Category: Media

The FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) bill would not fade away at all, even as it actually dies today in the 15th Congress through sheer inaction and deliberate delays by President Aquino and his Liberal Party allies in the House of Representatives.

Netizens of the country have kept the spirit of the FOI bill alive in hundreds of tweets and comments they have posted in the last five days alone. The PCIJ gathered a bountiful harvest of these comments from various news media websites and Twitter accounts.

The tweets came from accounts bearing the hashtags #SaveFOI, #PassFOI, #CertifyFOI, #FOInow, #FOI, and @PcijDotOrg. The comments and feeback, on the other hand, are a string of those posted in response to FOI stories posted on GMANews Online. inquirer.net, abs-cbnnews.com, and philstar.com in the last week.

To a majority, including pop-culture icon Noel Cabangon, reportedly a favorite artist of Aquino, the failure of the 15th Congress to pass the FOI bill was either disappointing or reprehensible or revolting.

“Dear Congress, don’t be murderers. Don’t kill our right to information, don’t kill our hopes for a transparent government,” Cabangon twitted. “We want a transparent and acceptable government. We want leaders we can trust.”

A citizen seconded the idea.”And daang matuwid babaluktot pa rin kung walang FOI,” wrote Rommel S. Agan.

Another who watched a report on the FOI bill that aired on the program Reporter’s Notebook, drew a sharp contrast between the non-passage of the FOI bill and the quick action that Congress took to declare the waling-waling a national flower of the Philippines. Nick twitted: “Buti pa yung batas sa waling-waling umabot sa pagtatapos ng 15th Congress. And FOI bill sinukuan na lang:(”

Citizen FernandoBusi said the FOI bill’s aborted passage should be an issue in the next elections this May.”No FoI, NO LP (Liberal Party) in 2013.”

Online and in the minds of Filipino Netizens, the FOI lives on.

Tweets on the Campaign for the FOI Bill’s Passage, posted on #SaveFOI, #PassFOI, #CertifyFOI, #FOI, @ReportersNBGMA7, and @PcijDotOrg:

. Noel Cabangon ??@noelcabangon? ?Dear Congress, don’t be murderers. Don’t kill our right to information, don’t kill our hopes for a transparent government. ?#PassFOI!??

. Nepo Malaluan ??@NepoMalaluan? ?“?@FOIAnet: Cambodian Parliament Rejects Proposed FOI Bill ?http://bit.ly/TlqZ83 ” like PNoy/Belmonte/Gonzales (wait, all LP?) House ?#PassFOI??

. Noem Lardizabal-Dado ??@momblogger? ??#FOInow RT ?@dakila_ph: ?#PassFOI because we want Congress to see that we want to know where our taxes go! Last week of session!??

. Noel Cabangon ??@noelcabangon? ?Let’s bring back transparency and accountability in our government. ?#PassFOI!??

. Jane Uymatiao ??@philippinebeat? ?Are you for real transparency and good governance, dear pols? Then ?#PassFOI now.?

. Noel Cabangon ??@noelcabangon? ?We want a transparent and acceptable government. We want leaders we can trust. ?#PassFOI??

. Nepo Malaluan ??@NepoMalaluan? ??@GMANewsOnline ?@gmanews thanks sec. de lima; welcome statement from a senior executive official, when all peers keep mum on ?#PassFOI??

. Ederic Eder ??@ederic? ?Dear ?@noynoyaquino, you promised that you will make FOI bill your administration’s priority:

. Otep Dela Cruz ??@psychskythe? ??@ReportersNBGMA7 ?@jiggymanicad Lam natin na malaki ang maitutulong ng ?#FOI sa atin subalit sana maging patas din ito?

. K ??@iamMissKristine? ??@ReportersNBGMA7 ?@gmanews They wouldn’t make a law that will kill them. ?#alamna?

. Nick ??@veronicaguingon? ?Buti pa yung batas tungkol sa waling-waling, umabot sa pagtatapos ng 15th Congress. Ang ?#FOIbill sinukuan na lang.

. Draphny Olasiman ??@draaaaaaaaph? ?Malaki ang maitutulong ng ?#FOI sa atin mga pilipino.

. Reporters Notebook ??@ReportersNBGMA7? ?.?@jiggymanicad: Ang mahahalagang dokumento ay mananatiling nakakubli sa paningin ng mga mamamayan dahil sa kawalan ng batas ukol sa ?#FOI.??

. ??Enzo Laróza-Siadór ??@lorenzolaroza? ??@ReportersNBGMA7 kasi natatakot ang mga kongresista at senador na mahalungkat ang mga tinatago nila. ?#FOIBill?

. Nick ??@veronicaguingon? ?Parating walang quorum kaya hindi mapagdebatehan ng mga kongresista ang ?#FOIbill. Sweldo niyo galing sa bayan, mga sir. ?#ReportersNotebook?

. Reporters Notebook ??@ReportersNBGMA7? ?Maaaring gawin sa isang araw ang 2nd, 3rd, at final reading ng ?#FOI kung sesertipikahan ng Pangulo na ‘urgent’ ang bill.

Ishan Ibañez ??@iShantotssss? ??@reportersnbgma7 dahil siguro takot silang mabunyag ang mga tinatago nilang kayamanan.?

. Cesar ??@Cesar4w? ?The ‘tuwid na daan’ can never be realized without a FOI law! ?#FOInow ?#SaveFOI?

. DAKILA Philippines ??@dakila_ph? ?This is the last week of session in Congress. Dear representatives, we want you to ?#PassFOI! Stop delaying what the people need.?

. Pochoy Labog ??@pochoylabog? ?Information is power. Power to the people. ?#PassFOI now
. Pochoy Labog ??@pochoylabog? ?Huy! Congress! ?#PassFOI now!??

. Jane Uymatiao ??@philippinebeat? ?How many more Congresses before you ?#PassFOI? If you say you are for transparency, then walk your talk

. DAKILA Philippines ??@dakila_ph? ?Congress, did you pass the Cybercrime Law and are you delaying the FOI bill because you want information all for yourselves? ?#PassFOI

. Eirene Jhone Aguila ??@EiEagle? ??@Teddy_Baguilat salamat sa pagiging isa sa mga boses ng taumbayan! ?#PassFOI?

. creng nitafan ??@cr3ng? ?I want a transparent and accountable government. ?#PassFOI ??

. Percy Reyes ??@percypreyes? ?PIGS=>Politicians Insatiably Gorging Slop (Power, Public Funds, Dirty Money, Graft, Corruption, Influence Peddling) WON’T ?#PassFOI! Mabuhay!??Expand ??

. Percy Reyes ??@percypreyes? ?If our public servants understand, and have in their hearts the true essence of PUBLIC TRUST ?#PassFOI WITHOUT FEAR! Otherwise, STEAL/PLUNDER??

. jenina joy chavez ??@jeninajoy? ?A Dec2011 SWS survey shows that 63% of Filipinos believe access to info is a right vs 32% who say it’s a privilege ?#SaveFOI ?#PassFOI ?#FOInow?

. Otep Dela Cruz ??@psychskythe? ??@ReportersNBGMA7 ?@PCIJdotOrg mahirap po talaga… bka nmn dumating na ung panahon na wala na rin pumasok sa pulitika dahil sa sobrang sakal.?

. Reporters Notebook ??@ReportersNBGMA7? ?Karol Ilagan, ?@PCIJdotOrg: Medyo nahihirapan kaming kumuha ng dokumento kung paano ginastos ang public funds o tax payers money.??Expand ??

. Reporters Notebook ??@ReportersNBGMA7? ?Karol Ilagan, ?@PCIJdotOrg: Getting info is (not) easy even when there (is) more demand & supposed commitment to transparency in gov’t.

. Juan Tamad ??@Micljag? ??@PCIJdotOrg Is this the compromise that PNoy has to make,in order to pass the RH and Sin Tax Bill???

. Rommel S. Agan ??@rommelagan? ??@PCIJdotOrg Ang Daang Matuwid babaluktot pa din kung walang FOI.

. Edge Genciagan ??@edge_genciagan? ?Nice feat. on ?#FOIBill ?@ReportersNBGMA7 ?@jiggymanicad Sana may kasunod pa nito & maexpose ang insertions/exceptions ng Malacanang?

. EllemenopiQRSt ??@ellechanted? ??@ReportersNBGMA7 ofcourse ayaw nila nyan. Hahahahaha.. You know when it comes to knowing everything they do. ))?

. GABRIELA ??@gabrielaphils? ??@ReportersNBGMA7 Dahil mabibilad ang mga sweetheart deals sa Public Private Partnerships na puro pabor sa monopolyo?

. jenina joy chavez ??@jeninajoy? ?Proud of ?@youth4FOI for their determined push to ?#SaveFOI. Congratulations guys!

. Jeff Crisostomo ??@jeffcrisostomo? ?Three days left (Mon to Wed next week) before the House adjourns. Wala pa ring FOI Law. Retweet pag naiinip at naiinis ka na rin.

. jenina joy chavez ??@jeninajoy? ?If Reps really want to thresh out issues, why not debate? Can we not have candor even once? Can you just say NO so we know? ?#SaveFOI??

. jenina joy chavez ??@jeninajoy? ?Many bills on fast track, zoom sponsorship, open-close periods of interpellation & amendment…why ?#FOIbill suspended? ?#SaveFOI??

. alvin quintans ??@vinquintans? ?”..[T]he people cannot afford to be deprived of a freedom of information law” – ?#Akbayan ?#Lumalaban ?#SaveFOI??Expand ??

. alvin quintans ??@vinquintans? ?”?#FOI bill is our passport to joining the ranks of mature democracies” – ?@WaldenBello ?#SaveFOI ?#Akbayan ?#Lumalaban ?#Happy15th??Expand ??

. PCIJ ??@PCIJdotOrg? ?CBCP issues pastoral statement, demands priority for FOI, ?#SaveFOI, ?#CertifyFOI, ?#FOInow

. Nepo Malaluan ??@NepoMalaluan? ??@ANCALERTS ?@erintanada FOI advocates commend FOI champions for standing up for the FOI bill despite odds ?#SaveFOI?

. FOI Youth Initiative ??@Youth4FOI? ??#SaveFOI from lame excuses to delay its passage. Tama na ang ?#PALUSOT. Insulto ito sa mamamayan.?

. FOI Youth Initiative ??@Youth4FOI? ?From ?@inquirerdotnet: Poll season blamed for FOI bill delay. ?#PALUSOT na naman!

. Oscar Atadero ??@gaypinoy? ?Never believed Noynoy really wanted ?#FOIbill at all, and this just story confirms it

. YLL ? ??@chasten05? ?The hashtag now is not ?#FOInow but its ?#FOIwhen??? They’re not supportive of this bill.. *thugshing* better luck next congress!?

. CMFR ??@cmfr? ??#FOInow MT ?@nepomalaluan: ?@FOIAnet – Lack of Aquino Support Seen Dooming Philippines Freedom of Information Bill

. CMFR ??@cmfr? ?”Arroyo redux?” — ?@luisteodoro

. ??#FOInow RT ?@dakila_ph: ?#PassFOI because we want Congress to see that we want to know where our taxes go! Last week

. BlogWatch.Ph ??@blogwatchdotph? ?House throws in the towel on FOI; Aquino not certifying bill as urgent: via ?@thepocnews ?#FOInow

. Noem Lardizabal-Dado ??@momblogger? ?House throws in the towel on FOI; Aquino not certifying bill as urgent:

. Gibby Gorres ??@gibbygorres? ?It’s ironic that while the PH is hosting 5th intl conf against corruption, the ?#FOIbill is at a standstill at Congress. ?#FOI ?#FOInow

. inday espina varona ??@indayevarona? ?“?@ANCALERTS: Aquino says jailing Arroyo, ousting Corona not enough; cites need for structural reforms ?http://j.mp/119OnKm ” ( ?#FOInow, Sir!)?

. CMFR ??@cmfr? ?An FOI law will make citizens use & access info to evaluate elected officials – MDJ

. Noem Lardizabal-Dado ??@momblogger? ??#foinow RT @dakila_phl FOIbia (n.) an extreme or irrational fear of the freedom of information bill which may b caused by personal interests??

. Jane Uymatiao ??@philippinebeat? ?We citizens have our hands full these days watching ?#FOInow ?#NoToCybercrimeLaw ?#epalwatch ?#juanvote etc. Persevere. Wag magsawa!?

. Jane Uymatiao ??@philippinebeat? ?TAMA! ?#FOInow RT ?@ANCALERTS: . ?@erintanada to colleagues: At least attend and do not stop ?#FOIbill debates??Expand

. Kelvin C. Casamayor ??@KelvinCasamayor? ?Mabuti pa ang National Land Use Act certified as urgent, eh ang ?#FOIBill kaya? ?#CertifyFOI ?@Youth4FOI??Expand ??

Comments on various stories about the FOI bill, posted on Gmanews Online, inquirer.net, abs-cbnnews.com, and philstar.com, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5, 2013

. ]?JasonBieber ?The point of the FOI Bill is to foster good governance and provide transparency for government transactions. The fact that Aquino is choosing not to support this bill raises suspicion if he is really indeed against corruption. Having this bill is a strong tool against corruption. Not having it suggest that Aquino and his Administration has something to hide which is why he is not keen on it.??

. frudo ?nanyare NGANGA ??

. ?disqusted0fu ?There it is! The Aquino administration is really successful in getting what they want. They wanted the RH and Sin tax bills, they got it. They wanted the FOI bill to be delayed, they got it as well. Now the people will have a hard time being successful in exposing the crooked straight path government, the administration again got what they want.?

. ?Francis Allan ?Kasalanan ni Evardone yan. Pinatulog nya ng isang taon sa mesa ny

. ?Bobby ?FOI will open up cans of worms that include the hidden wealth of all Congressmen, hence they dont want any move to pass the FOI. Sino ba ang gugutuhin na magbigay ng partida na malaman ang mga pinagtaguan ng nakaw na yaman. Safety na nga, ipapaladlad pa? Ano bale? Ganyan ang utak ng mga swapang na mga kawatan sa Congress.??

. ?Felizardo ?Why is there lack of quorum when the FO1 BILL is to be deliberated? The constitution orders that the citizens must be advised of what is transpiring in events in government specially deed of both congress and the senate. Speaker Belmonte says lack of quorum will cause the bill’s failure to be passed.It seems that congress may be intent on depriving the citizens of ransparency in their work. Voters must remember those absentees.?

Rojo ?YES we agree to De Lima that her gov’t is always transparent. But what about the next ADMINISTRATION. Will they be the SAME???

. LegalJustice ?FOI Law is very important for transparency – why are you afraid of FOI Law ??Mr. “Ang Tuwid Na Daan” President ,?You better not take the filipino people trust for granted for they do fully understand that you don’t write your own speech that is why – when you read it doesn’t mean anything to you as if you are reading someone else speech.?So you better stop double talking and you need to walk the talk.?Don’t be like Mr. Renato Corona and JPE.?Make sure you take good care of your father name: Senator Benigno Aquino just a simple advice.?(Edited by author 4 days ago)??

READMENOW2011 ?PNOY AQUINO may have THE FOI bill signed into law when his term is about to end, last 2 congress sessions perhaps. This is to ensure that once it takes effect, he already finished his term and would not be liable for it. The law may be prospective and has no retroactive effects. ??

morejustice009 ?CORRUPTION MUST BE STOPPED, PASS THE FOI BILL., PROSECUTE THE CORRUPTORS. Wala kasing pakialam tong mga nasa pwesto., Dapat wag ng iboto ulit tong mga kontra sa FOI bill., alam kasi nila na mabubuko na ang mga ilegal at demonyong activities nila., ang magnakaw ng milyon or bilyon., saan patutungo ang kaunlaran para sa pilipinas at sa mga pilipino., Nagbabayad ng tamang buwis ang karaniwang mamamayan., tapos anong nangyayari, instead na mapunta sa kabutihan, at magamit sa tamang paraan., napupunta lang sa mga bank accounts nila., MAG-ISIP NA TAYONG LAHAT, SUGPUIN ANG CORRUPTION SA PINAS.?

Rose ?Medyo mabigat nga naman ang bill na to. Pwede nga siguro if we take it one step at a time. Start muna tau sa regulatory Audit sabi nga ni Senator Ed..??

doctorjulius ?That’s true Senator Angara. Hindi lang sa politics laganap ang corruption but pati sa mga private business din. Sana makagawa ng way ang govt para ma stop yung corruption sa govt and sa private sectors din.??

PabloEsscobar ?korek! di lang kasi sila exposed but sna nga magkaron din sila system para mahuli yung mga nandadaya sa private business?

free view ?ASA ka pa Sen Angara, can’t you see Pnoy does not want that FOI bill before elections. So why expect he would make an EO ??

. ?Ricky070 ?All talk but no quick action. Just pass the damn bill, damn it!?Where is the Catholic Church when you need them? ?Anyone out there please identify those people in congress who are against any sort of anti-corruption laws like FOI Bill and have their names published to be targeted in a shame campaign by the public???

