Pending enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill, access to public records may be compelled under Republic Act No. 6713 (The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards For Public Officials and Employees”, enacted in 1989, specifically Section 5(a) (Act promptly on letters and requests. – All public officials and employees shall, within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the action taken on the request.) and Section 5(e) (Make documents accessible to the public. – All public documents must be made accessible to, and readily available for inspection by the public within reasonable working hours.), non-compliance with which shall be punished, under Section 11, with a fine not exceeding the equivalent of six months salary or suspension not exceeding one year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense.
Instead of blaming PNoy for the delayed passage of the FOI, critics should avail themselves of this law, which was approved by his mother. FUI.
Instead of blaming PNoy for the delayed passage of the FOI, critics should avail themselves of this law, which was approved by his mother. FUI.