UNODC: International: Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
A participant shares ideas during a workshop on the Right of Information Bill, organized by UNODC on 18 May 2026 in Manila, Philippines.
“Freedom of information
matters to every Filipino, simply because we live in a democratic society.
Democracy is grounded in decisions, and decisions are supposed to be based on
accurate data and information,” said Bryan Ezra Gonzales, from the advocacy group,
GoodGov PH.
These decisions shape everyday life. They determine how public money is spent, where hospitals and schools are built, how communities are protected and which services people receive.
Access to information allows citizens to monitor government spending, verify project implementation and access relevant public records. Access to information is also a frontline defence against corruption: when budgets, procurement and public contracts can be scrutinized, it becomes far harder to conceal bribery, the misuse of public funds or conflicts of interest.
This is why the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) — which the Philippines ratified in 2006 — requires States Parties to enhance transparency in public administration and to ensure public access to information as measures to prevent corruption.
For nearly four decades, the right to information has been enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. Yet, despite repeated legislative efforts since 1987, the lack of enabling legislation has meant that this constitutional guarantee has not been fully realized in practice.
This gap was also highlighted during the Philippines review under UNCAC, where reviewing experts recommended the adoption of a comprehensive right to information legislation — the very reform this campaign seeks to advance.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime, together with the Freedom of Information Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) and with the support of the Government of Sweden, launched a nationwide campaign to strengthen public and institutional backing for the Right of Information (RTI) Bill – a landmark opportunity to translate a long-standing constitutional right into an effective legal framework.
If enacted, the law would offer a practical framework for openness and democratic participation, providing public access to government records, supporting public access to that information and establishing an independent oversight body.
The campaign
UNODC and FOI-PMO worked with civil society organizations from across the Philippines, providing them with practical advocacy tools and resources to engage municipal and city councils. UNODC equipped civil society organizations with a toolkit: a model resolution (in Filipino and English), a briefing document on RTI legislation, a guidance note on engaging local councils, FAQs for council members, a template letter for the council agenda and an action-planning template.
These organizations then worked in Sanggunang Bayan and Sangguniang Pankungsod to secure 100 local government resolutions calling on Congress to enact a national right to information law. These resolutions represent a collective voice and national commitment to transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption. They also combine international standards on corruption with local reform priorities.
Today, the nation stands closer than ever to making one of its most significant transparency reforms.
In Congress, both parliament's chambers recently passed the RTI bill on its third and final readings. To become law, the two chambers must now reconcile and ratify their respective versions of the bill through a bicameral conference committee before it is transmitted to the President. If the President signs it or takes no action within 30 days of receiving it the RTI Act will become law, after which an independent oversight body and implementing rules would be established.
Paper is one thing; practice another
"It is important for the government to be prepared to deliver on the promise that it will be open, that it will provide information and documents that citizens need. On the other hand, it is important for the public, citizens in general, to know what this bill is for. It is for the delivery of basic services to be improved. It is for transparency and accountability in contracts and projects vested with public interest or conducted using public funds," explained Malou Mangahas, Right to Know Right Now Coalition, one of the civil society organizations participating in the campaign.
“UNODC will continue working closely with partners to drive awareness, advance advocacy efforts and promote meaningful civil society participation in support of the RTI legislation in the Philippines," said Annika Wythes, Coordinator, UNODC Corruption and Financial Crime Hub for South-East Asia and the Pacific.
A participant shares ideas during a workshop on the Right of Information Bill, organized by UNODC on 18 May 2026 in Manila, Philippines.
These decisions shape everyday life. They determine how public money is spent, where hospitals and schools are built, how communities are protected and which services people receive.
Access to information allows citizens to monitor government spending, verify project implementation and access relevant public records. Access to information is also a frontline defence against corruption: when budgets, procurement and public contracts can be scrutinized, it becomes far harder to conceal bribery, the misuse of public funds or conflicts of interest.
This is why the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) — which the Philippines ratified in 2006 — requires States Parties to enhance transparency in public administration and to ensure public access to information as measures to prevent corruption.
For nearly four decades, the right to information has been enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. Yet, despite repeated legislative efforts since 1987, the lack of enabling legislation has meant that this constitutional guarantee has not been fully realized in practice.
This gap was also highlighted during the Philippines review under UNCAC, where reviewing experts recommended the adoption of a comprehensive right to information legislation — the very reform this campaign seeks to advance.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime, together with the Freedom of Information Program Management Office (FOI-PMO) and with the support of the Government of Sweden, launched a nationwide campaign to strengthen public and institutional backing for the Right of Information (RTI) Bill – a landmark opportunity to translate a long-standing constitutional right into an effective legal framework.
If enacted, the law would offer a practical framework for openness and democratic participation, providing public access to government records, supporting public access to that information and establishing an independent oversight body.
The campaign
UNODC and FOI-PMO worked with civil society organizations from across the Philippines, providing them with practical advocacy tools and resources to engage municipal and city councils. UNODC equipped civil society organizations with a toolkit: a model resolution (in Filipino and English), a briefing document on RTI legislation, a guidance note on engaging local councils, FAQs for council members, a template letter for the council agenda and an action-planning template.
These organizations then worked in Sanggunang Bayan and Sangguniang Pankungsod to secure 100 local government resolutions calling on Congress to enact a national right to information law. These resolutions represent a collective voice and national commitment to transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption. They also combine international standards on corruption with local reform priorities.
Today, the nation stands closer than ever to making one of its most significant transparency reforms.
In Congress, both parliament's chambers recently passed the RTI bill on its third and final readings. To become law, the two chambers must now reconcile and ratify their respective versions of the bill through a bicameral conference committee before it is transmitted to the President. If the President signs it or takes no action within 30 days of receiving it the RTI Act will become law, after which an independent oversight body and implementing rules would be established.
Paper is one thing; practice another
"It is important for the government to be prepared to deliver on the promise that it will be open, that it will provide information and documents that citizens need. On the other hand, it is important for the public, citizens in general, to know what this bill is for. It is for the delivery of basic services to be improved. It is for transparency and accountability in contracts and projects vested with public interest or conducted using public funds," explained Malou Mangahas, Right to Know Right Now Coalition, one of the civil society organizations participating in the campaign.
“UNODC will continue working closely with partners to drive awareness, advance advocacy efforts and promote meaningful civil society participation in support of the RTI legislation in the Philippines," said Annika Wythes, Coordinator, UNODC Corruption and Financial Crime Hub for South-East Asia and the Pacific.
further information
Learn more about the Philippines’ RTI path.
.JPG)
.JPG)
