guarantee. Such high level of importance accorded to the right to information is only 
proper given the key role that the right to information plays in empowering the people, ensuring 
good governance, deepening democracy and working for sustainable development.
The framers of the Constitution, cognizant of the necessity to ensure transparency and 
accountability in government, have included such right of the people under the Declaration of 
Principles and State Policies, and under Section 28, Article 11 which provides that: "Subject to 
reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public 
disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.”
This has been strengthened under Section 7, Article 111 which provides that: "The right of 
the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official 
records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well 
as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, 
subject to such limitations as may be provided by law."
This right to information is not limited to making government open and accountable but the 
"right to know” is also indispensable to the exercise of the related freedoms of speech, of 
expression, and of the press, as well as the right of the people and their organizations to effective 
and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political and economic decision-making. The 
people’s right to information is an indispensable element of a functioning democracy.
The idea of "a government by the people” presupposes that the people have access to 
information on matters of public concern. The free flow of information about the affairs of 
government paves the way for public participation, and fosters accountability in government. 
Access to such information ensures an informed citizenry who can better participate in policy and 
decision-making. It also strengthens the role of public institutions in ensuring checks and balances 
in government thereby helping prevent the commission of graft and corruption, which ultimately 
should lead to an efficient and effective government.
The people’s right to information is not only a political imperative. It is also essential in 
economic life. It provides the institutional foundation for a more responsive government planning