ACLU of Puerto Rico calls on the public and organizations to document violations of the right of access to information

San Juan, P.R. – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Puerto Rico strongly condemned the action taken by Governor Jenniffer González Colón, who signed Senate Bill 63 into law, restricting access to public information—a key fundamental right that helps safeguard the constitutional protections of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

“Despite the compelling evidence of this measure’s unconstitutional red flags, the governor decided to turn into law a bill that departs from the principle of maximum disclosure, openness, and transparency that must guide public administration at all times,” emphasized Annette Martínez Orabona, executive director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico.

In light of the new obstacles imposed by the newly signed Act 156-2025, the ACLU of Puerto Rico urged the general public, journalists, organizations, and entities to record and document instances in which, when requesting access to public information, their right of access to information is violated during the process.

“With this measure, the government demonstrated a clear intent to prevent the public from having timely access to information they have a right to see and that is indispensable for decision-making, accountability, and oversight of public administration—basic elements in a democracy,” Martínez Orabona noted.

By amending Act 141-2019, the Transparency and Expedited Procedure for Access to Public Information Act, far from “facilitating” access, the governor unjustifiably extended response deadlines for requests, imposed new and varied bureaucratic hurdles, and reinforced a restrictive view of the public’s right to information.

In doing so, González Colón aligned herself with the anti-democratic actions of the Senate President and author of Senate Bill 63, Thomas Rivera Schatz, and the Speaker of the House, Carlos “Johnny” Méndez, who advanced the measure through a discharge procedure, with a pro forma public hearing, and by ignoring compelling evidence showing how this bill operated against the public interest. After the Legislature approved the measure, the ACLU of Puerto Rico asked the governor by letter on November 19 to veto it, arguing that it contained constitutional defects.

The organization emphasized that the people of Puerto Rico must be aware that, by signing this measure, the governor is obstructing public oversight and validating a government with less accountability around actions and decision-making.