Author: mcmangahas

A hundred groups urge P-Noy, Congress: Certify FOI as urgent!

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OVER a hundred organizations on Sunday urged President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and leaders of Congress to heed one clamor: Certify the Freedom of Information bill as an urgent, priority legislation.

In a statement, the groups that comprise the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, challenged Aquino and Congress leaders to make good on their promise to enact the bill into law in the 15th Congress.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Information had voted 17-3 on Nov. 27 to approve the report of its technical working group that consolidated 16 various versions of the FOI bill that it had received.

However, committee chairman Rep. Ben Evardone seems inclined to go slow on sending the committee report to the House plenary for debate on the floor. Evardone has scheduled yet another committee meeting on Dec. 11, supposedly for the committee members to sign the report.

The usual practice of Congress is for committee reports to be passed around for signing by committee members, without need for a committee hearing.

Only nine session days remain before the Congress goes on Christmas break on Dec. 22.

The statement of the Coalition follows:

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION bill (FOI) in the Senate and in the House of Representatives has advanced despite the odds, having passed the respective committees. FOI is now at a critical juncture, which will determine its passage in this 15thCongress.

Given that time is running out in the 15th Congress, we appeal to the Senate and House leadership, as well as to the Executive, to accord its passage the urgency it deserves.

It is within their powers to pass the FOI bill in the 15th Congress despite the time constraint.

The Senators can make good their earlier commitments to pass the FOI bill. They must find time to proceed with interpellation, amendments, and passage on second and third reading before they adjourn for the December break.

In the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules, through the Majority Leader, is empowered to declare a bill urgent, and to set the number of days or hours to be allotted for the consideration of the bill in plenary, and when vote on the bill shall be taken.

To start the process, we demand that Rep. Evardone gives justice to the 17 members of the House who voted to approve the committee report last November 27, by submitting it to plenary today (Monday, December 3). The House leadership must then include the FOI bill in the Order of Business beginning this week.

On the part of the Executive, President Aquino can certify to the necessity of its immediate enactment, as he did with the Sin Tax Bill. This will place the FOI bill on par with the highest priority measures of Congress, and save it the delay from the interval of days needed in passing bills on second and third readings.

We take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the FOI champions who succeeded in having the committee report approved by the House committee, despite the odds. Principally, we recognize the leadership of Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada and the crucial interventions by Akbayan Reps. Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, CIBAC Reps. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales and Sherwin Tugna, and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

We also express our heartfelt gratitude for the other regular, deputized and ex-officio members of the Committee on Public Information who answered the call for an affirmative vote on the FOI consolidated bill. They are Cebu 1st District Rep. Rachel Marguerite del Mar, Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Kabataan Rep Raymond Palatino, AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin, Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano, DIWA Rep. Emmeline Aglipay, Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, An Waray Rep. Neil Benedict Montejo, and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo.

In plenary, we appeal to the proponents of the Right of Reply provision to allow the passage of the FOI. We urge them to pursue their Right of Reply advocacy independent of the FOI bill’s passage. Constitutional and public policy issues remain unresolved around the Right of Reply, which should be fully deliberated in the separate measures also filed with Rep. Evardone’s committee, with all the stakeholders consulted extensively.

We will support reasonable amendments to the FOI bill, like the provision on safeguard against abuse proposed by Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy. We will likewise support an amendment that will address the concern of the Department of National Defense over the time gap between the repeal of the existing information classification guidelines and the promulgation of the new classification guidelines as provided under the bill.

Beyond this, all that remains for the 15th Congress is the fulfillment of a solemn promise to the people to pass the long-overdue Freedom of Information Act.

