EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1673
DATE
TJME
EM.U»
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO INFORMATION ON 
MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND STATE POLICIES OF FULL PUBLIC 
DISCLOSURE OF ALL ITS TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE PUBLIC 
INTEREST AND HONESTY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
"This is a time [COVID-19 pandemic] when, more than ever, governments need to 
be open and transparent, responsive and accountable to the people they are seeking 
to protect."- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
A citizen's right to official information is essential for democracy. Individuals 
with ready access to public documents discern better, and are able to meaningfully 
exercise sovereignty over their government.
No less than Article II, Sec. 28 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms: "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 government research data used as basis for policy 
development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be 
provided by law."
The Constitution also underscores that government must operate with utmost 
transparency and accountability. Article III, Sec. 7 of the Constitution declares: 
"Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by the law, the State adopts and 
implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public 
interest."


The foregoing measure affirms these constitutional imperatives by establishing 
broad guidelines and procedures that operationalize them. Without such framework, 
the rights and obligations enshrined under the Constitution would be meaningless, 
allowing government to operate under a shroud of secrecy and away from public 
scrutiny.
Hence, this bill narrows the opportunity for abuse and helps restore trust and 
confidence in government. Anti-corruption statutes cannot be fully enforced if there 
are no disclosure and information statutes.
In February 2020, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched his Call 
to Action program to put human dignity and the promise of the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights at the core of the government's work in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Freedom of expression organization ARTICLE 19 in May 2020 in its report. 
Ensuring the Public's Right to Know in the COVID-19 Pandemic, has highlighted several 
threats to governments' obligations on access to information and public health under 
human rights law. These include:
• 
Governments trying to limit criticism of poor decision-making or as a larger 
effort to restrict human rights or hide corruption
• 
Emergency legislation that limits access to information about the pandemic 
and/or extends the deadlines by which governments have to respond
• 
Pubiic access to information not being prioritised while public services are 
reduced.
On 16 March 2020, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCCO), 
the agency tasked to implement the Freedom on Information (FOI) program of the 
government, issued Advisory No. 01 s. 2020 which suspends the period to respond to 
all FOI request due to COVID-19. The advisory not only suspends the time to respond 
to the request of the public but also limits the access to information regarding 
governance information including legal and regulatory measures to address the 
COVID-19 pandemic and data, analyses, and reports on the current and estimated 
economic impacts and government measures to mitigate the impact of pandemic, 
among others. To prevent this from happening in the future public health crisis or 
emergencies, this proposed measure ensures continuity of government transactions 
and services even in unprecedented times of crises such COVID-19 pandemic, 
calamities, other public health emergencies, civil unrest and other emergency or crisis 
situation by mandating all public documents be made available in digital format so 
that government officials and employees working remotely shall continue to serve the 
Filipino people.


For the effective implementation of FOI program and all other FOI programs or 
initiatives in the government, this bill mandates the Philippine Communications 
Operations Office (PCCO) to be the lead agency in implementing the provisions of the 
proposed legislative measure.
This bill would significantly help our government better serve the needs of the 
people. The passage of the FOI bill will signal the beginning of the realization of our 
quest for good governance, transparency and accountability. Filipinos look forward to 
the day when an open and accountable government serves them, their interests and 
common aspirations.
Approval of this measure is therefore earnestly requested.
NNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1673
DATE
TIME
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO INFORMATION ON 
MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND STATE POLICIES OF FULL PUBLIC 
DISCLOSURE OF ALL ITS TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE PUBLIC 
INTEREST AND HONESTY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "People's Freedom of
2 
Information Act of2020."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the right of the people to
4 
information on matters of public concern and adopts and implements a policy of full
5 
public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest, subject to the
6 
procedures and limitations provided by this Act. This right is meant to enhance the
7 
significant and widening role of the citizenry in governmental decision-making as well
8 
as in checking abuse in government. Public officials and employees, in the
9 
performance of their duties under this Act, as well as citizens in the exercise of their
10 
rights under this Act, shall act with justice, give everyone his or her due, and observe
11 
honesty and good faith.
12 
Public officials and employees as well as citizens shall endeavor to handle
13 
information kept or obtained under this Act with due care, to the end that inaccuracies
14 
and distortions are avoided.


