Aprobación de la Ley de Transparencia marca el cierre legislativo - NotiCel - La verdad como es - Noticias de Puerto Rico - NOTICEL

Aprobación de la Ley de Transparencia marca el cierre legislativo - NotiCel - La verdad como es - Noticias de Puerto Rico - NOTICEL

The recent legislative session in Puerto Rico approved Project PS 63, which amends the Law on Transparency and Expeditious Access to Public Information. Despite significant opposition from journalistic associations, civil organizations, and legislators who characterized the measure as a regression in public oversight, the bill was passed. This outcome represents a critical setback for accountability mechanisms, weakening the tools available to citizens and journalists to effectively scrutinize government actions. From an open data perspective, this development is highly relevant, as it directly impacts the legal framework governing access to public information. By introducing amendments that critics argue hinder oversight, the legislation potentially restricts the transparency and availability of government data. This undermines the principles of open governance, making it more difficult for the public to obtain timely and comprehensive information about public management, thereby reducing civic engagement and oversight capabilities. The session also addressed other legislative items, including discounts for traffic fines and price transparency for expensive prescription drugs. While these measures aim to provide economic relief or consumer protection, they stand in sharp contrast to the broader implications of the transparency law amendments. The approval of PS 63 emerges as the most significant event concerning data rights, signaling a potential contraction in the availability of open government data and posing challenges for transparency advocates seeking robust access to public records.

Source: noticel.com
Published on 2025-11-20