Signatories:

1. Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan, Co-Director, Institute for Freedom of Information and Co-Convenor, Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition

2. Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD, Chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA)

3.Ms. Malou Mangahas, Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

4.Mr. Peter Angelo V. Perfecto, Executive Director, Makati Business Club

5.Ms. Annie Geron, General Secretary, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)

6.Prof. Luis Teodoro, Deputy Director, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility

7.Mr. Josua Mata, Secretary General, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)

8.Ms. Yuen Abana, Campaign Coordinator, Partido ng Manggagawa

9. Ms. Clarissa V. Militante
Coordinator, Focus on the Global South, Philippines Programme

10. Mr. Jun Aguilar nd Mr. Elso Cabangon, Filipino Migrant Workers Group

11. Mr. Max M. De Mesa, Chairperson, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

12.Mr. Ramon R. Tuazon, President
Dr. ?Florangel Rosario-Braid, President Emeritus & Senior Adviser?
Ms. Madeline B. Quiamco, Dean
Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication

13. Atty. Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, Executive Director, Libertás

14.Mr. Alwyn Alburo, Vice Chairman and Ms. Rowena Paraan, Secretary-General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

15.Prof. Leonor M. Briones, Lead Covenor, Social Watch Philippines

16.Ms. Maxine Tanya Hamada, Executive Director, International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov)

17. Mr. Ariel Sebellino,Executive Director, Philippine Press Institute

18.Dr. Edna A. Co, Professor, University of the Philippines Diliman

19.Mr. Norman Cabrera, Secretary General, Ang Kapatiran Party
Mr. John Carlos G. de los Reyes, Candidate for Senator (2013)
Mr. Rizalito Y. David, Candidate for Senator (2013)
Atty. Marwil Llasos, Candidate for Senator (2013)
Mr. Carlos Cabochan, Candidate for Representative, 2nd District of Caloocan City (2013)
Mr. Harry Tambuatco, Candidate for Representative, Lone district of Muntinlupa city (2013)
Mr. Edilberto M. Cuenca, Candidate for Representative, 1st District of Makati City (2013)
Mr. Frank Reyes, Candidate for Representative, Lone District of Mandaluyong City (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party

20.Atty Eirene Jhone Aguila, FOI and New Politics Advocate

21.Ms. Joy Aceron, Program Director, Government Watch/ PODER, Ateneo School of Government

22.Mr. Sixto Donato C. Macasaet, Executive Director, Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO)

23. Ms. Jenina Joy Chavez, Southeast Asia Monitor for Action

24. Mr. Vincent Lazatin, Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network

25. Dr. Segundo Romero, Program Director, Ateneo School of Government

26.Mr. Ricardo Reyes, President, Freedom from Debt Coalition

27. Dr. Joseph Anthony Lim, Professor, Economics Department, Ateneo De Manila University

28. Dr. J. Prospero de Vera, Professor, UPNCPAG, and Executive Director, Pimentel Institute for Leadership and Governance

29. Mr. Bong Fabe, Freelance journalist

30.Atty. Risa Halagueña, Fellow, Action for Economic Reforms

31.Sr. Cres Lucero, SFIC, Co-Chairperson and Mr. Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

32.Atty. Corazon Valdez Fabros, Lead Convenor, Stop the War Coalition Philippines

33.Ms. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, National Coordinator
Ms. Mercy Fabros, Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator
Ms. May-i Fabros, Coordinator of Young Women Collective
Ms. Rosheic Sims, Assistant Coordinator of Young Women Collective
WomanHealth Philippines

34. Mr. Rolando Ocampo, Spokesperson, Prudentialife Warriors/Movement for Change and Good Governance

35.Ms. Cielo Magno, Coordinator, Bantay Kita

36.Mr.Red Batario, Executive Director, Ms. G. Sevilla Alvarez, Program Director, Center for Community Journalism and Development

37. Mr. Isagani R. Serrano, President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement

38. Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio, Director, University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies.

39. Ms. Jessica Reyes-Cantos, Lead Convenor, Rice Watch and Action Network

40. Ms. Ellene Sana, Executive Director, Center for Migrant Advocacy

41. Mr. Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM)

42. Mr. Jong Pacanot, Secretary General, Freedom from Debt Coalition – Southern Mindanao

43. Ms. Evita L. Jimenez, Executive Director, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG)

44. Ms. Andrea Maria Patricia Sarenas, Chairperson, Mindanao Coalition of Development NGO Networks (MINCODE)

45.Fr. Albert E. Alejo, SJ, Ehem Anticorruption Program

46.Mr. Jason Alacapa, Chairperson, University Student Council (UPM USC), UP Manila

47. Ms. Jean Enriquez, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific

48. Dr. Nymia Pimentel Simbulan, Executive Director, PhilRights

49. Atty. Ray Paolo J. Santiago, Executive Director, Ateneo Human Rights Center

50. Ms. Zenaida S. Mique, Executive Director, Claimants 1081

51. Sr. Nelda L. Balaba, OND, Program Coordinator, Justice and Peace Desk – Social Action Center, Diocese of Marbel

52. Ms. Marjorie Anne Yoro, Suprema, UP Kabataang Pilosopo Tasyo (KaPiTas), UP Diliman

53. Ms. Moses Albiento, Chairperson, Alliance of Student Leaders (ASL), Ateneo de Manila University

54. Mr. Joseph Angelo Gutierrez, Chairperson, Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP), UP Los Baños

55. Mr. Tristan Daine Zinampan, Chairperson, Linking Everyone Towards Service CDC (LETS CDC), College of Development Communication, UP Los Baños

56. Ms. Mary Ann Fuertes, Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (Davao City)

57. Atty. Arvin A. Jo, Focal Person, The Access Initiative – Philippines

58. Ms. April Lamentillo, Supremo, Sandigan ng mga Iskolar para sa Nagkakaisang CAS (SINAG CAS), College of Arts and Sciences, UP Los Baños

59. Mr. Curt Russel Lopez Delfin, President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students (MACS)

60. Mr. John Mark Salvador, President, Bagong Benilde, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

61. Mr. Van Battad, President, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), UP Diliman

62. Ms. Luisa Lioanag, Bos Tsip-Tsip, UP Bukluran sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Buklod-Isip), UP Diliman

63. Ms. Starjoan Villanueva, Executive Director, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao

64. Mr. Joseph Purugganan, Coordinator, EU-ASEAN FTA Network

65.Ms. Patricza Torio, Tagapangulo, UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (LIKAS), UP Diliman

66. Ms. Marian Bahalla, Chairperson, Laban COC Party, College of Communication, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

67. Mr. Arjay Mercado, President, UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), UP Diliman

68. Mr. Joshua Layog, Primer, Katipunan CHE, College of Human Ecology, UP Los Baños

69. Ms. Ema Escanilla, Speaker, UP People-Oriented Leadership in the Interest of Community Awareness (UP POLITICA), UP Diliman

70. Mr. Edward Dayog, President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), UP Diliman

71. Mr. JC Tejano, National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – UP System (BUKLURAN – UP SYSTEM)

72. Ms. Ara Tan, President, UP Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), UP Diliman

73. Mr. Ace Ligsay, Chairperson, UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA), UP Diliman

74. Mr. Mickey Eva, President, Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition)

75. Mr. Carlo Brolagda, Chairperson and Mr. Chris Alquizalas, Councilor, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), UP Diliman / Convenors, FOI Youth Initiative (FYI)

76. Mr. Joshua Young, Chairperson, Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago – UPM (BIGKIS-UPM), UP Manila

77. Mr. Viko Fumar, President, BUKLOD CSSP, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman

78. Julliano Fernando A. Guiang, Councilor, University Student Council, UP Diliman, and Convenor, Disclose All Records (DARe) Movement

