Executive privilege: A strong barrier to the People's Right to Information

• Main Authors: Cruz, Veronica Regina A., Manahan, Kharis M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2010
• Subjects: Commercial Law
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/17770
• Institution: De La Salle University

Executive Order No. 464 (E. O. 464) is a controversial executive order issued in the Philippines on September 26, 2005 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroya that prevents cabinet members, police and military generals, senior national national security officials, and such other officers as may be determined by the President to attend congressional hearings unless the President gives permission to those who will attend the said proceedings. Many government dealings and projects became controversial in lieu of this order. A decision has been reached by the Court regarding the validity of EO 464. Sections 2(b) and 3 were held unconstitutional and therefore declared void. However, Sections 1 and 2(a) are valid. Moreover, the remaining portions of the Executive Order were held by many to be violative of their right to information. Several issues will be presented regarding the Executive Order and they will be addressed. The right of the people to information will be first presented and then followed by the lack of qualification for the coverage of the said order. Related matters will also be given consideration so as to fully explain the topics to be mentioned in this thesis. As established in this thesis, the lack of qualifications or specifics constitutes the problem and conflict with regards to the people's right to information. There is the need to supply this lack of qualification so as to not violate the rights of the people and not to confuse the public anymore. Also, it will lessen the anomalies in the government, particularly the Executive Branch. And lastly, said branch would re-gain its transparency and accountability.