Pasay city: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Dave Gomez has called for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, which he says should “meet global standards and empower democracy.” Gomez made these remarks during the opening ceremony for the 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) held at Hilton Manila Newport World Resorts.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gomez emphasized the Marcos administration’s vision of creating a government that operates ‘not only for the people but also with the people’ under a ‘New Philippines.’ However, he acknowledged that additional efforts are needed to institutionalize the FOI Program. Gomez stated, “A government that listens, informs, and empowers its citizens. Because only with an informed citizenry can we build a truly democratic nation.”
Highlighting the urgency for legislative action, Gomez urged lawmakers, civil society leaders, and public servants to unite in enacting the Right to Information Bill for the Philippines. He noted that over the past nine years, several measures have been taken to combat misinformation and disinformation by providing credible and accessible public data. Initiatives include the eFOI portal, expanded localization efforts, and nationwide capacity-building programs.
Gomez also mentioned that the PCO, in collaboration with the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP), has initiated dialogues with stakeholders to refine the proposed Right to Information Bill. “We continue to empower our local governments to become FOI-ready-bringing FOI closer to every Filipino,” he stated, expressing gratitude to the PCO team for their dedication to transparency and accountability in the government.
The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian country to host this year’s IDUAI, which continues until September 30. With the theme, ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age,’ the event serves as a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions on access to information policies in the digital era.
Gomez received a symbolic token from Genevieve Shirley Lartey, International Commissioner and Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission of Ghana, marking the event’s formal kick-off. He expressed optimism that the conference would strengthen the commitment to institutionalizing ‘genuine’ access to information for the people. “For me, this token is not only a marker of hosting-it is a reminder of the legacy our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to leave behind,” Gomez remarked, extending gratitude to Ghana for their leadership and setting a high standard for the Philippines to follow.