It's A Right

Transparency isn't a favor. It's not a feature. It's enshrined in our Constitution, operationalized by executive order, and recognized internationally.

Philippine Constitution (1987)

Article III, Section 7

"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."

→ It's not a privilege — it's a constitutional right.

Article II, Section 28

"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."

Article XI, Section 1

"Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people..."

Executive Order No. 2 (2016)

Signed by Duterte on his first day — operationalizes the Freedom of Information for the executive branch.

Created the FOI program and eFOI portal, making it easier for citizens to request government information.

International Frameworks

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 19

Philippines is a signatory to this covenant, which protects the right to seek, receive, and impart information.

UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.10

"Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements."

Know your rights. Use them.

These aren't abstract principles. They're tools. Use them to hold government accountable.

See our tools →