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Freedom of information removes barriers of falsehood: Andanar

By Connie Calipay

March 26, 2019, 8:54 pm

<p><strong>FREEDOM OF INFORMATION.</strong> Officials of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Bicol University (BU) show the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Program in Schools at the BU campus in Albay, as part of the PCOO's literacy roadshow on Tuesday (March 26, 2019). From left to right: BU President Dr. Arnulfo Mascarinas; PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar; Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco; and FOI Philippines Director, Assistant Secretary Kristian R. Ablan. <em>(PNA photo by Connie Calipay)</em></p>

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION. Officials of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and Bicol University (BU) show the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Program in Schools at the BU campus in Albay, as part of the PCOO's literacy roadshow on Tuesday (March 26, 2019). From left to right: BU President Dr. Arnulfo Mascarinas; PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar; Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco; and FOI Philippines Director, Assistant Secretary Kristian R. Ablan. (PNA photo by Connie Calipay)

LEGAZPI CITY -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar on Tuesday cited the importance of freedom of information (FOI) in strengthening democracy in the country as it removes barriers of falsehood.

Andanar, along with other officials of the PCOO, was in this capital of Albay for a roadshow at the Bicol University (BU), aimed at promoting responsible reportage and ending disinformation.

“Freedom of information answers essential questions and removes the barriers of falsehood. The black and white of public records are the basis of trust,” Andanar said.

”There is no excuse for the freedom to be informed. This necessity has urged our government and our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to sign the first Executive Order on the Freedom of Information detailing the essence and scope of every citizen's right to access the work of government,” he added.

The PCOO chief, a former media practitioner himself, said the facts and figures that document the activities of the bureaucracy are frontiers of discovery.

“Reading the relevant pages of how our government functions strengthens the vital participatory element of democracy,” he noted, adding that limited knowledge or concern results in doubt, confusion and loss of trust.

He added that unlike before when gaining access to public records was tedious and often prohibited, filing cabinets are now open for viewing.

“Public records are made truly public… It is not just matter of simple curiosity when you make a request to see a document, it is a matter of experiencing what it means to be face to face with a presidential pronouncement or a policy or a work that is completed,” Andanar said.

Also part of the roadshow were discussions led by several key speakers from PCOO, including Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS); Assistant Secretary Kristian R. Ablan, FOI Philippines Program Director; and Karl Louie Fajardo, chief of staff at the Office of Brand Integration, who represented Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III.

A ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the FOI Program in Schools was also held during the event, led by Andanar and BU president Dr. Arnulfo Mascarinas. (PNA)

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