MANILA — The House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to strengthen public access to government information.

In a report, it said that House Bill No. 9397, or the “Act Upholding the People’s Constitutional Right to Access Information and Promoting Full Public Disclosure of All Government Transactions Involving Public Interest,” received 284 affirmative votes with zero negative votes and zero abstentions.

The proposed legislation aims to give citizens broader access to official records, contracts, government expenditures, policy documents, research data, and other materials used by government agencies in decision-making on matters of public concern.

It covers all three branches of government — executive, legislative, and judicial — as well as constitutional commissions, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, local government units, and other government instrumentalities.

The bill also proposes the creation of an independent Right to Information (RTI) Commission that will oversee implementation, handle appeals on denied requests, investigate violations, and enforce compliance across government offices.

It further provides for a centralized online RTI portal where citizens can file, track, and monitor information requests electronically.

“The right to information is a constitutional right that empowers citizens to participate meaningfully in governance, demand accountability from public officials, and strengthen democratic institutions,” House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, one of the bill’s authors, said.

Marcos said the measure is designed to balance transparency with safeguards.

“When government information is accessible, citizens are better equipped to make informed decisions and actively participate in nation-building,” he said.

“This measure strengthens transparency while ensuring that legitimate concerns involving privacy, national security, and sensitive information remain protected under clearly defined safeguards,” Marcos added.

The bill also requires all government agencies to designate RTI officers responsible for processing requests in a timely manner.

It mandates the proactive release of key government documents, including budgets, expenditures, procurement contracts, audit findings, annual reports, performance indicators, public programs, and the use of public funds.

Among the principal authors of the measure are Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan, and House Committee on Appropriations Chair and Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing.