Executive Order on FOI out soon – Palace

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Executive Order on FOI out soon – Palace
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar says they are now rushing the EO so that they can have it released 'this week or next week'

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang announced on Sunday, July 3, that they are expecting to release an executive order (EO) on the much-awaited Freedom of Information (FOI) – which President Rodrigo Duterte promised during his campaign – “this week or next week.”

In a radio interview on dzRB, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said they are now rushing the EO so that they can have it released immediately.

“When we spoke to the President during the turnover ceremony at the Philippine National Police, we had the chance to remind him of his promise to the media and to the public. And so, we’re drafting it now. We’re fine-tuning the executive order, and hopefully we’ll be able to announce it this week or next week,” Andanar said in Filipino.

During the presidential campaign, Duterte promised to prioritize the FOI bill, which has long been pending in Congress, if he wins.

He even said that if Congress is not keen on passing the bill, his first act once he assumes office will be to issue an EO on the FOI.

“This is now being drafted by our lawyers in the legal department of the Presidential Communications Office, and even in the Office of the Executive Secretary,” Andanar said.

In relation to the FOI, Andanar added that they are also working on the creation of a presidential task force against media killings.

This, according to the Communications Secretary, is to “give members of media peace of mind” and to stop the extrajudicial killings of mediamen.

This is after Duterte’s earlier vague stance as to how he intends to address the alarming rate of media killings in the Philippines. – Rappler.com

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