March 29, 2024

The Securities and Exchange Commission remained among the top performing agencies in the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program of the Executive Branch, as it continued to promote and implement projects that forwarded open access to information.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), led by its Freedom of Information-Project Management Office, recognized the SEC in the fourth installment of the FOI Awards, which seeks to recognize outstanding work from national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and non-government organizations in promoting the public’s right to know.

The PCOO named the SEC as one of the top performing agencies in the implementation of the FOI Program in 2019.

“As the overseer of the corporate sector and capital market, and champion of investor protection, the Commission has advocated for transparency and accountability within and beyond its offices,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.

“Going forward, the Commission will continue ensuring the effective exercise of the people’s right to information by promptly and diligently responding to requests under the FOI Program.”

Since the launch of the FOI Program in 2017, the SEC has already processed 8,726 requests from the public, including 3,080 from January to October this year. This comes amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which has prompted the Commission to adopt a work-from-home arrangement for most of its employees.

The SEC will continue to adhere to the FOI Program by posting relevant information on its website at www.sec.gov.ph and official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhilippineSEC. – Press release