Right to Information Act approval to boost transparency, Dy assures CPAs

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has finally approved the long-awaited proposed Right to Information (RTI) Act, a significant step towards institutionalizing transparency and modernizing government services, before adjourning its first regular session. Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III assured the Isabela Chapter of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) that the bill’s approval reflects the House’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. Speaking through Isabela Board Member Amador Gaffud Jr. during the induction ceremony of the group, Dy stressed the accountants’ crucial role in ensuring that public institutions would remain worthy of the people’s trust. “We often say that accountants are good with numbers. That’s true. But more than that, you are the professional who guards the integrity of our institutions,” Dy said in Filipino, according to a statement issued by his office. “Behind every business, every local government, every corporation, and every public program, there are people who make sure that the accounting is right, the responsibility is clear, and the public has trust,” he added. According to Dy, before adjourning its first regular session adjourned, the House finally approved the long-awaited proposed Right to Information Act along with the proposed eBayad Act, major steps toward institutionalizing transparency and modernizing government services. “The good news is we are not just talking about good governance. This is becoming a law,” he said. “They’re both rooted in the same principle — that every centavo of public funds should be managed competently, clearly, and responsibly. Because good governance is not measured by how much government spends. It is measured by how responsibly every peso is managed,” he added. Dy said that while artificial intelligence, automation, and digital finance continue to reshape the accounting profession, integrity remained its greatest strength. “But as technology changes the way we work, one thing must never change: Integrity will always be your greatest asset,” he said. “Systems will become faster. Software will become smarter. But trust will always be built by people,” he added. In the second regular session of Congress, Dy assured the CPAs that the House would continue pursuing reforms to improve the ease of doing business, accelerate the government’s digital transformation, and strengthen transparency and fiscal responsibility. “We know that these reforms won’t be successful without the active participation of professionals like you,” Dy said. “So you can rely on the House to continue cooperating with sectors like PICPA to make laws that are practical, modern, and really helpful in developing our economy,” he added. /atm