MBTF rejects SP majority request for scholars’ info
CITES DATA PRIVACY LAW
DAGUPAN Mayor Belen Fernandez turned down a request of the majority councilors in the Sangguniang Panlungsod for a copy of the list of the city’s some 5,000 scholars, citing lack of “compelling legal basis” for the release of the information and invoking the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
“I most respectfully decline the release of the requested information, as doing so would violate the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012,” she said in her February 17, 2025 letter to Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, the SP presiding officer, and all members of the council.
The mayor said under that law, personal and sensitive information of individuals, including names and other identifying details, cannot be disclosed without their explicit consent unless such disclosure is legally mandated or necessary for a public function that outweighs privacy concerns.
The mayor said while she acknowledges the request of the SP for a copy of the list of scholars under the City’s scholarship program and fully supports transparency and accountability in government transactions, “there is no compelling legal basis requiring the release of scholars’ personal information, to the Sanggunian, providing the requested list would expose the City government to potential legal problems.”
The letter of the City Mayor was read before the SP by City Secretary Ryan Ravanzo upon instruction of VM Kua when Councilor Alfie Fernandez inquired about the response of the mayor’s office to his and colleagues’ letter requesting for a list of city’s scholars.
Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia said the seven majority councilors would again write the mayor to reiterate their request. (Leonardo Micua)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
