Passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) law in the Philippines will unlock new economic and business opportunities, transform governance, and build public trust in both markets and government institutions. Growing political alignment is signaling a strategic opportunity to advance the FOI legislative agenda. CIPE’s network continues to strengthen democratic actors to cultivate a more open business environment through FOI legislation around the world.
As Philippine stakeholders come together to push for its first FOI law, they are laying the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous democracy.
FOI Law Will Advance Economic Freedom
Evidence from countries with FOI laws shows that transparency and economic freedom are linked to competitiveness, steady investment inflows, and economic growth. CIPE has been working with FOI advocates around the world to build public awareness of FOI’s economic benefits.
Our people can only truly participate in governance if they have access to information.
— President Ferdninand Marcos Jr.
In Asia, the Philippines is critically close to enacting a significant FOI law. Passing this law will foster public trust in both markets and government. Access to information and transparent, equitable governance will create new economic and business opportunities on a global scale.
This law will also enable U.S. companies and other foreign investors to compete fairly and access vital regulatory and market information.
FOI Boosts Economic Growth in the Region
FOI success is evident elsewhere in South Asia. CIPE partner Verité Research has supported the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Right to Information (RTI) law. Enacted in 2016, the law grants public access to over 4,500 public authorities and is widely regarded as one of the strongest in South Asia. Verité Research supported compliance and public awareness campaigns to underscore the importance of proactive disclosure in public offices. This empowered citizens and stakeholders to effectively use the RTI law and hold the government accountable.
According to IMF governance assessments, Sri Lanka stands to benefit economically through improved transparency and RTI implementation.
Private Sector Builds Momentum for FOI
As in Sri Lanka, CIPE’s network is promoting a FOI agenda in the Philippines. CIPE partner the Makati Business Club (MBC) has been consistently advocating for the FOI law.
In February at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) meeting in Manila, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. affirmed that access to information is essential: “Our people can only truly participate in governance if they have access to information. This access is made possible by government transparency, digitalization, and the institutionalization of freedom of information through legislation.”
In April, private sector participation was formally included in the Development Budget Coordination Committee. Several executive offices have been working with local businesses to broaden the scope of the bill, aiming to prioritize it in the president’s legislative agenda.
Most recently, in June the government passed the E-Governance Act, which assures digital access to public services and government data. This is an important step in passing the full FOI bill, which OGP Philippines Chair Amenah Pangandaman has identified as a reform priority for 2025.
A New Law, Decades in the Making
The Philippine public’s right to information is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution; Congress has tried several times to pass a FOI law over three decades of private sector and civil society advocacy. A key victory came in 2016, when former President Rodrigo Duterte mandated FOI in signing Executive Order No. 2.
While the executive order remains in effect, it excludes the legislative and judicial branches as well as local governments, limiting a whole-of-government FOI approach and leaving accountability gaps.
Under current president Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the bill remains a legislative priority. To date, 88 local government units have enacted FOI ordinances; this is a positive sign that FOI momentum is growing at the local level.
Published Date: August 20, 2025