79. Mr. Deg Daupan, President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), UP Baguio

80. Mr. Walter Tamayo, History Department Representative, AngKAS (CSSP History Department Core Group), UP Diliman

81. Mr. Gio Alejo, President, Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Manila University

82. Mr. Jose Valencia, President, KASAPI Kaisahan ng Migranteng Manggagawa sa Gresya

83.Mr. Lejun Dela Cruz, Acting Chairperson, Alab Katipunan

84. Aurora A. Regalado, Managing Trustee, Management and Organizational Development for Empowerment (MODE)

85.Mr. Renato Dela Cruz, President, Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA)

86. Mr. Walter Balane, President, Bukidnon Press Club

87. Ms. Sylvia Paraguya, Chief Executive, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO)

88. Mr. Pete Pinlac, Chairperson, Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya

89. Mr. Pablo Rosales, Chairperson, Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda

90. Mr. Boy Alban, Chairperson, League of Urban Poor for Action

91. Mr. Jun Pascual, Acting Chairperson, Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid

92. Ms. Edeliza Hernandez, Executive Director, Medical Action Group

93. Dr. Renato G. Mabunga,Chairperson, Human Rights Defenders – Pilipinas

94. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Coordinating Committee Member, Faith-based Congress Against Immoral Debts

95. Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB, Co-chairperson, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines

96. Mr. Acmad Maruhom-Macatimbol, Executive Director, Lanao Alliance of Human Rights Advocates

97. Ms. Jennifer Julia Lacaba, President, Animal Concerns and Awareness Club (AC2), University of the Philippines – Visayas Tacloban College

98. Mr. Xander Losaria, Secretary General, SENTRO – La Salle, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

99. Mr. Wilson Fortaleza, Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay

100. Prof. Flordeliz L. Abanto, Broadcast Journalism Coordinator, St. Scholastica’s College, Manila

101.Prof. Nelson J. Celis, AES (Automated Election System) Watch

102.Prof. Angelina E. Borican, Journalism Professor, College of Communications, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Where is FOI committee report? Evardone on dribble mode again

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IT PASSED last Tuesday, Nov. 27, with 17 lawmakers voting for, and only three others against, at a hearing of the Committee on Public Information of the House of Representatives.

Three days ago, in fact, the committee report on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill had been approved, raising expectations that it would soon move to plenary debates.

But committee chairman Rep. Ben Evardone seems hell-bent on taking his own sweet time to delay sending the committee report to the House plenary.

The committee had voted to approve the consolidated FOI bill as the report of the Committee on Public Information on the 16 FOI bills that had been referred to it earlier.

Under the House Committee’s Internal Rules of Procedure, the next step that Evardone should have taken is to ask the majority of the committee members to sign the committee report, and transmit it together with other supporting documents to the Committee on Rules in the required number of copies.

Alas, that has not happened. Evardone has not moved at all to make that happen.

Instead, he has scheduled another committee hearing on Dec. 11, so the committee members may supposedly sign the committee report that they had actually approved on Nov. 27.

By standard practice of Congress, committee chairpersons only has to pass around committee reports for signing by committee members, without need to call another committee meeting.

But Evardone seems inclined to dribble the FOI bill yet again.

(Only nine session days remain, however, before Congress takes its Christmas break on Dec. 22.)

This was what Atty. Nepo Malaluan, co-convenor of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, found out when inquired on Thursday, Nov. 28, with the Committee Secretary on the progress of the FOI committee report.

“We were informed that the chairman, Rep. Ben Evardone, will have to call another committee meeting to approve the committee report!” Malaluan said.

“Rep. Evardone must respect and do justice to the mandate of the 17 lawmakers who voted for the bill,” Malaluan said. “We appeal to him to perform his duty to immediately transmit the report to the Committee on Rules.”

In a statement on Thursday, the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition urged Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and leaders of Congress to move with dispatch and assure the passage of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress.

About 160 organizations of students, workers, government workers, professionals, church groups, businessmen, and media and civil society groups compose the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition of FOI advocates.

