12 July 2012 His Excellency BENIGNO S. AQUINO III President of the Philippines Malacaan Palace Manila Thru: Hon.

Manuel L. Quezon III Undersecretary Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Subject: Passage of the Freedom of Information Act Dear Mr. President: We are members of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, a broad network of organizations and individuals from various social sectors and public interest groups that have long been campaigning for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. We have welcomed your endorsement in January this year of the FOI bill, with amendments to address a number of concerns that you have previously raised. We regard your endorsement as an affirmation of your administrations commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance. Indeed, you have staked political capital to stand on the side of transparency on many critical issues, including on the obligation of government officials especially at the highest levels to disclose their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth to the public. The question is whether the path towards higher norms of governance that you espouse can be institutionalized through a truly transformed culture in public service. It is this challenge that makes the passage of the FOI Act indispensable. It will make transparency the mandatory norm rather than a mere discretion and
For communications please contact: Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan Institute for Freedom of Information, Unit 1403 West Trade Center, 132 West Avenue, Quezon City Telefax: +63 2 426 5626 Email: nepo_m@yahoo.com

an unevenly implemented policy for government. It could well serve as the solid foundation for "daang matuwid", to carry on to succeeding administrations. Unfortunately, despite your earlier endorsement of an amended FOI bill, its passage remains uncertain. While it is getting a determined push in the Senate, it remains stuck at the House Committee on Public Information. Given the reality that the time available to pass this measure is fast closing on the 15th Congress, a decisive push from you will be necessary for the FOI law to finally pass. As part of this decisive push, we earnestly appeal for a reiteration and amplification of your support for the immediate passage of the FOI law in your upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA). Such reaffirmation will signal your administration's political will on FOI, and contribute substantially to motivating the House leadership and the House committee to take action and pave the way for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act before end 2012. The 2013 elections will in part be a referendum on how your administration, midway in its term, has been keeping to your mandate of change and to your marching orders to transform our government. The fight is not over. We look to your leadership in the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. We await with anticipation the inclusion of FOI in your SONA. Very truly yours, Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition SIGNED:
1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan Co-Director, Institute for Freedom of Information and Co-Convenor, Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition 2. Mr. Vincent Lazatin Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network 3. Ms. Malou Mangahas Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism 4. Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD Chairman, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines - National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA) 5. Ms. Annie Geron General Secretary, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) 6. Mr. Peter Angelo Perfecto Executive Director, Makati Business Club

7. Mr. Joshua Mata Secretary General, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) 8. Mr. Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III Coordinator, Action for Economic Reforms 9. Atty. Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz Executive Director, Liberts 10. Mr. Ramon R. Tuazon, President Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid, President Emeritus & Senior Adviser Ms. Madeline B. Quiamco, Dean Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication 11. Ms. Rowena Carranza-Paraan Secretary General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) 12. Mr. Red Batario, Executive Director Ms. G. Sevilla Alvarez, Program Director Ms. Rorie Fajardo Center for Community Journalism and Development 13. Ms. Yuen Abana Campaign Coordinator, Partido ng Manggagawa 14. Atty Eirene Jhone Aguila FOI and New Politics Advocate 15. Ms. Clarissa V. Militante Coordinator, Focus on the Global South, Philippines Programme 16. Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co Dean, UP National College of Public Administration and Governance 17. Mr. Isagani R. Serrano President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement 18. Mr. Jun Aguilar Mr. Elso Cabangon Filipino Migrant Workers Group 19. Ms. Melinda Quintos De Jesus Executive Director, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility 20. Mr. Sixto Donato C. Macasaet Executive Director, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) 21. Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo National Coordinator, WomanHealth Philippines 22. Prof. Leonor M. Briones Lead Covenor, Social Watch Philippines and

Chairperson, KAAKBAY Party List 23. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez Director, Southeast Asia Monitor for Action 24. Mr. Max M. De Mesa Chairperson, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) 25. Ms. Maxine Tanya Hamada Executive Director, The International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) 26. Mr. Norman Cabrera Secretary General, Ang Kaptiran Party 27. Ms. Ellene Sana Executive Director, Center for Migrant Advocacy 28. Mr. Benjie Barretto Acting Executive Director, Foundation for Media Alternatives 29. Mr. Floro Francisco Regional Consultant (Asia), LO-Norway 30. Ms. Jessica Reyes-Cantos Lead Convenor, Rice Watch and Action Network 31. Mr. Carlo Brolagda Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council, UP Diliman 32. Mr. Viko Fumar Chairperson, BUKLOD CSSP, UP Diliman 33. Mr. Jong Pacanot Freedom from Debt Coalition - Southern Mindanao 34. Mr. Mike Lopez Mr. Joseph Angelo Gutierrez Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP) 35. Sr. Pilar Versoza, Founder Mr. Eric B. Manalang, President Prolife Philippines Foundation 36. Mr. Edgardo J.T. Tirona Former President, Council of the Laity of the Philippines and Society of St. Vincent de Paul. 37. Mr. Edilberto M. Cuenca Lay Coordinator, Commission on Family & Life, Vicariate of Sts. Peter and Paul, Makati City 38. Atty. Corazon Fabros, Lead Convenor Ms. Abeline Salacata, Secretariat Stop the War Coalition 39. Ms. Joy Aceron Program Director, Government Watch/ PODER, Ateneo School of Government

