WHY ARE some government offices and state-run agencies shutting their doors to media who might want to gain access to public records? Worse, some officials even evade media interviews and appear “balat sibuyas.”

Recently Aksyon Radyo reporter Johnny Diaz and other media practitioners got a run-around with certain agencies that were previously accommodating requests for information. Why did they suddenly clam up?

Recently, National Food Authority provincial manager Hedy Jardeleza denied media access to data, clearly depriving the public’s right to information.

We can still recall how Diaz, together with DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez, the NBI and the PNP went to the office of National Food Authority at Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Gonzalez’ team and members of the Iloilo media wanted to verify the alleged rice hoarding by some Ilonggo rice traders here. The media was also trying to get clarifications on the alleged anomalous rice buying scheme of the NFA as reported by Sec. Gonzalez.

An irate Jardeleza suddenly blew her top and was quoted as saying “dapalon ko si Diaz.”

Huwag! Trabaho lang ang amon Ms. Jardeleza, walang personalan!

***

Just last week, chief city legal officer Edgardo Gil was the subject of various newspaper headlines for allegedly tampering the electric meter of Panay Electric Company in his residence.

As the news broke out, the Iloilo tri-media covering the city hall rushed to his office to get his side. But Gil badmouthed them instead. In fact, this is not the first time that Gil displayed his arrogance towards legitimate members of the Fourth Estate.

Before the news on the alleged electric meter tampering erupted, Gil was also embroiled in the alleged jumper connection of one Mrs. Encarnado, also a city government official. Ginbuyayaw man ni Gil ang media nga naga-interview sa iya.

***

My lawyer friends cited Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees as regards these two cases. The law provides a general rule on access to information. Section 5 of the Code states: “All public documents must be made accessible to and readily made for inspection by the public within reasonable working hours.”

Public officials should make themselves available for media interviews as long as it is of public concern. Indi kamo manago o magpalagyo!

Gil is also a lawyer. Dapat nakahibalo man siya sini!

***

The public’s right to information is expressly guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution and affirmed by the judiciary. Yet access to data and other public documents in government offices not only remains limited but it has become nil in some cases, apparently because of the current Senate scrutiny of particular government projects and media exposés adverse to the Arroyo administration.

My lawyer friend opined that when an agency withholds information, it is probably to protect certain public officials from embarrassment or from criminal or administrative liability.

Anyway, a citizen who is denied access to public information can take several actions to assert his or her right. You can exhaust your administrative remedies by going to the next higher office. Or you may request assistance from the Office of the Ombudsman or file an administrative complaint with the Civil Service Commission, a lawyer friend added.

“Transparency is an important element of good governance.” I pray that Republic Act 6713 will have more teeth against these balat sibuyas public officials.

One Response to “‘Balat sibuyas’ public officials”

• 1
  Dr. Antonio Gestosani
  May 15th, 2008 01:22

  To become a politician is a lucrative business in the Philippines. Once elected, you are guaranteed employment by the government and enjoy all the amenities that is yours to spend, including the secret bank account called pork-barrel. One politician I know said “ari man lang gali damo cuarta sa gobierno”. Check the lifestyle of your politicians now! Above all, once these politicians get rich and powerful, they become untouchable and unrepentable. And this my friend is the problem in the Philippines; too much politics, and too many corrupt and greedy politicians. Tranparency does not exist in the governmet. Why? Because you tolerate these politician’s bad habits. There is saying back home (Iloilo) : “OK lang na si boss kay bisan nagapanakaw, guina tagaan man kita”. My friend, the end does not justify the means. And therefore, you need to change the system. Your present governent is fine; just prosecute the corrupt ones and have good a government that works for you. God Bless…

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