“With the FOI bill out of committee in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it is now squarely at the front of the country’s highest leaders, in Congress and the Executive,” the Coalition said.

“Given the lack of time, the FOI bill remains as good as dead in the 15th Congress, unless the Senate and House leadership, together with President Aquino, accord its passage the urgency it deserves,” the Coalition added.

Aquino, the Coalition said, “can certify to the necessity of its immediate enactment, thereby placing it on par with the highest priority measures of Congress, and saving it the delay from the interval of days needed in passing bills on second and third readings.”

“In the Senate, the Senate President, the House Committee on Public Information Chairman, and the Senators only need to make good their earlier commitments to pass the FOI bill,” it added. “They must find time to proceed with interpellation, amendments, and passage on second and third reading before it adjourns for the December break.”

“In the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules, through the Majority Leader, is empowered to declare a bill urgent, and to set the number of days or hours to be allotted for the consideration of the bill in plenary, and when vote on the bill shall be taken,” the Coalition said.

It urged the House leaders to “start the process… calendar the sponsorship of the Committee report by next week.

“In sum,” according to the Coalition, “the resurrection and passage of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress is a matter of leadership, commitment, good faith, and political will.”

The Coalition cited “the leadership of Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada and the crucial interventions by Akbayan Reps. Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, CIBAC Reps. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales and Sherwin Tugna, and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño” for the approval of the FOI bill by the House committee on public information on Nov. 27.

In addition, the Coalition expressed “heartfelt gratitude for the other regular, deputized and ex-officio members of the committee, notably Cebu 1st District Rep Rachel Marguerite del Mar, Bagong Henerasyon Rep Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Kabataan Rep Raymond Palatino, AAMBIS-OWA Rep Sharon Garin, Basilan Rep Jim Hataman-Salliman, Isabela Rep Rodolfo Albano, DIWA Rep Emmeline Aglipay, Ako Bicol Rep Rodel Batocabe, An Waray Rep Neil Benedict Montejo, and Pasig City Rep Roman Romulo.”

All that remains for the 15th Congress is the fulfillment, or another betrayal, of a solemn promise to the people to pass the long-overdue Freedom of Information Act,” the Coalition said.

Where is FOI committee report? Evardone on dribble mode again

mcmangahas Leave a comment

IT PASSED last Tuesday, Nov. 27, with 17 lawmakers voting, and only three other against, during a hearing of the Committee on Public Information of the House of Representatives.

Three days ago, in fact, the committee report on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill had been approved, raising expectations that it would soon move to plenary debates.

But committee chairman, Rep. Ben Evardone, seems hell-bent on taking his own sweet time to delay sending the committee report to the House plenary.

The committee had voted to approve the consolidated FOI bill as the report of the Committee on Public Information on the 16 FOI bills that had been referred to it earlier.

Under the House Committee’s Internal Rules of Procedure, the next step that Evardone should have taken is to ask the majority of the committee members to sign the committee report, and transmit it together with other supporting documents to the Committee on Rules in the required number of copies.

Alas, that has not happened. Actually, Evardone has not moved to make that happen.

Instead, he has scheduled another committee hearing on Dec. 11, so they may supposedly sign the committee report that they had approved on Nov. 27.

By standard practice of Congress, committee chairpersons only pass around committee reports for signing by committee members, without need to call another committee meeting.

But Evardone seems inclined to dribble the FOI bill yet again. Only nine session days remain, however, before Congress takes its Christmas break on Dec. 22.

This was what Atty. Nepo Malaluan, co-convenor of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition, found out when inquired on Thursday, Nov. 28, with the Committee Secretary on the progress of the FOI committee report.

“We were informed that the chairman, Rep. Ben Evardone, will have to call another committee meeting to approve the committee report!” Malaluan said.

“Rep. Evardone must respect and do justice to the mandate of the 17 lawmakers who voted for the bill,” Malaluan said. “We appeal to him to perform his duty to immediately transmit the report to the Committee on Rules.”