40. Atty. Arvin A. Jo Focal Person, The Access Initiative (TAI)-Philippines 41. Ms. Starjoan D. Villanueva Executive Director, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (AFRIM) 42. Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio Director, University of the Philippines Center for Womens Studies. 43. Dr. Joseph Anthony Lim Professor, Economics Department, Ateneo De Manila University 44. Fr. Melvin Castro Senior Parochial Vicar, Diocese of Tarlac 45. Mr. Ace Ligsay Chairperson, Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA), UP Diliman 46. Atty. Normita V. Batula Executive Director, BALAOD Mindanaw 47. Mr. JC Tejano National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar - University of the Philippines System (BUKLURAN - UP System) 48. Mr. Migs Angeles Chairperson, Akbayan Youth - University of the Philippines Diliman 49. Ms. Anabelle E. Plantilla Chief Operating Officer, Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources 50. Ms. Carolyn O. Arguillas MindaNews 51. Ms. Len Manriquez Peace and Conflict Journalism Network 52. Myra Mabangque Broadcaster, Katbalogan, Samar 53. Yolanda Fuentes Journalist, Pangasinan 54. Mr. Bart Guingona President, pagbabago@pilipinas 55. Dr. Renato Mabunga Chairperson, Human Rights Defenders-Pilipinas 56. Dr. Nymia P. Simbulan Executive Director, Philippine Human Rights Information Center (PHILRIGHTS) 57. Ms. Jelen Paclarin Executive Director, Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB)

58. Ms. Maria Fe Nicodemus Executive Director, KAKAMMPI 59. Ms. Maria Gittel Saquilabon Executive Director, Sumpay Mindanao 60. Mr. John Cortez - Secretary General Makabayan-Pilipinas 61. Ms. Zenaida Mique Executive Director, Claimants 1081 62. Mr. Emmanuel Amistad Executive Director, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines 63. Ms. Jean Enriquez Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific 64. Mr. Roland Vival National Campaign and Advocacy Coordinator, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura 65. Ms. Jana Cabuhat President, University Student Government, De La Salle University 66. Mr. Edward Dayog President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), UP College of Law 67. Mr. Curt Russel L. Delfin President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students 68. Mr. Gibby Gorres Executive Director, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN) 69. Mr. Gab Andres President, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (TAPAT), De La Salle University 70. Mr. Tristan Daine Zinampan LETS CDC, UPLB College of Development Communication 71. Mr. Joshua Lorenzo Layog Katipunan CHE, UPLB College of Human Ecology 72. Ms. April Me Lamentillo SINAG CAS, UPLB College of Arts and Sciences 73. Mr. Roger Abdulrachman Chief of Operations, Project Development Institute (PDI) 74. Mr. Jelson Garcia Asia Manager, Bank Information Center - Asia 75. Ms. Marlene Ramirez Secretary General, AsiaDHRRA 76. Ms. Ara Tan, President Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), UP Diliman

77. Dr. Leah Samaco Paquiz President, Ang Nars 78. Mr. Lauro Purcil President, Government Union for the Integration of Differently-Abled Employees (GUIDE) 79. Mr. Ray Bitancor President, National Police Commission Employees Association 80. Mr. Jonathan Jamora President, Bislig City Employees Association 81. Mr. Joselito Sabalbaro President, Mindanao Polytechnic College 82. Mr. Brill Degay Daupan President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), UP Baguio 83. Mr. Van Battad President, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), UP Diliman 84. Mr. Salvador H. Feranil Vice Chairperson, Philippine Network of Rural Development Institutes (PhilNet-RDI) 85. Ms. Mary Ann Fuertes Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), Davao City 86. Mr. Narciso P. Jover Jr. Executive Director, Tri-People Concern for Peace, Progress and Development of Mindanao (TRICOM) 87. Ms. Flordeliz Abanto Philippine association of Communication Educators (PACE). 88. Dr. Ma. Theresa M. Rivera College Research and Social Outreach (RSO) Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Xavier University