1 
It is hereby declared the policy of the state to ensure continuity of all
2 
government transactions and services In unprecedented times of crises such as covid-
3 
19 pandemic, calamities, other public health emergencies, civil unrest, and other
4 
emergency or crisis situation.
5 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
6 
(a) Information refers to any record, document, paper, report, letters, contract,
7 
minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, data,
8 
research material, film, sound and video recordings, magnetic or other tapes,
9 
electronic data, computer stored data, or any other like or similar data or
10 
material recorded, stored or archived in whatever form or format, which are
11 
made, received or kept in or under the control and custody of any government
12 
agency pursuant to law, executive order, rules and regulations, ordinance or
13 
in connection with the performance or transaction of official business by any
14 
government agency.
15 
(b) Officiai record/records refer to information produced or received by a public
16 
officer or employee, or by a government agency in an official capacity or
17 
pursuant to a public function or duty, regardless of whether the information is
18 
in the draft, final or any other stage or status.
19 
(c) Pubiic record/records refer to information required by law, executive orders,
20 
rules, or regulations to be entered, kept and made publicly available by a
21 
government agency.
22 
Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all government agencies. Government
23 
agency or agencies shall include the executive, legislative and judicial branches as
24 
well as constitutional bodies of the Republic of the Philippines including but not limited
25 
to the national government and all its agencies, departments, bureaus, offices and
26 
instrumentalities, constitutional commissions and constitutionally mandated bodies,
27 
local governments and all their agencies, regulatory agencies, chartered institutions,
28 
government-owned or controlled corporations, including wholly-owned or controlled
29 
subsidiaries, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, the
30 
Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, all offices In the
31 
Congress of the Philippines including the offices of Senators and Representatives, the
32 
Supreme Court and all lower courts established by law.


1 
Public service contractors or any other entity shall make their records available
2 
to the public insofar as they are related to any contract or transactions that they have
3 
with the government or government agencies: Provided, That such contracts or
4 
transactions are of the highest public interest by reason of the amounts involved and
5 
the impact of the transaction to the public.
6 
Sec. 5. Access to Information. - Every Filipino citizen has a right to and shall,
7 
on request, be given access to any record under the control of a government agency
8 
regardless of the physical form or format in which they are contained subject only to
9 
the exceptions enumerated in Section 7 of this Act.
10 
Sec. 6. Presumption. - There shall be a legal presumption in favor of access to
11 
information. No request for information shall be denied unless it clearly falls under the
12 
exceptions provided under this Act.
13 
Sec. 7. Exceptions. - Access to information shall be granted unless:
14 
(a) The information is specifically authorized to be kept secret under guidelines
15 
established by an Executive Order, and in fact properly classified pursuant
16 
thereto: Provided, That
17 
(1) The information directly relates to national security or defense and its
18 
revelation may cause serious damage to the national security or internal
19 
and external defense of the State; or
20 
(2) The information requested pertains to the foreign affairs of the Republic of
21 
the Philippines, when its revelation shall unduly weaken the negotiating
22 
position of the government in an ongoing bilateral or multilateral
23 
negotiation or seriously jeopardize the diplomatic relations of tile Philippines
24 
with any state: Provided, further. That the Executive Order shall specify
25 
the reasonable period after which the information shall be automatically
26 
declassified or subject to mandatory declassification review, and that any
27 
reasonable doubt as to classification and declassification shall be settled in
28 
favor of the right to information;
29 
(b) The information consist of records of minutes, advice given or opinions
30 
expressed during decision-making or policy formulation, invoked by the Chief
31 
Executive to be privileged by reason of the, sensitivity of the subject matter or
32 
by reason of the impairment of the Chief Executive's deliberative process that


1 
would result from the disclosure thereof. Once policy has been formulated and
2 
decisions made, minutes and research data may be made available for
3 
disclosure unless they were made in executive session;
4 
(c) The information requested pertains to internal and/or external defense, law
5 
enforcement, and border control, when the disclosure thereof may:
6 
(1) Compromise or interfere with any legitimate military or law enforcement
7 
operation, or
8 
(2) Compromise or interfere with the legitimate prevention, detection or
9 
suppression of criminal activity, or the legitimate implementation of
10 
immigration controls and border security, or
11 
(3) Lead to the disclosure of the identity of a confidential source, including a
12 
government, or foreign agency or authority or any private institution which
13 
furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record
14 
or information compiled by a law enforcement authority in the course of an
15 
investigation or by an agency conducting a lawful national security
16 
intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source, or
17 
(4) Disclose legitimate techniques and procedures for law enforcement
18 
investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose legitimate guidelines for
19 
law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could
20 
reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law, or
21 
(5) Endanger the life or physical safety of any individual, or
22 
(6) Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial and impartial adjudication.
23 
(d) The information requested consists of drafts of orders, resolutions, decisions,
24 
memoranda or audit reports by any executive, administrative, regulatory,
25 
constitutional, judicial or quasi-judicial body in the exercise of their regulatory,
26 
audit and adjudicatory function;
27 
(e) The information requested is obtained by either House of Congress, or any
28 
Committee thereof, in executive session;
29 
(f) The information requested pertains to the personal information of a natural
30 
person other than the requesting party, and its disclosure would constitute an
31 
unwarranted Invasion of his or her personal privacy, unless it forms part of a
32 
public record, or the person is or was an official of a government agency and