In a statement on Thursday, the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition urged Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and leaders of Congress to move with dispatch and assure the passage of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress.

About 160 organizations of students, workers, government workers, professionals, church groups, businessmen, and media and civil society groups compose the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition of FOI advocates.

“With the FOI bill out of committee in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it is now squarely at the front of the country’s highest leaders, in Congress and the Executive,” the Coalition said.

“Given the lack of time, the FOI bill remains as good as dead in the 15th Congress, unless the Senate and House leadership, together with President Aquino, accord its passage the urgency it deserves,” the Coalition added.

Aquino, the Coalition said, “can certify to the necessity of its immediate enactment, thereby placing it on par with the highest priority measures of Congress, and saving it the delay from the interval of days needed in passing bills on second and third readings.”

“In the Senate, the Senate President, the House Committee on Public Information Chairman, and the Senators only need to make good their earlier commitments to pass the FOI bill,” it added. “They must find time to proceed with interpellation, amendments, and passage on second and third reading before it adjourns for the December break.”

“In the House of Representatives, the Committee on Rules, through the Majority Leader, is empowered to declare a bill urgent, and to set the number of days or hours to be allotted for the consideration of the bill in plenary, and when vote on the bill shall be taken,” the Coalition said.

It urged the House leaders to “start the process… calendar the sponsorship of the Committee report by next week.

“In sum,” according to the Coalition, “the resurrection and passage of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress is a matter of leadership, commitment, good faith, and political will.”

The Coalition cited “the leadership of Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada and the crucial interventions by Akbayan Reps. Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, CIBAC Reps. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales and Sherwin Tugna, and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño” for the approval of the FOI bill by the House committee on public information on Nov. 27.

In addition, the Coalition expressed “heartfelt gratitude for the other regular, deputized and ex-officio members of the committee, notably Cebu 1st District Rep Rachel Marguerite del Mar, Bagong Henerasyon Rep Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Kabataan Rep Raymond Palatino, AAMBIS-OWA Rep Sharon Garin, Basilan Rep Jim Hataman-Salliman, Isabela Rep Rodolfo Albano, DIWA Rep Emmeline Aglipay, Ako Bicol Rep Rodel Batocabe, An Waray Rep Neil Benedict Montejo, and Pasig City Rep Roman Romulo.”

All that remains for the 15th Congress is the fulfillment, or another betrayal, of a solemn promise to the people to pass the long-overdue Freedom of Information Act,” the Coalition said.

BIR files P28-M tax evasion case vs lawyer in Ampatuan assets sale

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THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue on Thursday filed a P28-million tax evasion complaint against a lawyer of Andal Ampatuan Jr., a principal accused in the Maguindanao Massacre case.

Last week, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, in a report by Multimedia Director Ed Lingao, exposed that Atty. Arnel C. Manaloto had acquired eight big real properties of Andal Jr. in Davao City, in May 2011.

Certified true copies of the transfer certificate titles on the properties obtained by the PCIJ showed that Manaloto purchased the properties for only P20 million.

The P27.56-million tax evasion case against Manaloto — for taxes due, interest, surcharges, and value-added tax liability — for the year 2011 was apparently triggered by a two-part PCIJ investigative report on the wealth, and lingering hold on political and economic power, of the Ampatuan clan, three years after the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre.

The PCIJ’s Ed Lingao also produced a documantary, Lipat-Bahay, on the wealth of the Ampatuans, which aired last week on GMANewsTV.

The Ampatuan patriarch and scions are principal respondents in the Maguindanao Massacre case now pending before a Quezon City court. Fifty-eight people, including 32 media workers, died in the carnage, the worst case of election-related violence in Philippine history.

