In a democratic society, the bedrock of accountability is the informed citizen. The Philippines, through its Constitution and various legislative acts, recognizes that the right to information is not merely a statutory privilege but a fundamental right essential for the exercise of democracy and the prevention of corruption.

I. The Constitutional Foundation

The primary source of the right to information is the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Two key provisions anchor this mandate:

Article III, Section 7 (Bill of Rights): This section explicitly recognizes the right of the people to information on matters of public concern. It mandates that access to official records, documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions shall be afforded the citizen, subject to limitations provided by law.
Article II, Section 28 (State Policies): This provision complements the Bill of Rights by adopting a policy of full public disclosure of all transactions involving public interest, reinforcing the state's duty to be transparent.

II. Executive Order No. 2 (2016): The FOI Executive Order

While the Philippine Congress has yet to pass a comprehensive Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, Executive Order No. 2, signed in 2016, operationalized the right to information within the Executive Branch.

Scope: It covers all government offices under the Executive Branch, including departments, bureaus, and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
Presumption of Openness: There is a legal presumption that every record is public. The burden of proof to show why information should be withheld rests on the government office.
The 15-Day Rule: Government offices are generally required to respond to an FOI request within fifteen (15) working days from receipt. This can be extended if the information requested requires extensive search.

III. Republic Act No. 6713: The Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) serves as a vital transparency tool. It mandates:

Public Disclosure of Assets: Public officials must file a Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). These documents are matters of public record and are intended to monitor the accumulation of wealth by officials.
Accessibility of Documents: Section 5(e) requires that all public documents must be made accessible to the public within reasonable working hours.
Transparency of Transactions: It requires public officials to act on any request within fifteen (15) working days, ensuring that the bureaucracy remains responsive to inquiries.

IV. Limitations and Exceptions

The right to access public records is not absolute. Jurisprudence (notably Chavez v. PCGG) and the FOI Manual outline specific exceptions where information can be legally withheld:

National Security: Information that, if released, would jeopardize military operations or diplomatic relations.
Privileged Information: This includes executive privilege, attorney-client privilege, and records of closed-door cabinet meetings.
Privacy Rights: Personal information of third parties is protected under the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173), unless the information is directly related to a public official's functions.
Law Enforcement: Information that could interfere with ongoing investigations or endanger the life of an informant.
Trade Secrets: Confidential commercial or financial information that could give an unfair advantage to competitors.

V. Republic Act No. 11032: Ease of Doing Business

Often overlooked in the context of transparency, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 enhances access by requiring:

Citizen’s Charter: Every agency must post a clear checklist of requirements, fees, and procedures.
Zero-Contact Policy: To minimize corruption, the law encourages digital transparency and reduces face-to-face interactions for routine government transactions.

VI. The Role of the Judiciary and Local Government

While the Executive Order only covers the Executive branch, the Supreme Court has historically upheld the right to information in other spheres through its rulings. Furthermore, many Local Government Units (LGUs) have passed their own Local FOI Ordinances, extending the principles of EO No. 2 to the provincial, city, and municipal levels.

Summary Table: Key Transparency Laws

Law/Policy	Primary Focus	Key Mechanism
1987 Constitution	Fundamental Right	Bill of Rights (Art. III, Sec. 7)
EO No. 2 (2016)	Executive Transparency	FOI Requests & 15-day response
RA 6713	Ethics & Accountability	SALN Filings & Public Access
RA 10173	Data Privacy	Balancing transparency with privacy
RA 11032	Efficiency	Citizen’s Charters & Process Clarity

Through these legal frameworks, the Philippine legal system seeks to balance the state's need for confidentiality in sensitive matters with the public's right to scrutinize the actions of those in power.