Cebu City VM Asks Council to Study FOI EO for Complementary Ordinance

Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has urged the members of the Cebu City City Council to study the executive order (EO) to implement the Freedom of Information (FOI) in the executive branch for the possible passage of a complementary ordinance.

Labella said the EO President Rodrigo Duterte signed last Saturday urged local government units to “observe and be guided by this order.”

“I will suggest that this matter be thoroughly studied by the members of the council and if necessary come up with an ordinance to complement the national stature of the national law,” Labella said.

Labella said he appreciated the signing of the FOI executive order because it was long overdue.

Labella, a lawyer and a former Ombudsman director, has advocated for public accountability and transparency.

Labella said the FOI executive order was in keeping with the accountability of the public office to the people.

He said the EO allows anyone access to official government information, records and documents, but only in the executive branch.

Presidente Duterte literally jumped the gun on Congress by signing the EO on the FOI for the executive branch before the formal opening of the 17th Congress on Monday. (PNA) PGL/EB/EDS