The executive order allowing for the implementation of the Freedom of Information act in the executive branch is ready for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Sunday.

In an interview on state-run radio dzRB, Andanar said that the EO has already been finalized and that they will try to have it signed by the President this coming week.

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“This week, sisikapin po natin na mapirmahan ng Pangulo (This week, we will endeavor to get it signed by the President),” Andanar said.

READ: Final draft of FOI executive order submitted to Duterte

Asked if there were any contentious provisions in the FOI EO and if those provisions prevented Duterte from signing the document, the Palace official said: “Wala naman contentious issues doon sa Freedom of Information executive order. As a matter of fact ay na-finalize na ito (There are no contentious issues in the Freedom of Information executive order. As a matter of fact, it’s already finalized).”

He said that the signing of the document was “overtaken by event” such as the issuance of the favorable ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the Philippines’ case against China.

Andanar said that the document has been scrutinized by chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

The Palace has promised last week that the FOI EO will be signed by the President, even going as far as saying that the week of July 10 to 16 will become a “historic” one due to the signing of the document.

The EO will cover all agencies under the executive department, including government-owned and controlled corporations. JE/rga

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