The military cascaded its manual on Freedom of Information and inducted its officers and staff in a seminar held in Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, March 8.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines crafted the FOI manual, providing standing operating procedures, remedies, and administrative liability relative to the implementation of Executive Order No. 2. Consistent with the Constitution, the said executive order operationalized the people’s right to information and the “state policies of full public disclosure and transparency in the public service.”
“The public has the right to know the right information at the right time. An informed populace is a source of national power, and right information can empower Filipinos of informed decision,” said Colonel Noel Detoyato, the AFP Public Affairs Chief.
WestMinCom spokesperson Colonel Gerry Besana and other FOI action officers and staff of unified commands and military units pledged their oath of commitment in a ceremony presided by Lieutenant General Salvador Mechor Mison, Jr., the AFP Vice Chief of Staff. Under the AFP’s FOI Manual, the AFP Public Affairs Chief shall receive, assess, evaluate, and transmit an FOI request filed by a citizen to cognizant offices or units, such as the unified commands.
The manual also provides that requested information shall be located and retrieved, or that denial of the request on valid grounds shall be communicated by cognizant offices or units with the PAO, AFP.
The military can deny an FOI request if the identity of the requesting party is fictitious or illegitimate; if t is prompted by sheer idle curiosity or ulterior motive; if t is contrary to law, morals, good customs, or public policy; if it is made for a commercial purpose; or if it will compromise national, operational, and personnel security.
Based on recommendations of cognizant offices and units, the AFP Chief of Staff shall solely approve or deny the release of the requested information. As the FOI receiving officer, the AFP Public Affairs Chief shall communicate approval or denial of such request with the requesting party.
The FOI manual also provides requesting parties with remedies in case of denial and sanctions administrative penalties under the Articles of War and the Civil Service rules.
Assistant Secretary Michel Kristian Ablan, of the Presidential Commission Operations Office, cited national security defense, international relations, and data privacy, among others, as exceptions to E.O. No. 2.
The cascading and leveling seminar was held at Dimalupig Hall in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City at around 8am today. “We commit to serve with transparency and uphold people’s constitutional right to be informed in the spirit of republicanism.
As true servants and defenders of Filipinos, we advance this governmental objective as a mechanism for efficiency and legitimacy,” said Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
“Delineating reasonable limitations, freedom of information will bear positive outcomes, especially in policy processes, as people will be more involved.”
http://www.westmincom.com/afp-cascades-foi-manual-inducts-staff-in-manila/
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