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WELCOME REMARKS
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Ms. EDEN DARLENE A. MENDOZA
Chief, Compliance Monitoring Division
Presidential Communications Operations Office
 PRELIMINARIES
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Ms. SHANNAH ARNIDOVAL
Host
Presidential Communications Operations Office
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 FREEDOM OF
INFORMATION (FOI)
Event  BOVERVIEW
PROGRAM ackdrop
ATTY. TRISTAN E. DE GUZMAN
Chief, Policy, Planning and Support Division
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Updates
 Constitutional Basis
Article II, Section 28
State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all
its transactions involving public interest.

Article III, Section 7

The Right of the people to information on matters of public
concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to
documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or
decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for
policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to
limitations provided by law.
When did it start?
House Bill 498 or the Right to
Information Bill was first
filed in Congress in 1987 by
the late Senator Raul Roco

Updates
When did it start?
 What does the EO say?
Operationalizing in the Executive Branch the People’s
Constitutional Right to Information and the State Policies
to Full Public Disclosure and Transparency in the Public
Service

Every Filipino shall have access to information, official

records, public records and to documents and papers
pertaining to officials acts, transactions or decisions, as
well to government research data used as basis for policy
development.
Who oversees FOI implementation?
Who can request
for gov’t info?

any Filipino citizen

 “GOVERNMENT INFORMATION”

...recorded, stored, or kept in

or under the control and
custody of any government
Information Official Records
office pursuant to law,
executive order, and rules and
regulations or in connection
with the performance or
Updates transaction of official business
by any government office

Public Records
 “INFORMATION”
• Records • Maps • Magnetic or
• Documents • Books other tapes
• Papers • Photographs • Electronic Data
• Reports • Data • Computer
• Letters • Research Stored Data
• Contracts Materials
Updates
• Films
• Minutes of
Meetings • Sound and
Video
Recording
“OFFICIAL RECORDS”

Information produced or received by

a public officer or employee, or by a
government office in an official
capacity or pursuant to a public
function or duty.

Updates
“public RECORDS”

Information required by laws,

executive orders, rules, or
regulations to be entered, kept,
and made publicly available by
a government office.

Updates
Coverage Of the
executive order
Updates
The following
are encouraged
to comply:
Updates
Local Governments with FOI Ordinances

Province  of Province  of Province  of Province  of Province  of Municipality  of Municipality Municipality  of
Benguet Ilocos Norte Surigao Del  Norte Bohol Masbate Pakil,  Laguna of  Torrijos, San  Nicolas
Marinduque Ilocos Norte

Municipality   Municipality   Municipality  of

City  of City  of  Laoag, City  of City  of City  of  
of  Infanta,   of  Sablayan,   San  Roque,  
Pasig Ilocos Norte Tuguegarao Antipolo,  Rizal Legazpi,  Albay
Quezon Occidental  Mindoro Northern  Samar
Application and Interpretation
• There shall be a legal presumption in favor
of access to information
• No request shall be denied unless exempted
under the law
• Applicability of exceptions shall be
determined by the head of office
• No exceptions shall be used to cover up
crime, wrongdoing graft or corruption
How can you REQUEST for gov’t info?
People’s FOI Manual contents:
a. Contact Information
b. Receiving Officer
c. Procedure
d. Standard Forms
e. Appeal
f. Schedule of Fees
 THE FOI PROGRAM

Updates
Standard  request Online  request
FOI  Request  Form (www.foi.gov.ph)
What are the requirements
for filing An FOI request?
Present/attach  government  
Updates
issued,  school,  or  company  ID
 FREE

What are the requirements

for filing An FOI request?
Fees
Updates
 15
Working days
How long does it take? For simple requests

Updates +20 working days

for complex requests
aVERAGE WORKING DAYS

Updates
7
Working days
ACROSS EXECUTIVE BRANCH
 15  working  days

Submits  FOI   Initial  

Request evaluation/ Transmit  
clarification Approve
Form  to to
Deny

Receiving Decision  Maker

Requesting
Party Inform  on   Officer
Returns  to
approval
or  denial
Denial of Request for Information
• Form is incomplete

• Falls under the exceptions

• Identical or similar requests or info is

already disclosed

In any case, requestor shall be notified of

the denial of his request.
 What if  the  citizen is  not  satisfied?

Appeals process depends on the

agency concerned, as indicated
in its
FOI Manual.

It is encouraged to establish a
Central Appeals and
Review Committee
within the agency.
Updates
Agencies may also assign the
the person or office next higher
in authority to receive appeals.
 What if  the  citizen is  not  satisfied?

Written appeals must be filed

by the same person making
the request within
15 calendar days
from the notice of denial or
from the lapse of the relevant
Updates
period to respond to the
request.
 What if  the  citizen is  not  satisfied?