. ?noonyan ?Passing the FOI from lower house to the senate is like GINIGISA SILA SA SARILI NILANG MANTIKA mga mandurugas eh makakapal ang mukha ng mga politiko sa Pilipinas …tapos si Angara pa ang naging chairman sa ASEAN GOPAC isa ring mandurugas wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! ?

. Arnel ?Bakit hindi gamitin ngayon ni Noynoy ang kanyang power of the Pork Barrel para ma ipasa ang bill na yan???? sa totoo lang epokrito si NOynoy dahil ang kanyang paglaban sa katiwalian ay para lamang sa kanyang mga kalaban at mga taong maydahilan sa pagkawala ng kanilang lupain sa hacienda luisita??

. ?lex ?Arnel para kang sirang kaserola ! Ang dami ng magagandang nangyari hanggang ngayon HL pa rin ang issue mo. Hanggang ngayon di ka pa rin nakaka MOVE ON??

. ?lex ?Arnel para kang sirang kaserola ! Ang dami ng nangyari na magaganda, hanggang ngayon HL pa rin ang issue mo.[redacted]?(Edited by a moderator)??

. ?Rojo ?FOI law is a must for all countries any alternative is just away to fool the people. FOI is the only way to go to fight corruption. The problem is House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III, the principal author of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill look like NABAYARAN na and he is not pushing it anymore, infact he’s the one trying to set the people’s mind that the FOI bill is already dead. Ganyan yang mga yan pag NABAYARAN na itinitigil na.??

. ?2¢ ?Angara made some valuable observations, but the President is not going to attempt to bypass Congress, that’s not how democracies work. Rather, it is important to encourage voters to vote for competent Congressmen – which means many or most of them need to be replaced at the ballot box! ??

. ?READMENOW2011 ?But at least something to begin with. If no FOI Law in 2013, then let us begin with this suggestion. ??

. Levi2012 ?I think this administration is not serious about corruption? It’s almost 3 years of Pnoy Administration served but still we cannot know where your principles stand? As you said; ” Tuwid na daan” but you are opposite? Why you afraid and you knew already the old system, kumbaga kalakaran na yan? Your administation told that you surpassed your Teacher Gloria Arroyo in Economics about the economy record, but why this administration always comparing the previous administration and we knew already that Gloria Administration is corrupted! FOI needs to pass law! Please no more excuses!??

. ?Dawn ?”We don’t have a need for a [freedom of information] law” like we don’t have a need for the senate.

. Concerned Citizen ?Why should people pay taxes if no one wants to be accountable for the taxes that the people pay to the government? ?

. ?Concerned Citizen ?Corruption is an acknowledged problem of Filipinos and there must be accountability for the hard earned money/taxes that people remits to the government. The government must be responsible enough to allow transparency as a means of prevention of a known problem in society.??

. kiddo914 ?It’s up to congress, she says, it will be debated, she says…I say it’s dead. Congress is yellow to the core. So no chance there. ??

. ?Arnel ?Takot ang malakanyang baka masilip din ang mga ginawang monkey business??

. ?Avery Solco ?What’s a big fat lie? The statement below:?”‘Ang EO kasi, while it remains an expression of policy, as far as the executive branch is concerned we have been implementing transparency measures since the President assumed office,’” ??

. ?Frederick Royce Perez ?This is pretty convincing -?…In saying that the current administration has already been implementing transparency measures without the bill, Valte cited the Budget Department’s zero-based budgeting in which it engaged government, non-government organizations and civil society groups in crafting the budget; the releases of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)—more commonly known as pork barrel funds—online; and the transfer of police and military pensions to an electronic system. …- but not as convincing as a document unedited by partisan hands .The FOI is superior to an administrative comment signifying success . A governments idea of a fact and a voters idea may be two very different things . Better to have the information and decide between statements and facts for yourself . This gives voters a hands on tool to either confront irregularities , anomalies , or have the facts and figures of any particular governmental involvement . ??

. ?Assassinister, After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done. ?Ang tagal naman sabihin niyo lang ang prinarioritize niyo ay Anti cybercrime bill para maprotektahan ang kapartido niyo sakali naipasa ang FOI bill.??

. JaePablo ?PNoy doesn’t like the FOI Bill, paano kasi yung sports car niyang binili daw na 2nd hand eh ginamit daw niya ang sariling pera… ?Common PNoy, sabi nga ni CJ Corona, yung SALN mo din daw, abnoy ang laman.??

. ?disqusted0fu ?Sorry Sec. De Lima, but you and your master are not on the same page on this. Your cries for the passing of this bill is unnecessary as you are again too late. Just like how your department was in acting against the Aman scam.?Everyone knows that the FOI becoming a law is crucial in implementing anti corruption programs, everyone but Pnoy, apparently. He was able to push the much controversial RH bill to become a law but he could not and did not do anything to FOI bill that would supposedly legitimize his anti corruption program and transparent government. The passiveness of Pnoy on this is an indication that his administration could be the opposite of what they say they are.??

. ?Your_King ?Well to address De Lima’s batting…it seems she may be still a bit peeved at Aquino for not being in the final running for the CJ but nonetheless she is one of Aquino’s main attack dogs. As for the FOI…if Aquino was really against corruption then he would be in total support of the FOI…however slowly but surely his fight against corruption is unraveling to show that it is really just masking his personal and political vendetta against GMA. He doesn’t want to help foster good governance through the FOI…he really just wants to attack GMA.??
?Bert ?De Leila is TOO LATE A HERO.?Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo…..??

. ?Ronnie Adriano ?Kahit si P.NOY puede ma-tempt at mabulok ng corrupt na sistema. As SAFEGUARD, pagtibayin FOI law, at gawing penalty sa mga lumabag sa FOI law ay death penalty. ??

. ?F alonso ?Matigil lang ang corruption pag ma abolish ang Pork Barrel.Matigil lang ang Corruption pag wala nang Corrupt na Senador at Congressman.Pero kung ang karamihan ay kanya kanyang gawa ng sariling version ng “YUNG MGA KAHOY” story,the corruption Culture will linger forever,AMEN.??

. Padre Damaso ?We need this bill now more than anything. If anyone of you wants to go to Batasan and lobby for this at the next session of hearing, count me in. ??
??
. ?rodben ?O baka yan ang bilin sa inyo ni Noy2 pagmay mediang nagtanong? ??

. ?rodben ?Kung kailan dead na daw FOI sabi ng Tongresman saka nagsalita si Madam Dilima na supporta daw sya, dati PO ba kyong Police patola? ??

. parengtony ?Sabi ni Pangulong Noynoy sa taong bayan, “Kayo ang Boss ko!” at “Daang Matuwid”. Pero bakit ayaw nyang suportahan ang FOI bill? ??

. ?muddygoose ?Kelangan mag-compromise para umusad ang ibang legislative agenda sa congress. Dami nang concessions to push the Sin Tax at RH Bill. Baka paglumakas lalu ang (totoong) supporters ng administrasyon after the 2013 elections, maipapasa ito.?I believe this is the only administration that has seriously considered making an FOI bill part its the legislative agenda. It will be passed, but at the right time and when the right people are in congress. So vote wisely.??

. ?Bert ?Kung may GUSTO, may PARAAN…?Kung AYAW, ang DAMING DAHILAN…..?Palusot ka pa…..?

. ?muddygoose ?Bat ako magpapalusot? Nasa congresso ba ako? Ikaw anong nagawa mo para tumulong, para magkaroon ng makabuluhang diskurso? Wala. Para sa iyo basta umupo paborito mong pulitiko ayos na diba???

. superpilipinas ?You believe wrong. Why did they prioritize RH in the first place? Wrong priority. poor administration.?”Seriously considering” is good for nothing. If he wanted it, PNoy could have certified FOI as urgent last year.?You don’t get it.?The clowns are taking advantage of believers like you. Next time, they will introduce Divorce bill to again sideline FOI unitl it is too late.?Congress is scared of FOI and PNoy is scared of losing Congress!??

. muddygoose ?Your funny. I hope you’re not pushing for FOI simply because your beloved politicians are not in power. ?One big reason we are clamoring for FOI now, like RH, Sin, and Divorce, is because this administration actually has the political will to make these controversial bills happen. There was never such a big discussion during previous administrations.?BTW, what is wrong with RH or Divorce? Obviously, you don’t care for them, but that does not mean they are less important. Maybe you need to think about your own motives and ask yourself whether you really love this country or you just love your religion and certain personalities.??

. ?txtman ?EVEN A MORON?WILL NOT BELIEVED YOU?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA?PITIFUL?AHAHAHAHAHA??

. muddygoose ?Are you sure you’re smart or have had any kind of success at all??

. superpilipinas ?Kasi corrupt din. Obviously.??

. ?txtman ?>>>>>>>>>>>> HIMALA < <<<<<<<<<<<<<

. ?F alonso ?Ang mga ibang Journalist naman hindi patas mag hayag ng Conviction nila.?Kung friend ang tinutukoy,mabango maski Tuwad basta tama ang Bayad.??

. superpilipinas ?ISA KA SA MGA HINDI NALOKO NG CONDOM ADMINISTRATION AT CONGRESS. He-he-he.?Maramin rin silang natakpan ng condom ang utak. ??

. txtman ?OINK! OINK!?ANO NAMAN BANG KABABOYAN YAN, LALA??.?.?SUS, SAKA KA LANG NGAYON NAGPAPACUTE??NGAYON DEAD NA ANG FOI BILL??.?. ?ARE YOU BLIND & BINGI?OR JUST SIMPLY?WANTS TO PROJECT THAT YOU ARE CLEAN??ALAM MO?ANG BABOY, MALIGO MAN NG ILANG BESES?BABOY PA RIN?.?.? ?ANO ULIT SABI ?NG MGA COHORTS NINYO SA CONGRESS??.?.?GOODBYE?.?GOODBYE DAW?AS IN GOODBYE?YOU CAN ASK LOLO VIAGRA BELMONTE?GOODBYE DAW?.?.?GETS MO? ?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA?.?.? ?ANG BABOY NGA NAMAN?NAGPAPACUTE NA NAMAN?JUST FOLLOW THE MATUWID NA ROAD NA MAHILIG TUMUWAD?DON'T FORGET TO WEAR CONDOMS HA?REMEMBER, WEAR YOUR CONDOMS PROPERLY NOT IN YOUR HEAD?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA?.?.?PITIFUL?AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA??

. ?superpilipinas ?To De Lima, please set an example. Do it in DoJ.?There are many things in DoJ that mus be kept secret. For example Witness Protection, NBI active secret agents, NBI active secret operation, security arrangements, personal private information, and other things that make sense to be secret.?But there are also those which should be open to the public such as department expenditures, progress and details of cases under prosecutors (not including details gagged by the courts), progress of NBI clearance applications, performance score card and project status of DoJ and it s bureaus, etc.??

. ?Edgardo Mendoza ?PAG NAPASA FOI BILL MARAMI ISKANDALO MANGYAYARI hehehehe FOI BILL NA TULARAN ANG SINGPORE ISA PINAKAMAYAMAN BANSA

. ?superpilipinas ?Count my vote! I want you to be the President of the Philippines in 2016.?As independent.?NO TO LP. They are inutile to pass FOI.??

. ?superpilipinas ?Her professionalism dictates that she obey the President's orders even though she does not think his policies are good enough. It's like in business or industries, you follow if you are a subordinate as long as your boss is not going against the law or regulations.?This is why I would like ...?De Lima for President in 2016. ?But not under LP Party. She should run as independent. If she runs, I will contribute to her campaign.?She's an achiever. Her principles are solid and her actions are no-nonsense. She's been the best DoJ head. There's no politics.??

