By Samantha Yu
MANILA — Lawmakers in the Senate have passed the People’s Freedom of Information Act on its third and final reading, moving forward a measure designed to ensure broader public access to official records.
Senate Bill No. 1432 covers the entire government structure, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as constitutional bodies and local government units.
It also applies to government corporations, state-run universities, and other public institutions.
The bill requires top officials—such as the President, Vice President, Cabinet secretaries, senators, representatives, Supreme Court magistrates, constitutional commissioners, and high-ranking military officers—to publicly release their annual statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth through official platforms.
Moreover, government agencies would be obligated to disclose key documents and transactions of public interest, including budgets, procurement plans, bidding details, loan records, and contracts amounting to at least PHP50 million.
Exemptions remain in place for sensitive information already protected by law, particularly those involving national security, defense matters, law enforcement, diplomatic affairs, executive privilege, and confidential congressional discussions.
IA/