1 
the information reiates to his other pubiic function or the person has consented,
2 
in writing, to the disclosure of the information;
3 
(g) The information requested pertains to trade secrets and commercial or financial
4 
information obtained from a natural or juridical person other than the
5 
requesting party, obtained in confidence or covered by privileged
6 
communication, and/or filed with a government agency, whenever the
7 
revelation thereof would prejudice the Interests of such natural or juridical
8 
person in trade, industrial, financial or commercial competition;
9 
(h) The information is classified as privileged communications in legal proceedings
10 
bylaw or by the Rules of Court;
11 
(i) The information requested is exempted from disclosure by law or by the
12 
Constitution, in addition to those provided in this Section;
13 
(j) The information is of a nature that Its premature disclosure would: (1) in the
14 
case of an agency that regulates or deals with currencies, interest rates,
15 
securities, commodities, or financial institutions, be likely to lead speculations
16 
in currencies, interest rates, securities, or commodities market; or (2) in the
17 
case of other agencies, be likely to frustrate the effective Implementation of a
18 
proposed official action: Provided, That the Information shall be disclosed once
19 
the abovementioned dangers have ceased; or
20 
(k) The information has already been made accessible as provided in Section 16 of
21 
this Act.
22 
For paragraphs (c) to (k) of this Section, the determination whether any of
23 
these grounds shall apply shall be the responsibility of the head of office of the
24 
government agency in custody or control of the information, or any responsible central
25 
or field officers duly designated by him: Provided, That:
26 
(l)The exceptions are strictly construed;
27 
(2) The exceptions are not used to cover-up a crime, wrong-doing, graft, or
28 
corruption;
29 
(3) The President, the Supreme Court, the Senate, the House of
30 
Representatives, and the Constitutional Commissions may waive an
31 
exception with respect to information in the custody of offices under their


1 
respective supervision or control, when they deem that there is an
2 
overriding public interest in disclosure;
3 
(4) The exceptions do not constitute authority to withhold information from
4 
Congress, nor authority for the executive branch of a local government unit
5 
to withhold information from the legislative body of such local government
6 
unit;
7 
(5) Whenever the information requested is part of a record, whose other parts
8 
are covered by an exception, but may be reasonably severed from a record,
9 
the responding official shall communicate the information not covered by
10 
the exception to the requester; and;
11 
(6) The exceptions set forth in this Section may be overcome if the requester
12 
is able to prove before the Ombudsman or a court of competent jurisdiction
13 
that the public interest in the disclosure of information outweighs the public
14 
interest in keeping the information secret or confidential.
15 
Sec. 8. Mandatory Disclosure of Information. -
16 
(a) In fulfillment of Article XI, Section 17 of the Constitution, the following national
17 
officials shall disclose to the public their Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and
18 
Net Worth (SALN) on an annual basis in their official website:
19 
1. President;
20 
2. Vice-President;
21 
3. Members of the Cabinet;
22 
4. Members of Congress;
23 
5. Justices of Supreme Court;
24 
6. Members of Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices,
25 
7. Officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank.
26 
(b) All agencies of all branches of government shall upload on their websites, which
27 
shall be updated monthly, a register of the following public interest
28 
transactions, documents or records, including:
29 
1. Annual Budget of Government Agencies;
30 
2. Itemized Monthly Collections and Disbursement;
31 
3. Summary of Income and Expenditures;
32 
4. Component of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Utilization;


1 
5. Annual Procurement Plan and Procurement List;
2 
6. An updated plantilla of positions and vacant positions with qualifications/
3 
requirements in their organizations that need to be filled-up;
4 
7. Items to Bid;
5 
8. Bid Results on Civil Works, and Goods and Services;
6 
9. Abstract of Bids as Calculated;
7 
10. Procurement contracts entered into by' a government agency;
8 
11. Construction or concession agreements or contracts entered into by a
9 
government agency with any domestic or foreign person or entity;
10 
12. Private sector participation agreements or contracts in infrastructure and
11 
development projects under Republic Act No. 6957, as amended by Republic
12 
Act No. 7718, authorizing the financing, construction, operation and
13 
maintenance of infrastructure projects;
14 
13. Public funding extended to any private entity;
15 
14. Bilateral or multilateral agreements and treaties in trade, economic
16 
partnership, investments, cooperation and similar binding commitments;
17 
15. Licenses, permits or agreements granted by any government agency to any
18 
person or entity for the extraction and/or utilization of natural resources and
19 
a list of the grantees;
20 
16. Guarantees given by any government agency to government-owned or -
21 
controlled corporations and to private corporations, persons or entities;
22 
17. Loans from domestic and foreign financial Institutions;
23 
18. Loans, grants, development assistance, technical assistance, and programs
24 
entered into by a government agency with official bilateral or multilateral
25 
agencies, as well as with private aid agencies or institutions; and
26 
19. Compromise agreements entered into by a government agency with any
27 
person or entity.
28 
The register shall contain a brief description of the transaction involved,
29 
including, but not limited to: the nature and object of the transaction, the parties and
30 
amounts involved, the key steps undertaken towards its conclusion, and the relevant
31 
dates: Provided, That contracts and agreements Involving an amount of at least Fifty
32 
Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) shall be uploaded In full on the website of the


