This case involves a request by petitioners from the General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System to furnish them a list of names of legislators who were able to secure loans upon the guaranty of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, as well as certified true copies of documents evidencing the loans
(RICARDO VALMONTE, OSWALDO CARBONELL, DOY DEL CASTILLO, ROLANDO BARTOLOME, LEO OBLIGAR, JUN GUTIERREZ, REYNALDO BAGATSING, JUN "NINOY" ALBA, PERCY LAPID, ROMMEL CORRO and ROLANDO FADUL, petitioners, vs. FELICIANO BELMONTE, JR., respondent. G.R. No. 74930. February 13, 1989)
This case involves a request by petitioners from the General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System to furnish them a list of names of legislators who were able to secure loans upon the guaranty of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, as well as certified true copies of documents evidencing the loans. In granting the petition for mandamus, the Court said that the public nature of the loanable funds of the GSIS and the public office held by the alleged borrowers make the information sought clearly a matter of public interest and concern. However, the right to access such records does not accord them a right to compel custodians of official records to prepare lists, abstracts, summaries and the like in their desire to acquire information or matters of public concern.
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