Comabig Achieves Back-to-Back Recognition as Best FOI Officer

Rey G. Comabig, Head of the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Freedom of Information under the Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (PASCOM), has won the Best FOI Officer award for the second consecutive year during the 2025 FOI Awards held on November 28 at The Bellevue Manila, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa, following his first recognition in 2024.

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 leaders 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 the kingfishers 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.

“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.”