1 
concerned government agency or the Official Gazette online. A covered record shall
2 
be enrolled in the register not later than thirty (30) working days from its perfection
3 
or issuance.
4 
Sec. 9. Openness and Transparency in Government Agencies. - Each
5 
government agency shall regularly publish, print and disseminate at no cost to the
6 
public and in an accessible form, consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No.
7 
9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, and through their website, timely, time,
8 
accurate and updated key information including, but not limited to:
9 
(1) A description of its mandate, structure, powers, functions, duties and decision-
10 
making processes;
11 
(2) A description of the frontline services it delivers and the procedure and length
12 
of time by which they may be availed of;
13 
(3) The names of its key officials, their powers, functions and responsibilities, and
14 
their profiles and curriculum vitae;
15 
(4) Work programs, development plans, investment plans, projects, performance
16 
targets and accomplishments, and budgets, revenue allotments .and
17 
expenditures;
18 
(5) Important rules and regulations, orders or decisions: Provided, That they be
19 
published within fifteen (15) calendar days from promulgation;
20 
(6) Rules of procedure, descriptions of forms available or the places at which forms
21 
may be obtained, and instructions as to the scope and contents of all papers,
22 
reports, or examinations;
23 
(7) Substantive rules of general applicability adopted as authorized by law, and
24 
statements of general policy or interpretations of general applicability
25 
formulated and adopted by the agency, including subsequent amendments;
26 
(8) Current and important database and statistics that it generates;
27 
(9) Bidding processes and requirements; and
28 
(10) Mechanisms or procedures by which the public may participate in or otherwise
29 
influence the formulation of policy or the exercise of its powers
30 
All government agencies shall over time endeavor and build the capacity and
31 
practice to upload in full all other contracts, agreements, or treaties covered under
8


1 
this Section, in particuiar those that are of the highest public interest by reason of the
2 
amounts involved and the impact of the transaction to the public.
3 
Sec. 10. Protection of Privacy. - While providing for access to information in
4 
public records, this Act also affords full protection of the right to privacy of individuals,
5 
as follows:
6 
(a) A government agency must ensure that personal Information in its custody or
7 
under its control is disclosed only as permitted under this Act;
8 
(b) A government agency must protect personal1 information in its custody or
9 
under its control by making reasonable security arrangements against such
10 
risks as unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, or disposal; and
11 
(c) An employee, officer or director of a government agency, who has access,
12 
whether authorized or unauthorized, to personal information in the custody of
13 
the agency, must not disclose that information except as authorized UNDER
14 
this Act.
15 
Sec. 11. Freedom of Information Manuai. -
16 
(a) For the effective implementation of this Act, all government agencies shall
17 
prepare a Freedom of Information (FOI) Manual, indicating the following:
18 
1. The location and contact information of the head, regional, provincial and
19 
field offices, and other established places where the public can obtain
20 
government information or submit requests;
21 
2. The types of information it generates, produces, holds and/or publishes;
22 
3. A description of its record-keeping system;
23 
4. The person or office responsible for receiving requests for Information;
24 
5. The procedure for the filing of requests personally, by mail, or through the
25 
identified electronic means;
26 
6. The standard forms for the submission of request and for the proper
27 
acknowledgment of the request;
28 
7. The process for the disposition of the request, including the routing of the
29 
request to the person or office with the duty to act on the request, the
30 
decision making process, and the grant or denial of access and its
31 
implementation;


1 
8. The procedure for the administrative appeal of any denial for access to
2 
information;
3 
9. The schedule of fees;
4 
lO.The process and procedure for the mandatory disclosure of information
5 
under Section 8 of this Act: Provided, That, should the agency lack the
6 
capacity to fully comply therewith, a brief description of its plan to facilitate
7 
compliance within three (3) years from the approval of this Act; and
8 
11. Such other information, taking into consideration the unique characteristics
9 
of an agency, that will help facilitate the effective implementation of this
10 
Act.
11 
(b) The foregoing information shall also be posted in its website and bulletin
12 
boards, and shall be regularly updated;
13 
(c) In no case shall the absence of the aforementioned Manual be a reason for the
14 
denial of any request for Information made in accordance with this Act.
15 
(d) The heads of each of the departments and agencies may designate liaison units
16 
or Committees who shall coordinate with the other units of the agency in
17 
implementing this Act. The composition, functions and duties of these liaison
18 
units or Committees shall be Included In the FOI Manual.
19 
Sec. 12. Procedure of Access. -
20 
(a) Any person who wishes to obtain information shall submit, free of charge, a
21 
request to the government agency concerned personally, by mail, or through
22 
electronic means. A person who is unable, because of illiteracy or due to being
23 
a person with disability, to make a written request for information may make
24 
an oral request, and the public official who receives the oral request shall
25 
reduce it to writing, and include his name and position within the government
26 
agency, and give a copy thereof to the person who made the request. The
27 
request shall state the name and preferred contact information of the
28 
requesting party, and reasonably describe the information required, the reason
29 
for the request of the information and the preferred means by which the
30 
government agency shall communicate such information to the requesting
31 
party: Provided, That the stated reason shall not be used as a ground to deny
32 
the request or to refuse the acceptance of the request, unless such reason is
10


