Freedom of information
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| Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz |
The 1986 Philippine Constitution, Article III, Section 7, provides: “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 limitation as may be provided by law.”
The above provision clearly forwards three signal principles: One, that information on matters relevant to public concern is nothing less than a constitutional right. Two, that the officiality of government acts and records, transactions or decisions, gives rise to public concerns. Three, that any limitation to such a constitutional right of the citizens of the Philippines is but an exception to the rule.
The 2004 Social Doctrine of the Universal Church, n. 414, teaches: “Information is among the principal instruments of democratic participation.”.... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20111002com7.html
1 comment
indeed. access to information is basic to democratic systems.
The above provision clearly forwards three signal principles: One, that information on matters relevant to public concern is nothing less than a constitutional right. Two, that the officiality of government acts and records, transactions or decisions, gives rise to public concerns. Three, that any limitation to such a constitutional right of the citizens of the Philippines is but an exception to the rule.
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