Transparency

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press warns that the proposed amendments would erode public access to government information and weaken accountability on the island.

The legislation restricts the right of access to public information. It would allow government agencies up to 50 business days to deliver documents exceeding 300 pages.

Representatives say they will introduce substantial amendments to the measure that changes the Transparency Act, which the Senate would have to review in a Conference Committee next Tuesday.

A pesar del rechazo inequívoco de la sociedad civil, líderes comunitarios, medios de comunicación, la academia y los gremios periodísticos, el Proyecto del Senado 63 (PS63) —una medida que obstaculiza el derecho constitucional de acceso a la información pública— podría ser llevado a votación esta misma semana en la Cámara de Representantes, sin que se escuche a todas las organizaciones que lo han rechazado.

Despite the absence of public hearings, the New Progressive Party delegation in the Senate voted in favor of the bill, introducing last-minute amendments that had neither been disclosed nor discussed beforehand.

As the Senate prepared to vote on the measure, members of the press and civil society warned that it would weaken Puerto Ricans’ right to know how their government operates.

This request has reached the court because the government has ignored Eliván Martínez’s petitions, as well as those of the CPI’s executive director, Carla Minet, who requested the Emergency Plan multiple times without receiving a response.

Two Senate bills could hinder timely access to scientific information and data crucial for public health decisions and emergency responses.