Goals for
open government

OGP fosters global reform through transparency, citizen empowerment, & innovation in governance.

Our Commitment to Open Government Goals

The Phillippines, together the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa, founded on September 20, 2011, launched the Open Government Partnership, that aims to secure concrete commitments from national and sub-national governments to promote “open government”, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. In the spirit of multi-stakeholder collaboration, Goals for Open Government is overseen by a steering committee including representatives of governments and civil society organizations.

With the Philippines as one of the founding members of “Open Government” which now has about 75 member countries, the Alliance for Democracy, Economic and Moral Recovery Against Crime, Corruption and Terrorism (ADMOREACT), we are hopeful that we can have the full participation of our Local Government Units in increasing the participation of our citizen member volunteers
OGP provides a platform for reformers inside and outside of governments around the world to develop initiatives that promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. OGP aims to secure concrete commitments from national and sub-national governments that drive open government reform and innovation in an effort to push countries further in the areas of transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. It is a voluntary partnership that countries opt to join and through which civil society organizations, in collaboration with government, can advance initiatives that they deem in line with their reform agendas.

The principles of OGP are best explained by the Open Government Declaration. As outlined in the declaration, participating countries are expected to adhere to the following principles:

  1. Acknowledge that people all around the world are demanding more openness in government. They are calling for greater civic participation in public affairs, and seeking ways to make their governments more transparent, responsive, accountable, and effective.
  2. Recognize that countries are at different stages in their efforts to promote openness in government, and that each of us pursues an approach consistent with our national priorities and circumstances and the aspirations of our citizens.
  3. Accept responsibility for seizing this moment to strengthen our commitments to promote transparency, fight corruption, empower citizens, and harness the power of new technologies to make government more  effective and accountable.
  4. Uphold the value of openness in our engagement with citizens to improve services, manage public resources, promote innovation, and create safer communities. We embrace principles of transparency and open government with a view toward achieving greater prosperity, well-being, and human dignity in our own countries and in an increasingly interconnected world.
 
The Alliance for Democracy, Economic and Moral Recovery Against Crime, Corruption and Terrorism (ADMOREACT) recognizes the importance of good governance in the transformation of the Philippines towards progress and we will be coming up with programs, executed by our volunteers through the multiple general steps and strategies
Access to Information: Open government initiatives often focus on providing citizens with access to government information. This includes making government data and documents available to the public. By having access to information, citizens can better understand government actions, policies, and decisions.

  1. Transparency: Open government involves transparency in decision-making. Citizens can advocate for transparency in areas such as budget allocation, public contracts, and policy formulation. When governments are more transparent, it’s easier for citizens to hold them accountable for their actions.
  2. Public Participation: Many governments are increasingly seeking input from citizens when making decisions. This can happen through public consultations, town hall meetings, surveys, and online platforms. Citizens can participate in these processes to voice their opinions and provide feedback on various issues.
  3. Citizen Monitoring: Citizens and civil society organizations can monitor government activities to ensure they are adhering to laws and regulations. This can involve tracking public spending, evaluating policy implementation, and reporting any irregularities.
  4. Advocacy and Lobbying: Citizens can form or join advocacy groups focused on open government, transparency, and accountability. These groups can work to influence government policies and practices through lobbying efforts, raising awareness, and collaborating with lawmakers.
  5. Technology and Innovation: Technology plays a crucial role in open government initiatives. Citizens can leverage digital tools to access information, engage with government officials, and collaborate with fellow citizens on various issues.
  6. Media and Journalism: Free and independent media can play a vital role in promoting open government. Investigative journalism can uncover government corruption or misconduct, bringing such issues to the public’s attention.
  7. Legal Mechanisms: In some cases, citizens can use legal mechanisms to ensure government transparency and accountability. This might involve filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests or taking legal action to challenge government actions.
  8. Elections: While not directly related to open government treaties, elections are a fundamental way citizens can influence their government. By voting for candidates who support open government principles, citizens can indirectly shape government policies. While not requiring ADMOREACT to vote for certain candidates, we would like to come up with guidelines and “inside information” on corrupt officials whom we should not vote for and those whose bills are not congruent with Filipino culture and values.