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  A Socio Political Club in Ateneo de Davao University 

Establishing Great Leaders since 1989

PIGLASAPAT 

 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 Bill—for 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 greatly—share 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 avenue—the 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

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  A Socio Political Club in Ateneo de Davao University 

Establishing Great Leaders since 1989

PIGLASAPAT 

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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