1 
contrary to law. If the request is submitted personaiiy, the requesting party
2 
shaii show their current identification card issued by any government agency,
3 
or government or private employer or school, or a community tax certificate],
4 
If the request is submitted by maii or through eiectronic means, the requesting
5 
party may submit a photo static or electronicaiiy scanned copy of the
6 
identification, or other convenient means as determined by the agency.
7 
(b) The pubiic officiai receiving the request shaii provide reasonabie assistance,
8 
free of charge, to enabie aii requesters and particuiarly those with speciai
9 
needs, to compiy with the request requirements under this Section.
10 
(c) The request shaii be stamped by the government agency, indicating the date
11 
and time of receipt and the name, rank, titie and position of the receiving pubiic
12 
officer or empioyee with the corresponding signature, and a copy thereof
13 
furnished to the requesting party. In case the request is submitted by eiectronic
14 
means, the government agency shaii provide for an equivaient means by which
15 
the requirements of this paragraph shaii be met. Each government agency shall
16 
establish a system to trace the status of aii requests for information received
17 
by it.
18 
(d) The request may indicate the requesting party's preferred mode and means of
19 
receiving the information requested: Provided, That the mode and means are
20 
reasonable, taking into consideration equipment normaiiy avaiiabie to the
21 
concerned government agency.
22 
(e) A government agency may communicate the information requested in a form
23 
other than the preferred means whenever the agency has no capabiiity in
24 
communicating the information in the preferred format, or such preferred
25 
means wouid unreasonabiy interfere with the effective operation of the agency
26 
or be detrimental to the preservation of the record.
27 
(f) The government agency shaii comply with such request as soon as practicable,
28 
and in any case within fifteen (15) working days from the receipt thereof even
29 
in unprecedented times of crises such as covid-19 pandemic, caiamities, other
30 
public health emergencies, civii unrest, and other emergency or crisis situation.
31 
The period may be extended whenever the information requested requires a
32 
search of the government agency's fieid or sateiiite offices, examination of
11


1 
voluminous records, the occurrence of fortuitous events or other analogous
2 
cases.
3 
(g) The government agency shall, in writing or through electronic means, notify
4 
the person making the request of the extension, setting forth the reasons for
5 
such extension and the date when the information shall be made available,
6 
which In no case shall result in an extension of more than twenty (20) working
7 
days.
8 
(h) Once a decision is made to grant the request, the person making the request
9 
shall be notified of such and shall pay the required access and processing fees.
10 
If the information is not held by the government agency to which the request
11 
was made, it shall notify the requester that it does not hold the information,
12 
and indicate to the requester which agency holds the record, if known.
13 
Whenever practicable, the agency receiving the request may also cause the
14 
transfer of the request to the appropriate agency that holds the information:
15 
Provided, That the period to comply with the request under this Section shall
16 
begin to run only upon the receipt of the agency to which the request is
17 
transferred.
18 
SEC. 13. Digitization of all public documents. 
All public documents shall be
19 
made available in digital format.
20 
Sec. 14. Access and Processing Fees. - Government agencies may charge a
21 
reasonable fee to reimburse the actual cost of reproduction, copying or transcription
22 
and the communication of the information requested. An agency may waive the fees
23 
whenever it is satisfied that the requester is an indigent, or that the cost of
24 
reproduction is negligible, or that it is pursuant to a program for proactive disclosure.
25 
Sec. 15. Exemption from Compliance. - The government agency is excused
26 
from complying with a subsequent Identical or substantially similar request from the
27 
same requesting party where It has previously complied with a request for information
28 
unless a reasonable interval has lapsed between compliance with the previous request
29 
and the making of the current request: Provided, That the government agency
30 
complies with Section 16 of this Act.
31 
Sec. 16. Notice of Denial. - If the government agency decides to deny the
32 
request, in whole or in part, it shall, as soon as practicable, and in any case within
12


