Comabig Earns National Recognition in 2025 FOI Awards
Rey G. Comabig, Head of the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Freedom of Information Office under the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (PASCOM), was recognized as one of the Best FOI Officers in the country during the 2025 FOI Awards held on November 28 at The Bellevue Manila, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa.
The annual award, conferred by FOI Philippines under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) of Malacañang, honors FOI Officers from government agencies under the Executive Branch who have demonstrated significant contributions to advancing the FOI Program.
Comabig has been actively promoting FOI within the university and across its service communities. He has delivered FOI orientations to a vulnerable coastal community in Liloan, Southern Leyte and to youth participants during the Youth Congress in Bontoc, Southern Leyte. Most recently, he played a key role in the Student Leadership Convergence, which brought FOI Philippines to the university to educate student leaders on the importance of access to information.
Awardees were selected through a rigorous screening process. The Screening Committee was composed of representatives from the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Communications Office, two civil society or non-governmental organizations, and one FOI partner agency. Nominees were evaluated, screened, and interviewed before final deliberation.
This marks Comabig’s second time receiving the prestigious recognition, his first being in 2024.
“I’m on cloud nine after receiving this award for the second time. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Southern Leyte State University for trusting me with this responsibility. Moments like this strengthen my hope that the Right to Information Bill will finally be passed into law because in a time when our nation faces so many controversies, true transparency is needed now more than ever,” Comabig said.
He added, “I will continue advocating for FOI, striving to reach more communities, especially those who still aren’t fully aware of what it truly stands for. This recognition fuels my commitment to push harder, speak louder, and help build a more transparent and accountable Philippines.”
