What type of information is considered confidential under R.A. No. 6713?

Under R.A. No. 6713, information that could endanger the security or interest of the state or the public is considered confidential. This designation of confidentiality is crucial because it protects sensitive information that, if disclosed, could compromise national security, public safety, or the welfare of citizens. The intent of this provision is to ensure that public officials handle such information responsibly and maintain the trust of the public by preventing unauthorized access and potential misuse.

The rationale behind classifying this type of information as confidential lies in the need for public officials to act in the best interest of the state and its citizens. It emphasizes the importance of discretion and the ethical responsibility to safeguard information that could have far-reaching consequences if mismanaged.

Other types of information, such as general government procedures or information that could enhance public relations, do not fall under this level of confidentiality because they do not inherently pose a risk to state security or public interest. Similarly, while information shared among public officials could be sensitive in nature, it is not automatically deemed confidential unless it pertains specifically to security or public interest concerns.