. ?Rae_E ?I fully agree Sec. De Lima. For failing to certify the FOI as urgent, PNoy has just shown that his "Daang Matuwid" campaign is only lip service. He does not want his bosses to hold him & his fellow politicians accountable while in office. A vigilant citizenry could have help ensure that his administration continues to walk in the "straight & narrow" path and sealed a lasting legacy of transparency beyond his term.??

. ?tata_boy ?De Lima for president, a corrupt president may return like Binay.??

. ?geminimind ?I personally support the FOI bill,if it works for the secretary,it should work for everybody and the President as well.FOI bill becomes a law after May elections and I guess so.?(Edited by author 4 days ago)??

. ?superpilipinas ?Unless the President is changed or Congress is filled-up with new people, we will not have FOI.?It is important that the president fully supports and makes FOI no. 1 priority. Even If congress does not want FOI, a president who supports it can do a carrot-and-stick approach using the pork barrel. So I'd like De Lima to be president in 2016.

. ?Edgardo Mendoza ?FOI BILL D2 SA SINGAPORE MERON BATAS NA GANYAN WALA MAKAPAG NAKAW D2 KASI PAG NAPATUNAYAN NAG NAKAW KA LETHAL INJECTION KA AT FIRING SQUAD KAYA DAMI PILIPINA TAGALINIS NG ENEDORO BUTI PA RAW SINGAPORE WALA MAG NANAKAW! SA PILIPINAS DAW ANG PINAKA KAWATAN BANSA SA BUONG MUNDO! PROUD PARAW SA NINAKAW DAPAT LANG BITAYIN PERA NG BAYAN YAN!?

. ?bogli_anakdami ?singaporeans and flips are two different species.. there's no comparison...?flips haven't fully evolved... ??

. ?jgl414567 ?Congress should pass the Freedom of Information bill, those politicians who will not cooperate are hiding something and we will know who you are!!??

. ?bogli_anakdami ?junk foi!... i'm filing my coc to run for barangay tanod... as a bangketa vendor/basurero, i don't want my trabahadores to know my 'sang tambaks na $$$ account dito sa aming rural bank...?junk foi... ??

. ?Lucio V. Liwanag ?Mr. President , people will never forget you if this FOI law will take effect as soon as possible as well as push for the abolition of the " pork barrel "??

. ?superpilipinas ?Your Mr. President clearly does not want FOI.??

. ?tower_of_power ?Kahit si Pnoy hindi pipirmahan ang FOI .... marami ring itinatago yan ... si Erin lang ang nagiisang pipirma nyang bill na yan ... siya lang siguro ang hindi takot bulatlatin ang buhay nya. Papasa ka ng FOI na puno ng loopholes ... huwag nalang!!! Nakakainsulto ang ganun!!!?Tingnan na lang natin ang SALN ... suppose to be open yan sa public ... peron kung ano ano ang ginagawa para hindi mailabas ... remember Corona???

. ?12JEM ?It is puzzling why this President does not consider having FOI law in the Philippines to be one of the best ways of fighting corruption that is endemic in the country.?Ano kayang iniisip nitong si PNoy? ??

. desi derata ?Another istooped news/opinion writer. The bill is in the legislative body and yet this Jerome Aning wants us to believe that we are in a dictatorship, that whatever the President wants should happen.?The Philippines was without FOI and yet it exist through time. For me, FOI is only important if everyone is serious about getting rid of corruption. FOI will give well-meaning citizens power to review the records of operation of a government agency. Did FOI provide the Americans a tool to make governance effective and honest? No. For people without much propensity to steal what is not theirs, FOI is nothing. But for the Filipinos, FOI will also be inutile as political leaders will find ways to circumvent it.?Why don't you include in the oath of office that you Filipinos will not commit corruption in any way or form? Even in the schools, corruption is being taught. The teacher plays favorite, do regular fund raising and gives higher marks to the sons and daughters of gift-giving parents. When I was in high school, 2 of my classmates used to get good grades because they were sons of landed parents. In college, the professor joked about providing adequate reinforcement bars just for showing-off to the inspectors.?No one can accuse of this President to be another corrupt leader and yet he has multitudes of enemies. It is what is, Filipinos are incapable of having a government of the people. For politicians like Binay and Garcia, every post the government has been created for his son, daughter, wife or concubine. Can anybody, like the writer of article, go to Makati and review some budget allocation records? People die suddenly in Makati and elsewhere in the Philippines. With or without FOI, if the electorate continue to support Binay, et al, this country can only expect to be mocked and ridiculed by the world.?Now ask why investors are still hesitant to take the Philippines seriously??(Edited by author 4 days ago)??

. ?Bert ?nonsense.....??

. ?Mark ?Misleading thoughts!! Palusot ka pa Toy! Ulool!??

. ?Harry ?De Lima can still exercise freedom of information in all her agencies even without the law, nobody will hold her liable for being transparent.??

. ?missaya ?HOW ABOUT THOSE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL? IT IS EQUALLY CORRUPT WITH THOSE IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.??

. Hellomr ?Dapat lang na taposin itong FOI bill , as far as matuwid na Daan is concern ...The winner here is the Pilipino people once it done.... Every one has the access to check for corruption ... ??

. ?Albert Einstien ?hay naku IILAN lang matino at nagtratrabaho sa gobyerno ngayon..DOJ delima, comelec brlliantes, mmda tolentino,pnp purisima, afp bautista , benito ramos at paminsan minsan mar roxas , dinky soliman., at btr lea de leon...LAHAT NOYNOYING na...at propaganda ina-atupag...USELESS....?BIG YES to FOI.....NO to KKK & CORRUPTION!! ??

