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A REVISED version of the Freedom of Information (FoI) bill has been completed by a Palace technical working group (TWG) and ready for presentation to President Benigno S. C. Aquino III, a Cabinet official said yesterday.
It is unlikely, however, if the bill can still be included in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad, who headed the TWG with Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky A. Carandang and Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III, said a draft of the FoI bill had been put together.
“The major revision was the institution of a commission that will stand between the government and the citizens who want information,” Mr. Abad told reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the Open Budget Initiatives launch.
While the people can still approach any government agency and request for information, the proposed commission will act as a “mediator” to ensure that any issues or concerns that are raised by the public can be addressed.
“The commission will find every possible way to make it easy for the citizens to access government agencies. The information, that is allowed to be shared will be shared,” Mr. Abad explained.
The FoI bill seeks to answer the constitutional provision that guarantees the right of the people’s access to information and documents in the custody of government officials and agencies. It has been backed by various social groups as a valuable means to expose corruption.
The World Bank was the latest body to call for the approval of the FoI bill on Tuesday, saying it was a crucial part of the campaign for good governance and transparency, spurring development in turn.
Last year, the Senate was able to pass the FoI bill, but the measure failed at the House of Representatives due to a lack of quorum. The bill was revived under Mr. Aquino, but the Palace did not identify it as a priority measure during the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
Mr. Quezon had earlier said that the FoI bill could be settled by the SONA or the next LEDAC meeting this month.
However, Mr. Abad has now cautioned that the bill might not make it in time for the President’s address next week.
“I’m not sure if it will be included in the SONA, but since we have not yet briefed the President about it, I don’t think that he will be in the position to announce it yet,” he said.
Mr. Abad assured, though, that the FoI bill is “certainly an important measure” for the government.
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By: Diane Claire J. Jiao
Source: Business World, July 20, 2011
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