MARCH 21, 2012 DATE

NR # 2685B
REF. NO.

House approves a bill seeking public access to information on food and other basic commodities
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill adopting and implementing a policy of full public disclosure of all government transactions involving food and food supply, consistent with the Constitutional right of the people to information. Although with limitations, House Bill 5868 mandates that all information involving food and basic commodities in the custody and control of the government be made available and accessible to the public. The bill was endorsed for plenary approval by the House Committee on Trade and Industry chaired by Rep. Albert Raymond Garcia (2nd District, Bataan). It substituted House Bill 1143 authored by Rep. Reynaldo Umali (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro) and House Bill 3603 authored by Reps. Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga). Umali said this information is necessary in taking the needed actions, whether for families budgeting their daily expenses, law enforcers running after hoarders and price colluders, private enterprises planning for the medium-term, or for national agencies and local governments directing their efforts to solve impending supply problems. Indeed, government transparency in food information is a step towards reinforcing the right of the people to affordable food and food security. The people have the right to know the factors that influence food supply and prices, Umali said. Arroyo said the Filipino people have the right to information on all matters of public concern. Access to food is a fundamental human right and it is the government's responsibility to ensure an adequate food supply for the people at affordable costs. In order to reinforce and guarantee the right of the people to affordable and adequate food supply, the government must be transparent in all its transactions involving food and basic commodities, Arroyo said. The bill defines the term information, among others, to mean all documents, papers, letters, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, films, sound and video recordings, magnetic or other tapes and electronic data processing records. The term also refers to and includes stored computer data, electronic mail messages, or any other like or similar data or material, recorded, stored or archived in whatever form or format, which are made, received or kept in or under the control and custody of any government body pursuant to law, executive order, rules and regulations, ordinances or in connection with the performance or transaction of official business by any government body. The measure provides for the creation of a Congressional Oversight Committee consisting

MARCH 21, 2012 DATE

NR # 2685B
REF. NO.

of five members each from the Senate and House of Representatives, which shall be composed of the Chairpersons and members of the Committees on Agriculture, Trade and Commerce and Justice and Human Rights of both the Senate and House of Representatives, which shall meet bi-annually. The bill mandates each government body to submit a report covering the preceding year relative to the implementation of this Act, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate for referral to the appropriate committees in Congress. Under the measure, any government official or employee who shall knowingly release false and misleading information is penalized with a fine of not more than P40,000 and imprisonment of 3 years. In case any official or employee who fails to respond to a request due to negligence or failure to meet the time limits for response, a fine of P20,000 is imposed and/or imprisonment of one year, including accessory penalties in both instances. Co-authors of the measure are Reps. Tomas Apacible (1st District, Batangas), Joel Roy Duavit (1st District, Rizal), Ferjenel Biron (4th District, Iloilo), Arthur Defensor, Jr. (3rd District, Iloilo), Antonio C. Alvarez (1st District, Palawan), Jerry Treas (Lone District, Iloilo City), Teddy Casio (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan), Hermilando Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas), Danilo Ramon Fernandez (1st District, Laguna), Florencio Garay (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City), Anthony Del Rosario (1st District, Davao del Norte), Jesus Sacdalan (1st District, North Cotabato), Tomas Osmea (2nd District, Cebu City), Josefina Joson (1st District, Nueva Ecija), Isidro Rodriguez, Jr. (2nd District, Rizal), Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel (Lone District, Malabon City), Victor Yu (1st District, Zamboanga del Sur), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental), Nur-Ana Sahidulla (2nd District, Sulu), Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. (2nd District, Davao del Norte), Ma. Theresa BonoanDavid (4th District, Manila), Evelyn Mellana (2nd District, Agusan del Sur), Raden Sakaluran (1st District, Sultan Kudarat), Gabriel Luis Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu), Peter Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental), Rodel Batocabe (Party-list, Ako Bicol), Neri Javier Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Teodorico Haresco, Jr. (Party-list, Ang Kasangga), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Pias City), Pedro Pancho (2nd District, Bulacan), Wilfrido Mark Enverga (1st District, Quezon), Enrique Cojuangco (1st District, Tarlac), Mary Mitzi Cajayon (2nd District, Caloocan City), Sherwin Tugna (Party-list, CIBAC), Arnel Ty (Party-list, LPGMA), Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (1st District, Leyte), Aurelio Gonzales, Jr. (3rd District, Pampanga), Elmer Panotes (2nd District, Camarines Norte) and Catalina Bagasina (Party-list, ALE). (30) lvc