. ?agustin ?Please, Ms de Lima ask your boss to certify now the FOI bill as urgent.and in case he don't listen to you then tender your irrevocable resignation as DOJ chief.??

. ?missaya ?ganyan din sinabi ni Pnoy and LP during gma time. ano na stand nila ngayon??

. ?Bert ?they changed their mind, sila na nakaupo eh.....WEDER WEDER LANG....hehe??

. ?ramon penas ?100% agree. The proper way to stop corruption. Those who oppose this bill are the ones corrupt in the first place. ??

. Your_King ?It is election season so there may be a lot of not so clean activities happening in the government to ensure they win votes. Maybe the President doesn't want the FOI to pass now so as to avoid detection of possible questionable activities. It's weird tho since this is supposed to be in support of good governance but the fact that Aquino is not supporting it is contradictory to his fight against corruption.??

. ?disqusted0fu ?There you have it! I guess the speculations are right after all. This bill will not pass in this administration, contrary to what Pnoy promised during his campaign. The hopes for a real straight path just got shut down at least for now. Straight path and transparent government does not exist without the FOI bill. ??

?RAMONS ?if the foi bill is dead, then this man should also be dead.??

. ?ofw_888 ?transparency & accountability. sa salita lang yan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon pero wala sa totoong gawa. matibay na ebidensiya ang hindi pag certify na pririty ang FOI Bill dahil mabubuko sila sa kanilang mga analya lalo na sa pag kurakot sa pork barrel at pondo ng ahensiya ng mga sangay ng pamahalaan na pera ng taumbayan. yan ang mu,ero unong dahilan. tuwid na daan kuno. pweeee...??

. amelius23 ?As a legacy of the members of the 15th congress, there is still time to ultimately pass the FOI bill into law when the remaining session days of the present bicameral members come back after election early in June to wind up the legislative commitments of the members of our outgoing 15th congress. It will take political will for them to do this as their momentous contribution to the welfare of the public which is hungry for transparency in govt. dealings, not like thieves in the night.??

. ?ninestrokes ?I don't think it was Evardone's fault at all. If anything else, he did hold on to sponsorship and tried to push it past a congress that was uninterested in it.If you have to find someone to blame, then blame the congressmen who didn't attend Congress when they should. ??

. ?Bert ?what if these tongressmen are under malacanang instruction not to attend, or else, Abad will take charge of them (or take hold of their pork)? Will you still blame them alone???

. ninestrokes ? I understand your concerns. Still, you have to remember that this FOI bill has been in consideration since three administrations past. The first FOI bill was filed under the Ramos administration and for each of the next presidents of the Philippines, it wasn't until Aquino became president that the FOI bill was actively pushed, brought to plenary debates, and was given national attention. If it was really malacanang's intention to block this bill, it wouldn't have even reached national prominence the way it is now, unlike when Ramos, Estrada, and Arroyo were presidents. We didn't even hear much of the FOI bill then.?If anything at all, I am more inclined to believe, AND facts support my beliefs, that the congressmen who continue to be absent when the bill is deliberated on the floor are those that are affiliated with the Arroyo administration.??

. ?Bert ?Pandak again or are you just making another scapegoat and alibi? But Pnoy is now the president, eh? If he is sincere in pushing for the passage of the FOI BILL, just like what he did with the RH BILL and the CYBERCRIME LAW, then he can always do it. Remember, he has the support of the MAJORITY in congress aside from having Abad, his bag man.?What a lame excuse.....??

. ninestrokes ?Right, shows how much you actually know of Philippine politics. LP has no majority of any branch of the government. In the House of Representatives, LP has less than a third of the number of Congress, not even enough to produce a quorum to initiate debates.?And Abad cannot provide the funds unless it is legislated to be funded. Base your arguments on facts man, not pure conjecture and hostility. If you want to check on who is always absent, the House of Representatives actually keeps a log / record of each representative's attendance tally.?Facts show (not guess, as you do) that it is not the LP congressmen who are frequently absent.??

. ?agustin ?To pass this FOI bill, what AB has to do is : 1 bribe the congressmen to commit on FOI bill, that is the same process he did to impeached Renato Corona. 2. AB has to declare in public that he now prioritized the FOI bill. 3 He will tell his boss : I'm sorry for the

. ?beer_leader ?sarap tampalin ng tsinelas pagmumukha nitong si evardone.tuwid na daan naging tuwad na daan.sumalosep ! ??

. ?bugoybanggers ?Mabuhay ang mga ABOGADO!! Ang galing galing ninyo! Iba talaga ang PILIPINAS, napakaraming magagaling.. iba na talaga kapag lahat ABOGADO. Talagang uusad ang BANSA sa pagkaBOBO!??

. ?buttones ?The reason this Bill might fail is due to only one thing…a lack of interest- the Congress have NO interest in this matter, restrictions on the thickness of plastic bags, well of course- freedom of information in a so called ’democratized state’ Just simply forget it, it on a hiding to nothing…………next thing we know is some buffoon is going to raise the issue of dynastical rule….??

. ?Bert ?lack of interest of congress or malacanang's lack of interest???

. ?billy gunner ?mas mabuti kung maiintindihan ng ordinaryong mamayan ang nakakalungkot na pangyayaring ito at kung bakit nga ba kelangang isulong ang FOI? karamihan sa mga botante ay madaling madala sa pahayag ng mga politiko tungkol sa kanilang platapormang pagbabago. heto na sana ang tsansang yon ngunit bakit kaya ito pilit na pinapatay ng karamihan sa kongreso.??

