After ”love life”, politics is the second-most favorite topic in our conversations and “kwentuhans” with our friends. We enjoy talking about politics in the workplace and once in a while, we extend our discussions to national levels. At which point, we take a “buntong-hininga” and say, “I wish we had more honest and effective leaders in the government.”

This all too familiar wishful thinking reminds me of the chronic problem of a beautiful friend of mine. And in classic “Abante rape victim” form, “itago na lang natin siya sa pangalang Maria.” Maria used to follow this pattern with her ex-boyfriends: Boy meets girl. Girl says yes. Girl loves boy too much. Boy gets “sawa”. Boy becomes unhappy. Boy meets other girls. Boy likes other girls. Boy leaves girl! 

With all of her 14 ex-boyfriends, Maria always ended up with a broken heart and an empty bank account. And so Maria sought the help of the best therapist in town. And her therapist told her that she has the right to check on her boyfriend, especially in matters that have the potential to affect their relationship. Her therapist gave her some tips on how to assert her right to get information regarding her boyfriend’s background, finances, and social life. She realized that because of her trusting nature, she never bothered to look into her boyfriend’s “past lives”. She was so naïve that she would always believe in her heart of hearts that part of loving someone is trusting them 100% – no questions asked! (This reminds me of the alma mater of Robin Padilla fans-”Maging Sino Ka Man”)

Fortunately, Maria learned her lesson and after her therapy, she finally found someone worthy of her pure love – all because she asserted her right to information – Information that she used to get feedback from her friends about her suitors. Information that she used to choose a really trustworthy boyfriend. Information that she used to expose men who lie and cheat. Information that she used to have a happier lovelife.

Lovelife topic - done! Moving on now to politics.  It turns out that just like Maria, we, the Filipino people, also have the right to information. Information that can be used to:

1. expose corrupt government officials
2. create a better democracy in our country
3. elicit people’s participation in public matters
4. help us make better choices in elections
5. campaign for policy changes
6. have honest and effective leaders in the government
7. create a more transparent and accountable government

For these reasons, I fully support Rep Juan Edgardo Angara’s House Bill 3732, also known as the “Freedom of Information Act of 2008″, currently being discussed on the floor of the lower house. Rep Lorenzo Tanada III voiced out his support of the bill yesterday in Congress. We should follow his lead. Let your voice be heard, not just here in the blogosphere, but in the halls of Congress. Contact your representative and ask them to help the passage of this bill. If you have a weblog, kindly share this info with your readers. You can also send Rep Angara an email via repangara@yahoo.com or write him a letter addressed to the “Office of Rep Juan Edgardo Angara, Rm. N-305, House of Representatives, Quezon City, Philippines”.

About Author: Lester Cavestany has written 20 articles. Lester Cavestany is a teacher at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. He has been an OFW since 2002 and he hopes that someday he can be back in the Philippines for good to continue the programs of Education Volunteers Educating Filipinos Inc., a non-profit organization he started with his friends in 2001.