Records requests: Philippines.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand · India.

Moraph for Good · Voice

Records requests: Philippines

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/records-requests

In many places you have a legal right to ask public bodies for the information they hold. This sheet covers how to ask clearly and what to do next.

Before you ask

Check the body’s website, meeting papers and any disclosure log.
Work out which body holds the records.

Writing your request

Describe the records you want, plainly and specifically.
Give dates and the format you’d like.
Ask for records, not answers to questions.
Keep a copy and note the date you sent it.

Deadlines and fees

Time limits and fee rules depend on the country and the body: see the country section.
Ask for an estimate before any charges, and narrow the request to reduce them.

If you’re refused

The reply should say why and how to ask for a review.
Ask for a review promptly, then go to the independent body if needed.

In the Philippines

Your right. The 1987 Constitution recognizes the right of the people to information on matters of public concern, subject to limitations set by law.
Executive branch only. Executive Order No. 2 of 2016 puts this right into practice in the executive branch: national government offices, departments and agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and state universities and colleges. It applies to the executive branch only; local government units are encouraged to be guided by it.
How to ask. Send a written request to the government office concerned with your name and contact details, valid proof of identity, a reasonable description of the information, and the purpose of the request. Officials must give reasonable help, free of charge.
Deadline and fees. The office must respond within 15 working days. It can extend this for a large or complex request, but must tell you why, and the extension cannot go beyond 20 working days unless circumstances are exceptional. There is no fee to make a request, but you may be charged reasonable costs such as copying.
If you’re refused. A denial must be in writing with the reasons, and no answer in time counts as a denial. You can appeal in writing to the next higher office within 15 calendar days; it has 30 working days to decide. After that, you can go to court.

Official places to check:

Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library: elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/3/353
Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library: elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/5/68481

More free official help in the Philippines: moraph.org/commons/help/civic-engagement/ph

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 20 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/records-requests