1 
fifteen (15) calendar days from the receipt of the request, notify the person making
2 
the request of such denial in writing or through electronic means. The notice shall
3 
clearly set forth the ground or grounds for den iai and the circumstances on which
4 
the denial is based, and indicate available rights of reconsideration or appeal. Failure
5 
to notify the person making the request of the denial, or of the extension, shall be
6 
deemed a denial of the request for access to information.
7 
Sec. 17. Remedies in Cases ofDeniai of Request for Information. -
8 
(a) In all government agencies other than the judicial branch:
9 
i. Every denial of any request for access to information may be appealed to
10 
the person or office next higher in authority of the same agency, following
11 
the procedure mentioned in Section 11 (a) (8) of this Act: Provided, That
12 
the written appeal must be filed by the same person making the request
13 
within fifteen (15) calendar days from the notice of denial. The appeal shall
14 
be decided by the person or office next higher in authority of the same
15 
agency within five (5) working days from filing of said written appeal. Failure
16 
of the government agency to decide within the aforestated period shall
17 
constitute denial of the appeal.
18 
ii. Upon denial of the appeal with the government agency, the requesting party
19 
may file a verified petition for mandamus in the proper court, alleging the
20 
facts with certainty and praying that judgment be rendered ordering the
21 
respondent, immediately or at some other time to be specified by the court,
22 
to disclose the requested information. Any action for administrative and/or
23 
criminal liability arising from the same act or omission, if any, shall be filed
24 
with the Office of the Ombudsman. No damages shall be assessed against
25 
the respondent unless it is proven that the respondent acted with malice,
26 
bad faith or negligence. The procedure for such petition shall be summary
27 
in nature. The court hearing the case is empowered to receive the
28 
Information subject of a claim of exception under Section 7 herein and
29 
examine then in camera to determine the sufficiency of the factual and legal
30 
basis of such claim, when such sufficiency cannot be reasonably determined
31 
through evidence and circumstances apart from the information.
13


1 
(b) In the Judicial Branch, the judiciary shall be governed by such remedies as
2 
promulgated by the Supreme Court.
3 
(c) The remedies provided in this Section are without prejudice to any other
4 
administrative, civil or criminal action covering the same act.
5 
(d) The remedies available under this Act shall be cumulative and subject to the
6 
rule of exhaustion of administrative remedies.
7 
(e) The provisions of Republic Act No. 9285, otherwise known as the Alternative
8 
Dispute Resolution Act of 2004, shall not apply to cases filed pursuant to this
9 
Section.
10 
(f) In case the requesting party has limited or no financial capacity, the Public
11 
Attorney's Office shall be mandated to provide legal assistance to the requester
12 
in availing of the remedies provided under this Act.
13 
Sec. 18. Keeping of Records. -
14 
(a) Government agencies shall create and/or maintain in appropriate formats,
15 
accurate and reasonably complete documentation or records of their
16 
organization, policies, transactions, decisions, resolutions, enactments, actions,
17 
procedures, operations, activities, communications and documents received or
18 
filed with them and the data generated or collected. These shall include
19 
working files such as drafts or notes, whenever these have been circulated
20 
within the agency for official purpose such as for discussion, comment or
21 
approval or when these contain unique Information that can substantially
22 
contribute to a proper understanding of the agency organization, policies,
23 
transactions, decisions, resolutions, enactments, actions, procedures,
24 
operations, and activities;
25 
(b) Government agencies shall identify specific and classes of official records in
26 
their custody or control that have continuing historical, administrative,
27 
informational, legal, evidentiary, or research value for preservation by such
28 
agencies or their legitimate successors, or for transfer to the National Archives
29 
of the Philippines. In addition, the National Archives of the Philippines shall
30 
likewise Identify specific and classes of official records that it shall require
31 
agencies to preserve and transfer to it.
14


1 
(c) In addition to the specific and classes of official records Identified for
2 
preservation under letter (b) of this Section, the following shall not be
3 
destroyed:
4 
1. Records pertaining to loans obtained or guaranteed by the government;
5 
2. Records of government contracts;
6 
3. The declaration under oath of the assets, liabilities and net worth of public
7 
officers and employees, as required by law; and
8 
4. Records of official investigations pertaining to allegations of graft and
9 
corruption of public officers.
10 
(d) Government agencies shall prepare, following standards and period
11 
promulgated pursuant to Republic Act No. 9470 or the National Archives of the
12 
Philippines Act of 2007, records management program that includes the
13 
following:
14 
1. A records maintenance system for the creation, selection, classification,
15 
indexing and filing of official records that facilitate the easy identification,
16 
retrieval and communication of information to the public;
17 
2. A records maintenance, archival and disposition schedule providing a listing
18 
of records under current use, for retention by the agency, for transfer to
19 
the National Archives, as for destruction: Provided, That destruction of the
20 
official records may be implemented only upon approval of the National
21 
Archives of the Philippines; and
22 
3. A specification of the roles and responsibilities of agency personnel In the
23 
implementation of such system and schedule.
24 
(e) In addition to its function as repository of all rules and regulations Issued by
25 
agencies as provided under Book VII, Chapter II of the Administrative Code of
26 
1987, the University of the Philippines Law Center shall, in coordination with
27 
the Office of the President which has exclusive editorial and printing jurisdiction
28 
over the Official Gazette, and with other relevant agencies, maintain a
29 
database, and publish the same in print In the Official Gazette or in digital or
30 
online from, the following:
31 
1. All laws of the Philippines and their amendments, from the period of the
32 
Philippine Commission to the present;
15


