Let Them Eat Cake, As Long As We Get FOI

The recent public spat between Iloilo City Councilors Nene Dela Llana and Sheen Marie Mabilog over their competing Freedom of Information (FOI) ordinances has been, to put it mildly, unappetizing. Likening a legislative draft to a “tasteless cake” and firing back with accusations of narcissism is the kind of political theater that tempts citizens to tune out. It’s a distraction that feels petty and unproductive.

Yet, beneath the unsavory rhetoric lies a crucial silver lining. While the public squabbling is unseemly, the competition between the two councilors could inadvertently bake a stronger, more thoroughly vetted FOI ordinance than if only one version had been proposed from the start.

Healthy competition, whether in business or governance, often produces superior results. Having two distinct drafts on the table forces a more rigorous debate. Each author is now compelled to publicly defend their proposal’s merits and, in doing so, expose the potential weaknesses of the other. This legislative crucible can burn away superfluous language and forge stronger provisions. We are no longer discussing a single take-it-or-leave-it proposal; we are comparing and contrasting different approaches to access, exemptions, and enforcement. This process is inherently more robust.

Crucially, this rivalry is not unfolding in a vacuum. Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, as committee chairperson, has promptly offered a “Solomonic” solution: a clear, established process to consolidate the best elements of both versions. His role provides a procedural guardrail, ensuring that the conflict doesn’t lead to gridlock but instead channels the energy toward a synthesis. The goal isn’t just to find a middle ground, but to build a superior final product by cherry-picking the strongest, most citizen-friendly clauses from each draft.

Most importantly, we must not lose sight of the fact that both councilors, despite their personal animosity, share the same fundamental goal: to pass an FOI ordinance. Their conflict is mostly over method, laced with a bit of objective. Both have expressed a willingness to merge their proposals and even concede authorship for the “best version.” This shared commitment to the principle of transparency is the common ground upon which a powerful and effective law can be built.

Therefore, the call to action falls squarely on the shoulders of the Committee on Communication and Public Information. They must rise above the political noise. Their task is to ignore the drama over who brought which cake to the party and instead focus on baking the best one for the public. They must diligently examine both drafts for the strongest enforcement mechanisms, the clearest procedures for information requests, and the narrowest possible exemptions.

The people of Iloilo City do not care who gets the credit on the ordinance’s masthead. They care about their right to know. They need a law that empowers them to hold their officials accountable. This unexpected legislative bake-off, however messy, presents the perfect opportunity to deliver just that.