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Resolution No. 2013-009
A Resolution Calling on Buklod Atenista Member Schools to Support the
Revised Freedom of Information Act of 20121
Status: Approved Authored by:
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
WHEREAS, the Buklod Atenista Constitution states that basic Ignatian values such as respect
for humanity, dignity, freedom, justice, and service to our fellow men and women must at all times
be upheld and propagated2;
WHEREAS, the Buklod Atenista Constitution states that nationalism be inculcated in all
Ateneans3;
WHEREAS, a lot of information regarding government processes and transactions is kept from
the public. This lack of transparency has resulted to the structural cover-up of government
anomalies such as malversation of funds, abuse of power, and lack of compliance with state
procedures and processes. Moreover restraints on access to government documents limited the
audit of government management and performance;
WHEREAS, Article 3 Section 7 of the Philippine Constitution states that the people have the right
to information on matters of public concern. 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 such
limitations as may be provided by law;
WHEREAS, the government, as the representative of the people, founded on the principles of a
participatory and representative democracy, has an obligation to uphold the right of their
constituents to access information for the purposes of transparency and accountability;
WHEREAS, the Revised Freedom of Information Act 2012 upholds, in Section 2 Declaration of
Policy, the right of the people to information on matters of public concern, and adopts and
implements a policy full of public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest, subject
to the procedures and limitations provided by this Act;
WHEREAS, the Buklod Atenista is cognizant of the public role in auditing government policies,
programs, and practices and, as such, recognizes the invaluable right of the people to access
important government documents;
WHEREAS, while some member schools have reservations against this Act, in principle, this bill
is linear to the ideals upheld by Buklod;
WHEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Buklod Atenista shall express its support for the Revised
Freedom of Information Act of 2012;
WHEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that every Member school shall follow the following
phases according to their own means:
1Introduced by Reps. Taada, Biazon, Nograles, Angara, Casio & Colmenares, Bello & Bag-ao,
Romualdo, Apostol, Del Mar, Castelo, and Escudero"Article II, Section 1 of the 2011 Buklod Atenista Constitution #Article II Section 2 of the 2011 Buklod Atenista Constitution
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PHASE 1: RESEARCH AND MONITORING
The first step we need to do is to research further on ambiguous and contestable terms
and/or provisions of the Act. It is a must to understand the whole concept of the act so we
are able to spread the information in its most appropriate meaning. We also need to take
into consideration that we must monitor any progress on the Act in terms of revisions,
newer versions, amendments, hearings, et cetera. It is such because of the fact that thesecan also affect the stand on the bill.
PHASE 2: COORDINATION
Level One
We invite students and even representatives from government offices or agencies for
reactions, suggestions, and other concerns regarding the act. Results from this level should
be documented to be used on the next level.
Level Two
After we gather ideas from other people, we coordinate with the Buklod Atenista member
schools to discuss the concerns given on the first level and after, create the stand regarding
the Act. The means will depend on the discretion of the National Congress.
PHASE 3: CRAFTING
The next thing to do is to create a stand in support of the Bill with the respective student
governments. The stand should be based from the discussions made during the
coordination with the other Buklod Atensita member schools for unity among them.
PHASE 4: DISSEMINATION
Lastly, student councils will spread the stand on the bill for dissemination of information to
the school body and other agencies concerned.
WHEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution take effect upon a 2/3 vote of the
National Congress.
Zamboanga, Philippines, May 31, 2013.
Approved by:
IVY JANE TORREGOSA
Ambassador
Ateneo de Davao University
ROMMEL REGOR ONG
Ambassador
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
RAY CRISTOFER GOMEZ
Ambassador
Ateneo de Manila University
ALBERT WENCES DABA III
Ambassador
Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan
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RENZO ENRICO BLANCO
Ambassador
Ateneo de Naga University
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