1 
2. All presidential issuances from November 15, 1935 to the present, inciuding
2 
but not limited, to executive orders, presidentiai 
prociamations,
3 
administrative orders, memorandum circuiars, 
generai orders, and other
4 
simiiar issuances;
5 
3. A database of aii appointments and designations made by the President of
6 
the Phiiippines; and
7 
4. Opinions of the Secretary of Justice.
8 
Sec. 19. Publication in the Official Gazette. - For purposes of mandatory
9 
disclosure as provided in Section 8 of this Act, oniine publication in the Officiai Gazette
10 
website shail be considered officiai publication provided there shali be a timestamp in
11 
the said document.
12 
For purposes of compiiance with Article 2 of the Civil Code of the Philippines,
13 
publication of the foiiowing in the online version of the Official Gazette, with the
14 
corresponding timestamps on the document, shaii be considered as official
15 
publication:
16 
(a) All important legisiative acts and resoiutions of a pubiic nature of the Congress
17 
of the Phiiippines;
18 
(b) Aii executive and administrative orders and proclamations of general
19 
application;
20 
(c) Decisions or abstracts of decisions of the Supreme Court and the Court of
21 
Appeals or other courts of similar rank, as may be deemed by said courts of
22 
sufficient importance to be so published;
23 
(d) Such documents or classes of documents as the President shaii determine from
24 
time to time to have general application or which he may authorize to be
25 
pubiished. However, other documents or ciasses of documents as may be
26 
required to be published by law, such as petitions and/or legal notices in
27 
connection with iand tides, naturalization or special proceedings shaii continue
28 
to be published in the print version of the Official Gazette or in any newspaper
29 
of generai circuiation for purposes of compiiance with the pubiication
30 
requirement.
31 
Sec. 20. Capacity-BuHdingf Promotion of Best Practices and Continuous
32 
Updating of Appropriate Information Technology and FOI. - Ail government agencies
16


1 
must ensure that they have a compliant website within two (2) years from the date of
2 
effectivity of this Act. The National Computer Center (NCC) shall monitor ali
3 
government agency websites and render the appropriate support inciuding capacity-
4 
building program and coordination with another appropriate agency, utilizing
5 
aiternative mechanism and seeking the assistance of private reievant and wiiiing
6 
volunteer groups to ensure full compliance with the requirements of this Act.
7 
In the performance of its monitoring function of government websites and
8 
portais, the NCC shall endeavor to continuously develop, Improve and update Its
9 
information technology system taking into consideration usability and practical
10 
accessibility of government documents by the public.
11 
Every government agency shall ensure the provision of adequate training for
12 
its officials to improve awareness of the people's right to Information and the
13 
provisions of this Act, and to keep updated as to best practices in relation to
14 
Information disclosure, records maintenance and archiving.
15 
Sec. 21. Use of Plain Language. - Every government agency shall endeavor to
16 
use plain language in their communications orders, compliance, requirements or
17 
instructions issued to implement the provisions of this Act. The government agencies
18 
shall translate key information into major Filipino languages and present them In
19 
popular form and means.
20 
(1) To carry out the provision of this Act, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) is
21 
designated to issue guidelines on the use of plain language to suit the needs
22 
of the requesting party;
23 
(2) The CSC shall provide the necessary training to employees of each government
24 
agency in using plain language In public documents;
25 
(3) All departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government,
26 
including government-owned or controlled corporations, local government units
27 
and state colleges and universities shall designate an official responsible for
28 
implementing the plain language; and
29 
(4) Website contents, including, but not limited to financial data, notices and other
30 
technical and legal documents, of government agencies must also be written
31 
in plain language to ensure that the information are easy to read, understand
32 
and use.
17


1 
Sec. 22. Administrative Offenses and Penaities. -
2 
(a) The acts enumerated in this sub-section shali be tantamount to grave
3 
administrative offenses and shaii constitute grounds for administrative and
4 
discipiinary sanction against any pubiic official or empioyee who wiiifully and
5 
knowingiy commits the foliowing:
6 
1. Refusal to promptly forward the request under Section 12 of this Act to the
7 
pubiic officer within the same office or agency responsibie for officialiy
8 
acting on the request when such is the direct cause of the faiiure to disciose
9 
the information within the periods required by this Act;
10 
2. Faiiure to act on the request within the periods required by this Act;
11 
3. Refusai to compiy with the decision of his OR HER immediate supervisor,
12 
the Ombudsman, or of any court ordering the reiease of information;
13 
4. Approvai of poiicies, ruies and reguiations ciearly contrary to the provisions
14 
of this Act, and which policies, ruies and reguiations are the direct cause of
15 
the deniai of a request for information.
16 
(b) The preceding subsection does not bar fiiing of appropriate administrative cases
17 
other than those grave offenses enumerated above.
18 
Sec. 23. Criminai Offenses and Penaities. - The penalty of imprisonment of not
19 
iess than one (1) month but not more than six (6) months and a fine ranging from
20 
Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) to One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00)
21 
shaii be imposed upon:
22 
(a) Any pubiic officiai or employee who falsely denies or conceais the existence of
23 
information that is a proper subject for disciosure under this Act.
24 
(b) Any public officiai or empioyee who destroys, or causes to be destroyed,
25 
information and/or documents being requested under this Act, for the purpose
26 
of frustrating the requesting party's access thereto.
27 
(c) Any individuai who knowingiy directed, induced or caused the commission of
28 
the foregoing acts shaii be liabie as principai by inducement in the prosecution
29 
of pubiic officiate or empioyees under this section.
30 
(d) Any pubiic officer or employee responsible for officially acting on the request,
31 
who shall claim an exception under Section 7 of this Act, or under the
32 
Constitution, when such claim is manifestly devoid of factual basis.
18