. ?JohnDoeGB ?PNoy: Hindi ko priority ang FOI Bill.?Cong. Ben: Naintindihan ko po. Ako na pong bahala sa FOI Bill na to. ?PNoy: Very good Ben na nagkakaintidahan tayo. Si Sec. Butch Abad na bahala sa 'yo.?Ganun pa rin pala! Tigilan na ang propaganda at panlilinlang! Pag may political will obvious na obvious ang nangyayari, pumapasa talaga ang bill. Pag wala, wala ring nangyayari. Talagang propaganda lang ang "tuwid na daan". Nakakalungkot.??

. ?FernandoBusi ?No FoI, NO LP in 2013. ??

. pepito gwaps ?Almost all the senators and lawmakers are reluctant to talk about it and it will not be enacted into a law for the reason that " IT WILL KILL THEM". ??

. ?Jane Tan ?Obviously. Why would they pass something that will open their lives to the nation? Its basically suicide for any political figure. Especially those in this country.?(Edited by author 5 days ago)??

. ?pepito gwaps ?This is the real irony of Phil. democracy. They say it is " the bludgeoning of the people by the people" But in reality the people's will and prerogative is different from those of the gov't officials they have voted. It's like suicide in our part too to choice them to serve

. ?Edgardo Mendoza ?IKAW MAKULIT KA!! DI MAPAPASA YAN BANSA MAYAYAMAN LANG ANG MAY GANYAN BATAS TULAD NG SINGAPORE ANG PILIPINAS AY BANSA NG MGA KATULONG SERVANT TAGALINIS NG ENEDORO SA SINGAPORE PROUD TO BE PINOY! CLEAN ALL 4 STORY HOUSE EVERYDAY OKEY CHIMAY FOI BILL IS ONLY FOR THE RICH COUNTY LIKE SINGAPORE!??

. billy gunner ?this is today's worst news.?ginagagu na yata tayo ng palasyo. ??

. otoling ?Si Evardone ay tao na "sigaw ng bayan" as ash-ol of Pinoys??

. ?Anna Gwyneth Sorio ?Wag palinlang. Si Everdone rin mismo humarang nyan sa Committee level kaya natengga. Galing ng delaying tactics mo.??

. Bert ?Di pa ba KLARO? AYAW NA AYAW ni PNOY at nang MALACANANG ang FOI Bill!!!!?VOTERS, here's ANOTHER CRITERIA, a VERY IMPORTANT ONE, on HOW TO CHOOSE your candidates in the coming election. Those who are AGAINST TRANSPARENCY should be voted out!!!!??

. ?gilmano ?tama po. ginamit lang ni Pnoy yan para sa kampanya nya. nung nakaupo na, wala ng ginawa. at grabe ang batikos nyan kay gloria sa 20K USD na dinner. then spends P49M on his ski trip to switzerland. mga lecheng presidente ito. pare pareho lang kayo. ??

. ?jeronimo ?di na dapat tayo magtaka, walang pagkakaperahan sa FOI, masisilip pa mga sikreto nila, good luck na lang!??

. ?Fred ?Kaya mga kabataan at estudyanteng botante, wag ng iboto ang mga reelectionist ?congressman ng bayan ninyo. Magluklok tayo ng bagong congressman na gagawing batas agad ang FOI.?

. ?Night ?LUTO.... ayaw talaga ni Mongolyd Prince!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??

. ?missaya ?it is liberal party strategy to put evardone, a gma supporter, to be the chairman of Information and be blamed for FOI failure. in the first place, pnoy and lp does not have the full support of FOI. Tanada should now think of what LP is. ??

. ?Albert Einstien ?alangan naman po IPAGSIGAWAN pa ni PNOY na AYAW nya FOI ...kasi MABUBUKING mga KKK...yan TUWID na TUWID ang HUWAD na DAAN... lol??

. ?Fulpol ?tauhan ba ni BS Aquino III si Evardone????

. ?missaya ?hindi tauhan ni pnoy si evardone. binigay lang yang chairmanship sa kanya para mag hugas kamay si pnoy at liberal party sa FOI. evardone is an avid gma supporter. accept na lang natin na wala talagang Matuwid na president. yong tunay na nag susupport ng FOI. expect during binay presidency, the LP will be shouting again for FOI FOI

. ?leomar101 ?Good job doggie evardone. You will get your MOOE, pork in millions more and cash incentives from abad. To make it appear na walang kinalaman ang palace sa pagkamatay ng FOI. bwahahaha. well scripted ang arte ni eva... ??

. boypalaban ?mga pindeho yang mga nasa kongreso... ??

?Ari Putan ?Paglilinlang lang ba sa tao ang ginawa nyo dyan sa congress??FOR SHOW ONLY ?
Fulpol ?kamukha talaga ni Fulpol si Evardone...?LOL??

Felix ?mabuti sinabi mo kaya tiningnan ko din at tama ka nga... ikaw yata siya eh...lol??
don alto ?Pati sa PAG-IISIP!! ....LOL!?

Your_King ?I guess that's the problem with the government under the Aquino admin...they don't want information to be free to the public. Everyone knows by now how much money they all have and get from the Philippine budget but maybe they don't want information to be made readily available to the public since there is something to hide. With all the many unsolved problems in the country like dirty waterways and broken roads...who knows...

kilabot ?the foi bill is like pacquiao, about to be dealt a stunning knockdown; ?courtesy of noykapon, the verbal dynamite.??

?kismaytami ?Hindi yan priority ng current admin. Marami kasing katiwaliang mae-expose. Malalaman ng taumbayan na maliban sa tuwid na daan ay meron din palang detour at express lane.??

?mekeni62 ?Pnoy has said it before. the FOI bill is not among his priorities unless a change of heart ensues.?

?wakats ?It is crystal-clear that the FOI bill will be archived indefinitely since the lawmakers' questionable transactions on porks, etc, can be questioned after its passage.??

?RubenC ?Unlike the RH Law, the FOI bill has no foreign funding so legislators aren't really interested in passing it.?