The appeal shall be

decided within
30 working days
from the filing of said written
appeal.

Failure of such person or office

to decide within the period
shall be deemed aUpdates
denial of the appeal.
 What if an agency does not comply?

Administrative  Liabilities
[Revised  Rules  on  Administrative  Cases  in  the  Civil  Service]

1st offense : reprimand

2nd offense : suspension  (1-­‐30days)
3rd offense : dismissal  from  service
Updates
FOI Policies

Updates
Policy development

Joint  policy  with  the  

Department  of  the  
Interior  and  Local  
Government  on  
Localizing  Access  to  
Updates Information
 Policy development

Strengthened  compliance  of  

agencies  through  the  
inclusion  of  FOI  requirements  
for  the  eligibility  to  
performance  bonuses
Updates
The FOI Exceptions List

Updates
 The FOI Exceptions List
1. Information covered by 5. Confidential Information by reason
Executive Privilege of official capacity

2. National Security, Defense or 6. Prejudicial Premature Disclosure

International Relations
7. Records of Proceedings
3. Law Enforcement & Protection of
Public & Personal Safety 8. Confidential information under
banking and finance laws
Updates
4. Confidential Information for the
Protection of Privacy of Persons 9. Other exceptions under laws,
jurisprudence, and IRR
 Information covered by
Executive Privilege
• Presidential conversations (may only
be invoked by the President and his
close advisor)

Updates
• Deliberative process such as advisory
opinions, recommendations, draft
decisions
 National Security, Defense or
International Relations

• Info that must be kept secret in

the interest of national defense
or security
• Diplomatic negotiations – DFA
• Updates
Patent applications which would
prejudice national security &
interest
Law Enforcement & Protection of
Public & Personal Safety
• Investigation records
•
•
Updates
Informer’s privilege
Witness Protection Program
 Confidential Information
for the Protection of Privacy of Persons

• Sensitive personal info covered by

the Data Privacy Act of 2012
• Source of news reports
• Updates
Records of proceedings esp. minor
victims
 Confidential Information by
reason of official capacity

• trade secrets
• intellectual property
• any secret, valuable or proprietary info
of a confidential character known to a
public officer
 Prejudicial Premature Disclosure
• info that may endanger the financial
stability of any financial institution
• proposed action that may frustrate
implementation if disclosed

Updates
 Records of Proceedings
• Conciliation Proceedings
• Examination by SEC
• Info re Human Security Act
 Confidential Information under banking
and finance laws
• Secrecy on Bank Deposits
• Foreign Currency Deposits
• Anti-Money Laundering Act
• Credit Information System Act
 Other exceptions under laws,
jurisprudence, and IRR

• Attorney-client privilege
• Updates
SALN if the purpose is contrary to
morals or public policy or will be used
for commercial purpose
FOI Policies

Updates
 NPC Advisory No. 2017-02
Disclose  Personal  Data  Sheet   if:

1. information   requested  is  a  matter  of  public   concern;

2. requesting  party   has  declared  and  specified   the  purpose  
of  his/her   request;
3. The   declared   and  specified   purpose   is  not  contrary   to  
Updates
law,  morals,  and  public   policy;   and,
4. personal  data  requested   is  necessary  to  the   declared,  
specified,   and  legitimate  purpose
 Draft 2018 SALN Guidelines
Redact  for  security  and  privacy  concerns:

1. Home  address  of  the  declarant

2. Name  and  date  of  birth  of  children
3. Signature
4. Updates
Identification  card  number  indicated
LATEST FOI
POLICY
Updates
FOI  Memorandum  Circular  No.  4,  s.  2019
METHODS OF REDACTING
INFORMATION MANUALLY
• Use  of  Marker
• Corrective  Tape
• Digital  Redaction Updates
 EXTRACTION OF INFORMATION
FROM DOCUMENTS

Updates
Photocopier Scanner Retyping  of  
Documents
FOI success story
Updates
FOI success story
Updates
FOI success story
Updates
CONTACT US
(02)  8588-­‐0691

www.foi.gov.ph
FOI  Philippines
@foi_ph foi.pco@gmail.com

foiph Unit  103,  BFB  Building,  

JP  Laurel  St.  Malacañang,  
Manila,  Philippines
Event  Backdrop
 QUESTION
1. The FOI program is mandated
by the Republic Act
Strengthening the People’s Right
to Information.

True or False
 QUESTION
2. Agencies have a total of
fifteen (15) working days to
grant or deny simple requests
and another ten (10) working
days for complex requests.

True or False
 QUESTION
3. Failure to comply with the
provisions of the Executive
Order may be a ground for
criminal sanctions.

