By Lane Afable, News Editor
The House of Representatives on Tuesday officially passed the Right to Information (RTI) Bill on second reading, marking a major milestone in the ongoing effort to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance.
Present during the plenary session were representatives from the Presidential Communications Office’s Freedom of Information–Program Management Office (FOI-PMO), as well as advocates from the Right To Know, Right Now Coalition, who expressed strong support for the proposed measure.
During sponsorship and deliberations, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan underscored the critical role of transparency in building effective governance and combating corruption.
“The more transparent government is, the less room there is for corruption. And a more transparent government is a more effective government,” Suan, sponsor of the bill, said.
The passage of the bill on second reading reflects growing institutional and public support for legislation that upholds the people’s constitutional right to information and promotes greater openness in government processes and decision-making.
As the RTI Bill advances closer to enactment, stakeholders continue to call for sustained support from government institutions, civil society organizations, media groups, and the public to ensure the passage of a measure that empowers citizens through access to information and reinforces democratic accountability.
