03/03/2016
Philippines: Freedom of Information Act Approved by Senate
(Dec. 17, 2009) On December 14, 2009, the Senate of the Philippines approved a Freedom of Information Act designed to allow access to key public documents, including those related to projects where corruption has been an issue. The Act, found in Senate Bill No. 3308, requires government agencies to allow public review and copying of all official information; officials who block public access are subject to a term of imprisonment of from one to six months. (Jelly F. Musico, Senate Okays Proposed Freedom of Information Act of 2009, PHILIPPINES NEWS AGENCY, Dec. 14, 2009, LEXIS NEXIS, News Library, PNA File.)