True or False
 QUESTION
4. The Executive Order covers
agencies such as: Department
of Education, National Security
Council, National Youth
Commission, and Commission
on Audit.

True or False
 QUESTION
5. If a citizen is not satisfied with
the response, he/she may write
an appeal letter to the PCOO.

True or False
 QUESTION
6. There are eight (8) categories
of exceptions to EO 2.

True or False
 QUESTION
7. Agencies can register a
maximum of one (1) Receiving
Officer and one (1) Decision
Maker only.

True or False
 QUESTION
8. Some information on the
Statement of Assets, Liabilities,
and Net Worth (SALN) can be
removed/redacted before
disclosure to the public.

True or False
 QUESTION
9. Some information on the
Statement of Assets, Liabilities,
and Net Worth (SALN) can be
removed/redacted before
disclosure to the public.

True or False
 QUESTION
10. The FOI Receiving Officer
cannot deny a request for
information based on the list of
exceptions; it is the
responsibility of the FOI
Decision Maker.

True or False
2019 PBB COMPLIANCE ON
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FOI PROGRAM
Ms. MA. DANICA A. ORCULLO
Compliance Monitoring Officer
 FOI
COMPLIANCE
ü How to Accomplish the FOI Reports
ü Agency Information Inventory
ü FOI Registry and FOI Summary Sheet
ü Validation Process for FY 2019 PBB
FOI REPORTS
- Agency Information Inventory
- FOI Registry
- FOI Summary
The link should bring you to the FOI Reports
template

Step 1 – Click on File

Step 2 -­ Click on Download
Step 2 – Then click on Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)
Step 3 – Click on open file folder
Step 4 -­ Use the downloaded file in creating
the FOI Reports.
FOI REPORTS
Agency Information Inventory
FOI REPORTS
Standard & eFOI FOI Registry
FOI REPORTS
Standard & eFOI FOI Registry
 FOI REPORTS
Standard & eFOI FOI Registry

What  if  there  is  NO  FOI  Request  to  report  both  under  the    
e-­‐portal  and  the  standard  platform.
FOI REPORTS
FOI Summary Sheet
 FOI REPORTS
FOI Summary Sheet
What  if  there  is  NO  FOI  Request  to  report  both  under  the    
e-­‐portal  and  the  standard  platform.
 2019
PBB Compliance
Requirements
 2019 PBB Compliance
Requirements
The  FOI  REPORTS  submission  shall  be  submitted  
ANNUALLY starting  this  2019:  
2019 PBB Compliance
Requirements
 2019 PBB Compliance
Requirements
NOVEMBER 30, 2019: JANUARY 31, 2020:
SIGNED FOI MANUAL SCREENSHOT OF THE FOI
Uploaded under the LOGO
TRANSPARENCY SEAL Linked To The e-FOI PORTAL
found on the Agency’s website.

2019 FOI Reports

Uploaded under the
TRANSPARENCY SEAL
Validation Process
 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Contact us for the schedule and send us a
request letter indicating the time, date, and
venue of the orientation addressed to the

Event  Backdrop
following details:

ATTY. KRISTIAN R. ABLAN

Assistant Secretary and FOI Program Director
Presidential Communications Operations Office
(PCOO)
BFB Building, J.P. Laurel St. cor Matienza St.,
Malacañang, Manila

Telephone no: (02) 588-0691

Email: foi.pco@gmail.com
CONTACT US
(02)  8588-­‐0691

www.foi.gov.ph
FOI  Philippines
@foi_ph foi.pco@gmail.com

foiph Unit  103,  BFB  Building,  

JP  Laurel  St.  Malacañang,  
Manila,  Philippines
Event  Backdrop
Walkthrough to the
Electronic FOI Portal
Event  Backdrop
(www.foi.gov.ph)

Mr. MARTIN CENETA

Information Technology Lead
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Updates
 The  eFOI  Portal:  Agency  Backend
15  working  days

Submits  
accomplished   Initial  
eFOI  Request   evaluation/ Transmit  
Receiving   clarification Decision   Approve
Form to
Requesting   Officer Maker
Party Deny

Inform  on  
approval
or  denial
 eFOI  Portal
www.foi.gov.ph

Sends email notifications to Requesting Parties re:

• written  replies
• acceptance  of  request
• denial  of  request
• change  of  request  status
 eFOI  Portal
www.foi.gov.ph

Flags requests based on processing times:

Requests without Extensions
• 0-8 days: green flag
• 9-15 days: yellow flag
• 16+ days: red flag

Requests with Extensions

• 0-8 days: green flag
• 9-15 days: yellow flag
• 16-35 days: blue flag
• 36+ days: red flag
 eFOI  Portal
www.foi.gov.ph

