The Philippines is known as the Pearl of the Orient Seas, boasting both natural and human resources. We are known to be very amorous people who hold family in high regard. The spirit of a Filipino never falters in the face of hardship, turmoil and difficulty. Our mountains and caves never failed to amaze the world, earning us a spot in harboring some of the best attractions everyone has ever seen, both in the ancient and current era. Our land has lots of things to be proud of.
Yet dark shadows in our community and in the way we do things are more noticeable than the above facts that should have catapulted us to the stage for others to genuinely admire. Even worse, we ourselves forget what we are worth due to these impurities.
When it comes to political governance, it would seem that others, and even ourselves, perceive the Philippine government to be corrupt, malicious and reeking of spiteful secrets. Countless revelations of under-the-table transactions gearing to personal gain have been rampant in all media, from TV, to radio, to internet sites. Most cannot help but wonder if there are still odious facts swept under the rug aside from the information we presume to be merely the tip of the iceberg. Distrust is the best adjective to what almost everyone has for what should have been a government of the people, by the people and for the people. This is not surprising at all.
Though it would seem that all hope is not yet lost. A bill reinforcing freedom of information is on its way for approval. This would potentially increase the public’s access to relevant knowledge that would have great effect on how our current situation would progress in all aspects as a nation. Each of us will get first hand awareness of the truth on each public issue, non-discriminating of education, gender and social stature. It would assure that everyone will be in the loop when it comes to matters concerning public interest, fostering transparency in every undertaking, every project, every action. Gone are the days that those public servants would simply say, “This is where your taxes go.” People are craving for full disclosure of all the transactions involving public interest as reputation and trust are not earned by words alone; it is awarded to those who act conscientiously even in the absence of the gaze of the society.
Indeed, this bill is timely. As a matter of fact, it has been of utmost need even before its time of drafting. We need to solidify our leaders’ obligations and responsibility to their people by creating open measures and policies under the spirit of integrity. Transparency would alleviate public unrest and give us all the inherent right to know what is and what is not. The current situation of our government and community greatly demands that matters concerning public interest should be properly and dutifully communicated. This would take time to be in effect and would require rigorous evaluation to smoothen whatever rough edges it might have, yet its potential is geared towards a better relationship between the government and the society as a whole.
It is never too late to try to make a 180-degree turn to make things right, or even better. Freedom of information would indeed assure us that nothing is hidden and all is factual. A light of veracity can illuminate the darkness from where we have been for the longest time due to deceit and selfish exploits. Trust can once more be gained, cooperation will surely follow. Then we would have more time to ponder on things we are good at, not on things to complain on. And surely, revival of our national pride will just be around the corner.
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