FIVE YEARS AGO as president-elect, Benigno S. Aquino III promised to endorse, support, and push the passage of the Freedom of Information Act.

Five years hence as President, he has spurned his promise.

For over two hours, he delivered his sixth and last SONA on Monday, consistent in one thing: As in the first five, Aquino skipped mention of the FOI Act that has been pending before Congress in the last 15 years.

But five years ago, in separate interviews with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and other media groups, President-elect Aquino had declared his love for FOI.

In fact, he said he wants the FOI passed because transparency was one of the cornerstones of his new government.

That love is lost, and with it, Aquino’s word honor on FOI, now that he is President.

The video above is a composite of interviews and news reports on Aquino’s love affair with FOI, in the giddy days after his apparent election victory.

The stories, culled from voice over reports from the PCIJ and GMA-7, were published in May and June 2010.

FIVE YEARS AGO as president-elect, Benigno S. Aquino III promised to endorse, support, and push the passage of the Freedom of Information Act.

Five years hence as President, he has spurned his promise.

For over two hours, he delivered his sixth and last SONA on Monday, consistent in one thing: As in the first five, Aquino skipped mention of the FOI Act that has been pending before Congress in the last 15 years.

But five years ago, in separate interviews with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and other media groups, President-elect Aquino had declared his love for FOI.

In fact, he said he wants the FOI passed because transparency was one of the cornerstones of his new government.

That love is lost, and with it, Aquino’s word honor on FOI, now that he is President.

The video above is a composite of interviews and news reports on Aquino’s love affair with FOI, in the giddy days after his apparent election victory.

The stories, culled from voice over reports from the PCIJ and GMA-7, were published in May and June 2010.

FIVE YEARS AGO as president-elect, Benigno S. Aquino III promised to endorse, support, and push the passage of the Freedom of Information Act.

Five years hence as President, he has spurned his promise.

For over two hours, he delivered his sixth and last SONA on Monday, consistent in one thing: As in the first five, Aquino skipped mention of the FOI Act that has been pending before Congress in the last 15 years.

But five years ago, in separate interviews with the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and other media groups, President-elect Aquino had declared his love for FOI.

In fact, he said he wants the FOI passed because transparency was one of the cornerstones of his new government.

That love is lost, and with it, Aquino’s word honor on FOI, now that he is President.

The video above is a composite of interviews and news reports on Aquino’s love affair with FOI, in the giddy days after his apparent election victory.

The stories, culled from voice over reports from the PCIJ and GMA-7, were published in May and June 2010.