1 
(e) Any public officer or employee who divulged or released information covered
2 
under Section 7 of this Act.
3 
(f) Any public officer or employee who divulged or released information that is
4 
altered, tampered or modified to the extent that the released information
5 
materially differs from the original contents of the document: Provided, That
6 
altering or modifying a document for the purpose of severing an exempt
7 
information from non-exempt information in a single document shall not be
8 
punishable under this subsection.
9 
If the violation committed in this Act is induced and assisted by a private
10 
individual or a corporation, partnership or any kind of judicial entity, the penalty
11 
provided herein shall be imposed on its executive officer and/or other officials
12 
responsible therefor: Provided, That they shall suffer, in addition to the penalties
13 
provided herein, the automatic revocation of their license to operate.
14 
Sec. 24. Mere Denial in Good Faith Not a Ground for Liability. - A mere denial
15 
in good faith of a request made pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall not
16 
constitute grounds for administrative, civil or criminal liability.
17 
Sec. 25. Act Not a Bar to Claim of Right to Information Under the Constitution.
18 
- No provision of this Act shall be interpreted as a bar to any claim of the right to
19 
information under Article III, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution.
20 
Sec. 26. Integration of Freedom of Information (FOI) and Good Governance in
21 
Elementary and Secondary Curriculum. - To ensure well-informed generations of
22 
citizens, the right to information, the principles of accountability and transparency,
23 
democracy and leadership, and good governance shall be integrated in such subjects
24 
as Heyograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika (HEKASI) and Araling Panlipunan in the
25 
elementary level and in such subjects as Social Studies and Makabayan or its
26 
equivalent subjects in high school level. The Department of Education in coordination
27 
with the CSC and other relevant offices shall prepare the necessary modules and
28 
teaching programs consistent with the objectives of this Act.
29 
Sec. 27. Reports on FOI. - All government agencies shall be required to submit
30 
annual reports on the number of requests for information received and processed, of
31 
appeals made from the denial thereof, and such other Information as provided in this
32 
Act. The said report may be integrated in the agencies' main Annual Report and its
19


1 
posting and publication in their respective websites shall be considered as sufficient
2 
compliance.
3 
Sec. 28. System of Incentives and Rewards. - A system of special incentives
4 
and rewards is hereby established to be given to appropriate government agency or
5 
agencies that initiated and displayed compliance and full participation in the
6 
meaningful implementation of this Act. The Incentives and rewards may include but
7 
not limited to social projects, grants-in- aid, national 
recognition, and similar
8 
entitlements.
9 
Sec. 29. Role ofPCOO. - The Presidential Communications Operations Office
10 
(PCOO) shall be the lead agency in the implementation of this act across all
11 
government agencies. As the lead agency, the PCOO shall:
12 
(a) oversee implementation of all FOI and e-FOI programs for all government
13 
agencies and monitor compliance therewith;
14 
(b) develop programs and mechanisms to enhance the capacity of government
15 
agencies to comply with FOI programs; and
16 
(c) conduct and facilitate the necessary capacity and institutional building
17 
programs for all concerned government agencies and instrumentalities.
18 
Sec. 30. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
19 
this Act shall be charged against the agencies' current budget and shall thereafter be
20 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
21 
Sec. 31. Implementing Guidelines. - The PCOO, CSC, DEPED and NCC shall
22 
issue the guidelines necessary to implement specific provisions of this act.
23 
Sec. 32. Separability Clause. - If any Section or part of this Act is held
24 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other Sections or provisions not otherwise affected’
25 
shall remain in full force and effect.
26 
Sec. 33. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
27 
regulations. Issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
28 
including Sections 18, 24 and 25 of Executive Order No. 292 in relation to Article 2 of
29 
Republic Act No. 386, Memorandum Circular No. 78 dated 14 August 1964
30 
(Promulgating Rules Governing Security of Classified Matter in Government Offices),
31 
as amended, and Section 3, Rule IV of the Rules Implementing Republic Act No. 6713
32 
(Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), are
20


1 
deemed repealed: Provided, That Memorandum Circular No. 78 shall be deemed
2 
repealed after one (I) year from the effectivity of this Act or upon issuance of the
3 
Executive Order in Section 7(a) whichever comes first.
4 
Sec. 34. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
5 
publication in the Officiai Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation
6 
in the Philippines.
Approved,
21