Executive Order No.

2
Freedom of Information

Coverage: (SECTION 2)
All government offices under the Executive Branch, including but not limited to the
national government and its offices, bureaus, and instrumentalities, including
GOCCs, state universities and colleges. LGUs are enjoined to observe this Order.
Access to Information: (SECTION 3)
Access pertains to information, official records, public records and documents and
papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, including government
research data used as basis for policy development.
Exception: (SECTION 4)
Those falling under the exceptions under the Constitution, law or jurisprudence
o The DOJ and the OSG is directed to prepare an inventory of these exceptions
and update the same with the Office of the President
Application: (SECTION 6)
Legal presumption in favor of access to information. No request for information shall
be denied unless it falls under any of the exceptions circularized by the Office of the
President
Procedure: (SECTION 9)
Submit a written request to the government office concerned stating the following:
o Name and contact information of the requesting party;
o Valid proof of identification or authorization of the requesting party;
o Reasonably describe the information requested; and
o Reason for, or purpose of the request;
No request shall be denied or refused acceptance unless for the following reasons:
o Contrary to law, existing rules/regulations or one of the exceptions above
enumerated/mentioned
The public official receiving the request shall provide assistance, free of charge, to
enable requesting parties to comply with the request requirements.
The government office shall respond (deny/grant) to a fully compliant request within
but not exceeding fifteen (15) days from receipt of the request.
 Requesting party shall be notified of the extension of time to respond to their request
but the extension shall not go beyond twenty (20) days from the end of the original
period.
Fees: (SECTION 10)
No fee shall be charged for accepting requests. However, reasonable fees may be
charged to reimburse necessary costs, including reproduction and copying of the
information requested.
Notice of Denial: (SECTION 12)
The government office shall notify the requesting party within fifteen (15) days from
the request. Failure to notify within the period provided herein shall be deemed a
denial of the request.
Remedies: (SECTION 13)
Appeal may be had to the person or office next higher in authority in accordance with
procedure for administrative appeal as provided for by the particular government
office.
o Must be made within fifteen (15) days from notice of denial or from lapse of
the relevant period
Appeal shall be decided within thirty (30) days from filing. Failure to decide within the
period shall be deemed a denial of the appeal.
Upon exhaustion of administrative remedies, the requesting party may file the
appropriate judicial action in accordance with the rules of court.