A Socio Political Club in Ateneo de Davao University

July 15, 2013 Manifestation on the July 12, 2013 Speak Up Event, Underscoring Senate Bill 73, or the Crowdsourcing Act of 2013

PIGLASAPAT is very grateful for the Office of the Buklod Ambassador, through the SAMAHAN Central Board for holding the July 12, 2013 Speak Up Event where Internet issues like Responsible Usage of it, the ADDU Confessions, the ADDU Conyo and most especially the presentation of the Senate Bill 73, or the Crowdsourcing Act of 2013, authored by Teofisto Guingona III. We are very much interested with the Crowdsourcing Billfor its goal is to allow participation of common people, students and employees alike, in the legislative process by providing them an avenue like the social media. Nowadays, the Internet enables us students in Ateneo to engage in issues and be informed about the current events. It also gives us an opportunity to be heard about whenever we rant on something, or comment to someone, or greatlyshare sentiments on a matter on hand. The thrust and underlying ideologies of this bill is (1) Transparency, (2) People Participation and (3) Public Accountability. Truly, these are principles of great value. However, we have contentions and comments about the bills ideologies. We begin with transparency. In the status quo, committee hearings are being announced to the public. Concerned parties, the legislators from both houses and interested parties like the media are notified. They are informed prior to a presentation or deliberation of a bill. Also, all pending legislations are open to the public through its websites: www.senate.gov.ph and

www.congress.gov.ph. We therefore believe that these are sufficient avenues for people to look upon. If truly the government wants transparency in their processes, the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill would be more apt and necessary than this. Secondly, the Crowdsourcing Bill enables people to participate thereby, empowering them further, especially during Elections and other political activities the government spearheads. Truly, part of the responsibilities of an elected official is to represent their district or constituents; therefore, parcel of such is the consultation process which this Bill underscores. So, if we allow crowdsourcing to be implemented, it will not make serious of the representation that the government officials embody. It would speak as if the legislators do not know what they do. Also, those who could access then in the given avenuethe social media, are not those supposedly voiceless and powerless (which people in power MUST represent from), but those well-off individuals who can afford an internet connection

Establishing Great Leaders since 1989 PIGLASAPAT

A Socio Political Club in Ateneo de Davao University

and time for the Internet. It might only empower those well-off citizens, and not the poorest of the poor, so to speak. Thirdly and lastly, the accountability is said to be manifested should this bill be passed into law. But we again say that if the government really wants accountability, more of that can be attested when the Freedom of Information Bill is passed. Selective transparency and accountability is only seen in this bill, as we believe so, if you further analyze our second point about making it only available to citizens well-off. It is but again true that awareness and participation bring about the due accountability of officials to their citizens. However, to make it full-blown and really genuine, the Freedom of Information Bill is the solution. Nevertheless, we are happy for such bill is introduced. The intention is very clear-cut, and the provisions speak for itself. We just would want the government now to focus on the long-stale Freedom of Information Bill. Last February 3, 2012, a revised Freedom of Information Bill was lobbied, drafted by experts assigned as administration study groups: Communications Usec. Manuel L. Quezon III, Sec. Ramon Carandang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Sec. Florencio Abad, and Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in coordination with some legislators.

(http://www.gov.ph/foi/). We but hope that this Bill, which underlies the same ideologies of the Senate Bill 73 the Crowdsourcing Bill, but of a greater scale, will be passed and be labelled as a priority bill, if the government really wants to empower the citizentry of their state.

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Establishing Great Leaders since 1989 PIGLASAPAT