Three years hence, at least 72 candidates with Ampatuan for surname and middle name are running in the May 2013 elections. Among them are nine candidates under President Benigno Aquino’s Liberal Party, and 34 others under the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice Presiodent Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

At a press conference on Thursday, Commissioner Kim Henares of the Bureau of Internal Revenue said Manaloto failed to supply correct and accurate information in his income tax return, and failed to pay value-added tax for the year 2011.

A resident of Angeles City in Pampanga, Manaloto passed the bar only in 2005. He served briefly on the legal staff of former Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio.

Apart from Manaloto, the BIR also charged Erwin Carreon, a certified public accountant who examined and audited the books of accounts and other accounting records of Manaloto for 2011.

Henares said the BIR’s investigation showed that in 2011, the year Manaloto bought Andal Jr.’s properties, Manaloto declared a total income of only P1.495 million.

This evident underdeclaration of income was a “deliberate ploy to avoid having to register as a VAT taxpayer,” Henares said.

The BIR’s investigation also showed that Manaloto earned P37.97 million in revenues in 2011, but was not a registered VAT taxpayer, and did not pay VAT on his revenues.

FOI Youth Initiative: Clamor for FOI strong in campuses across nation

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MORE and bigger youth and student organizations in campuses across the nation added their voices yesterday to the popular clamor for the swift passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the 15th Congress.

Amid a small victory of sorts with the bill’s approval on Tuesday by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Information, the manifesto should serve lawmakers who will shortly tackle the bill in plenary fair warning: Better not disappoint the youth.

The FOI Youth Initiative (FYI), a network of youth and student organizations pushing for transparency and accountability in government, expressed solidarity with various people’s organizations “in the clamor for more solid mechanisms in ensuring governance that is open and honest to the people.”

FYI cited the value of an FOI law as “a measure that shall curb corruption and advance participatory governance,” even as it urged the Aquino government to “strongly push for its enactment, in fulfillment of its promise of change.”

The signatories from 59 youth and student organizations across the Philippines exhorted “our fellow young leaders to join us in ensuring the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill into law to strengthen democracy and to transform our government into a genuine instrument of social justice and social progress.”

The manifesto was signed by:

Carlo Brolagda, Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Viko Fumar, President, BUKLOD CSSP, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines – Diliman

Joseph Angelo Gutierrez, Chairperson, Movement of Students for Progressive Leadership in UP (MOVE UP), University of the Philippines – Los Baños

Ace Ligsay, Chairperson, UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA), University of the Philippines – Diliman

JC Tejano, National Chairperson, Bukluran ng mga Progresibong Iskolar – UP System (BUKLURAN – UP SYSTEM), University of the Philippines System

Tristan Daine Zinampan, Chairperson, Linking Everyone Towards Service CDC (LETS CDC), College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines – Los Baños

Joshua Lorenzo Layog, Primer, Katipunan CHE, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines – Los Baños

April Lamentillo, Supremo, Sandigan ng mga Iskolar para sa Nagkakaisang CAS (SINAG CAS), College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines – Los Baños

Deg Daupan, President, Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral (AKMA), University of the Philippines – Baguio

Joshua Young, Chairperson, Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago – UPM (BIGKIS-UPM), University of the Philippines – Manila

Edward Dayog, President, UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Mickey Eva, President, Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition)

John Mark Salvador, President, Bagong Benilde, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Curt Russel Lopez Delfin, President, Metro Manila Alliance of Communication Students (MACS)

Marlon Cornelio, National Chaiperson, Akbayan Youth

Melba Tampakan, National Chairperson, Alliance of Progressive Labor – Youth (APL Youth)

Marian Bahalla, Chairperson, Laban COC Party, College of Communication, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Arjay Mercado, President, UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Gio Alejo, President, Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Manila University

Moses Albiento, Chairperson, Alliance of Student Leaders (ASL), Ateneo de Manila University

Benedict Nisperos, President, Law Student Government (LSG), College of Law, University of the Philippines – Diliman

Walter Tamayo, History Department Representative, AngKAS (CSSP History Department Core Group), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Ernest Calayag, Secretary General, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP)