User Login  Page

Requesting Party www.foi.gov.ph/login

FOI Receiving Officer

www.foi.gov.ph/agency/login

FOI Decision Maker

 eFOI Portal
www.foi.gov.ph/login
 eFOI Portal
www.foi.gov.ph/agency/login
Onboarding  Form

bit.ly/efoi-form
Email  activation  link
Email  activation  link
The  eFOI Portal  for  
Receiving  Officers

Updates
FOI  Receiving  Officer  (FRO)

• conducts initial evaluation of requests

• denies requests due to:

o incomplete form/for clarification
o wrong agency
o invalid request
Agency  Dashboard  Log-­in
www.foi.gov.ph/agency/login
Requests  Monitoring Dashboard:  
Pending  Requests
Requests  Monitoring Dashboard:  
All  Requests
Individual  Request  Page
Individual  Request  Page:  
Accepted  Request
Individual  Request  Page:  
Denied  Request
Individual  Request  Page:  
Denied  Request
Individual  Request  Page:  
Accepted
Individual  Request  Page:  
Denied  Request
MANUAL  REQUESTS
DASHBOARD
eFOI  Request  Form
The  eFOI  Portal  for  
FOI  Decision  Makers

Updates
FOI  Decision  Maker  (FDM)
• conduct evaluation of requests
• ask for clarification
• grant request if info is available and can be disclosed
• deny request if:
o wrong agency
o info violates the Data Privacy Act of 2012
o info falls under the Exceptions List
o invalid request
Assigned  To  Me:  
All  Requests
Assigned  to  me:
Forward
Assigned  to  me:
reply
Assigned  to  me:
deny
 Assigned  to  me:
Awaiting  clarification
Assigned  to  me:
processing
Assigned  to  me:
successful
Assigned  to  me:
denied
Assigned  to  me:
closed
Assigned  to  me:
Red  flags
All  Requests  Dashboard
CONTACT US
(02)  8588-­‐0691

www.foi.gov.ph
FOI  Philippines
@foi_ph foi.pco@gmail.com

foiph Unit  103,  BFB  Building,  

JP  Laurel  St.  Malacañang,  
Manila,  Philippines
Event  Backdrop
ASSESSING INFORMATION
DISCLOSURE PRACTICES
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FOR Backdrop
FOI COMPLIANCE
Ms. EDEN DARLENE A. MENDOZA
Chief, Compliance Monitoring Division
Presidential Communications Operations Office
Let’s take a step back
Late 2018, FOI Policies and monitoring
mechanisms are already in place:

• Executive Order No. 2 s. 2016

• FOI Manuals
• FOI Memorandum Circulars on FOI Reports:
ü FOI Registry and Summary Report
ü Agency Information Inventory
Assessing information disclosure practices
For foi compliance
( AID-FOI TOOL )

Step Up
Consulting
 Why?

• What are their pain points?

• Where are the bottlenecks?
• How do we solve these?
• How can we further assist the
implementing agencies?
• Any key areas for improvement?
Assessing information disclosure practices
For foi compliance
( AID-FOI TOOL )
 AID-FOI TOOL OBJECTIVES

• Determine the capacity and

performance of agencies in complying
with FOI policies and mechanisms
• Determine ability of agencies to
respond to information requests
• Moving forward: develop a capacity
development strategy to improve FOI
implementation and information
disclosure practices
 Element 1: leadership
Indicator 1:

Level of commitment of
agency leaders to
institutionalize FOI
within the agency

Always / Sometimes / Rarely /

Never / Not Applicable
Element 1: leadership
Element 1: leadership
Element 2: strategic and policy framework,
guidelines, and procedures

Indicator 2:

Presence of whole-of-
agency policy, strategy,
guidelines, and procedures
regarding FOI
implementation
Yes / No / Not Applicable
Element 2: strategic and policy framework,
guidelines, and procedures
 Element 3: structure, systems, and
procedures
Indicator 3:

Presence and functioning

of structures and systems
to ensure effectiveness
and efficiency of FOI
implementation
Yes / No / Not Applicable
Element 3: structure, systems, and
procedures
Element 4: monitoring
Indicator 4:

Presence and
functioning of monitoring
systems for FOI
implementation

Always / Sometimes / Rarely /

Never / Not Applicable
Element 4: monitoring
Element 4: monitoring
FOI-AID TOOL

SUCs must submit the

accomplished FOI-AID Tool
on or before:

25 November 2019
(Monday)
CONTACT US
(02)  8588-­‐0691

www.foi.gov.ph
FOI  Philippines
@foi_ph foi.pco@gmail.com

foiph Unit  103,  BFB  Building,  

JP  Laurel  St.  Malacañang,  
Manila,  Philippines
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