Nico Ibaviosa, President, UP Alliance for Responsive Involvement and Student Empowerment (ARISE), College of Engineering, University of the Philippines – Diliman

Gibby Gorres, Executive Director, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN)

Ara Tan, President, UP Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (KMS), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Serge Aclan, Chairperson, College of Allied Medical Professions Student Council (CAMPSC), University of the Philippines – Manila

Jason Alacapa, Chairperson, University Student Council (UPM USC), University of the Philippines – Manila

Marjorie Anne Yoro, Suprema, UP Kabataang Pilosopo Tasyo (KaPiTas), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Karla Mae de Leon, Suprema, UP Kalipunan para sa Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiyang Pilipino (UP KAPPP), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Luisa Lioanag, Bos Tsip-Tsip, UP Bukluran sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Buklod-Isip), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Patricza Torio, Tagapangulo, UP Lipunang Pangkasaysayan (LIKAS), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Paulina Miranda, Chairperson, College of Education Student Council (CESC), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Joni Dumasig, President, Union of Progressive Students (UPS), University of the Philippines – Cebu

Fred Omalza, President, People United to Lead, Obey, and Serve (PULOS), University of the Philippines – Mindanao

Adrian Martinez, National President, Kabataang Liberal

Ema Escanilla, Speaker, UP People-Oriented Leadership in the Interest of Community Awareness (UP POLITICA), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Van Battad, President, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Heart Diño, Chairperson, University Student Council (UPD USC), University of the Philippines – Diliman

Robin Charles Ramos, President, Cor Jesu Association of Graduate Students (CJAGS), Cor Jesu College, Digos City, Davao del Sur

Juan Paulo Oreta Rodriguez, Executive Board / Federation Chairman, Barkadahang San Joseño, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan

Leo Christian Lauzon, Chairperson, Youth Against Debt (YAD) Eastern Visayas

Jennifer Julia Lacaba, President, Animal Concerns and Awareness Club (AC2), University of the Philippines – Visayas Tacloban College

Princess Kimberly Ubay-ubay, President, School of Business and Management Student Council (SBMSC), Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro City

Frezalva Vir Burce, Program Coordinator / Child Protection Officer, Children International – Child Sponsorship for Community Development Inc. (CSCDI), Tabaco City, Albay

Xavier Peredo, Party President, REPUBLICA Socio-Political Party (UA&P REPUBLICA), University of Asia and the Pacific

Roy Dahildahil, Chairperson, Partido sang Mainuswagon nga Bumulutho (PMB), University of the Philippines – Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo

Glosuvel Requina, President, Council of Maritime Leaders (CML), University of Cebu – Maritime Education and Training Center, Cebu City

Cedrick Sagun, President, UST Political Science Forum (UST-TPSF), University of Santo Tomas – Manila

Dawn Po Quimque, President, College of Communication Student Council (COC-SC), Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Jonah Elaine Abubakar, President, School of Business and Management (SBM) – Business Economics Society (BES), Universidad de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City

Michael Villamor, President, Supreme Student Government – Northern Cebu Colleges, Bogo City, Cebu

Danise Talaba, President, Team Communication (TeamComm), De La Salle University – Manila

Xander Losaria, OIC / Secretary General, SENTRO – La Salle, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

Jem Francelle Sanico, Chairperson, Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Alternatibong Reporma at Pagbabago (SAMAR Party), University of Eastern Philippines, Northern Samar

Charisse Marie Catama, Student Regent, University of Eastern Philippines, Northern Samar

Marlon Padua, Vice President for Non-Academics, STI Student Council, STI College – Southwoods, Carmona, Cavite

Anne Lorraine Garcia, Most Idyllic Sister, UP Sigma Beta Sorority, University of the Philippines – Diliman

Jana Cabuhat, President, University Student Government (DLSU USG), De La Salle University – Manila