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PNoy gov’t failure to pass FOI bill on agenda at OGP meeting

February 14, 2013February 14, 2013 mcmangahas Leave a comment

THE FAILURE of the Aquino administration to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in the last three years — contrary to its avowed commitment to the Barack Obama-led Open Government Partnership (OGP) project — is up for discussion this week by an OGP subcommittee.

A report posted Wednesday on the www.freedominfo.org website said an OGP subcommittee “is expected this week to discuss whether the OGP should signal its disappointment with the Philippines government for failing to pass freedom of information legislation.”

The report said the discussion was prompted by a recent request from Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan, co-director of the Institute for Freedom of Information, and Toby Mendel, executive director of the Centre for Law and Democracy.

The request “poses a challenge to OGP officials, who have said that criticizing governments is not an OGP function,” FreedomInfo.org, the global network of FOI advocates said.

A similar situation had arisen in late 2011 when the OGP was asked to comment on the pending secrecy bill in South Africa. “The member governments of the OGP Steering Committee decided against making a statement, but the members from civil society wrote a joint letter expressing concerns about the controversial South African bill,” the report said.

The letter of the CSO representatives urged the South African government to listen to the civil society concerns and said passage would cast “a shadow” over South Africa’s participation in OGP.

“A broad South African civil society coalition, the Right2Know Coalition, had asked the OGP leadership to object to the bill, maintaining that the bill was inconsistent with South Africa’s participation in OGP, particularly as a founding member and Steering Committee member,” the letter stated.

The secrecy bill has been modified, although not entirely to critics’ satisfaction, and is expected to pass in the near future, FreedomInfo.org said.

In their letter to the OGP dated Feb. 8, 2013, Malaluan and Mendel averred the recent failure of Philippines Congress to pass a freedom of information law and expressed “the widespread view among FOI supporters in the Philippines that President Benigno Aquino failed to deliver on his campaign promise to pass a FOI law by being slow to propose a bill and failing to encourage legislative action.”

FreedomInfo.org cited that the OGP action plan that the Aquino government had submitted calls passage of a FOI bill as a “critical component” of its plan.

The Philippines government is a founding member of the OGP and together with the South African government, serves on the OGP Steering Committee.

“We sincerely hope that the OGP Steering Committee takes decisive action in response to this fact that the Philippines still does not have an RTI law,” said Malaluan. “If it does not, we believe that the credibility of the OGP will be at risk.”

According to Freedominfo.org, the OGP Governance and Leadership Subcommittee is likely to discuss the topic on a scheduled teleconference call this week in advance of an in-person meeting to be held next week in Jakarta, according to OGP officials.

Yet still, the report said “the likelihood of OGP comment is considered slight. Officials from OGP member countries have been reluctant to publicly criticize other countries. In addition, the OGP philosophy is geared toward encouraging participation and voluntary action.”

“Progress on action plans is to be self-assessed by governments and examined through an Independent Review Mechanism,” the report said.”The self-assessments by the Philippines government and the other seven founding members are due by the end of March. The selection of an independent reviewer for the Philippines and the other founding members is under way, with those reports due in October.”

Malaluan and Mendel noted in their letter that the OGP Article of Governance says that Steering Committee members should show “leadership by example for OGP in terms of domestic commitments.” They asked that the OGP “signal to the Government of the Philippines that its actions are not in accordance with the norms and expectations of the OGP.”

“The OGP has addressed what to do if countries consistently fail to fulfill their pledges over time, adopting a rule that subpar performance over three consecutive years could lead to suspension, FreedomInfo.org said.

The key provision of the Articles of Governance states:

“Should the IRM process find that a participating government repeatedly (for three consequent years) acts contrary to the OGP process and to its Action Plan commitments (Addenda B and C), fails to adequately address issues raised by the IRM, or is taking actions that undermine the values and principles of the OGP, the Steering Committee may upon recommendation of the Criteria and Standards (CS) Sub-committee review the participation of said government in OGP>”

FreedomInfo.org said another “unresolved internal OGP controversy” involves the Philippines: Which three member-countries should step off the Steering Committee to make room for new members.”

Norway has agreed to drop off, and both the Philippines and South Africa seemed the likely other two candidates, the report said.

However, it added that South Africa has balked and expressed “concerns about being it asked to volunteer to rotate off while the Philippines was being encouraged to remain on.”

“The Philippines had originally indicated a willingness to rotate off, but later changed its mind,” FreedomInfo said, citing sources.

The lead co-chair of the OGP, the United Kingdom, was said to be trying to resolve the situation.

OGP officials said the recent request to send a “signal” to the Philippines would likely come up at meeting of the Governance and Leadership Subcommittee.

The four members of the subcommittee are the representatives of the governments of Indonesia and the United Kingdom (chair), and of the International Budget Partnership and Twaweza.

Minutes of OGP subcommittee meetings are prepared and released. The most recent posted subcommittee minutes date to last September. Some can be found on the “Meeting & Minutes” page and others can be found under “related files” on the “Governance Staff and Donors” page.

The next OGP Steering Committee meeting is scheduled late April in London, FreedomInfo.org said.

Sloth, pride, and greed: Of FOI heroes and heels

February 8, 2013February 8, 2013 mcmangahas Leave a comment

WHO OR WHAT killed the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill?

All voters would do well to know and remember as the May 2013 election campaign heats up, according to the latest pooled editorial of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) that ran this week.

The PPI is the national organizations of over 120 newspapers and periodicals across the nation.

Yet, of course, deliberate delays, the chronic absenteeism of lawmakers, and the lack of firm support by President Aquino and his allies in the House of Representatives killed the bill in the 15th Congress

What follows is the full text of the last of four pooled editorials on the FOI bill that PPI members have published in the last four weeks:

Of FOI heroes and heels

A MACABRE murder it was. The victim, the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, lay forlorn in the last nine session days of Congress in the last three weeks, until finally it died.

To stave off its death, the media and the citizens had cried for leadership and urgent rescue by President Aquino and his allies in the House of Representatives. He and they alone had both power and mandate to save it. But they turned a deaf ear to the citizens’ clamor. They defaulted on their duty to lead. By their inaction, they had willed to send the FOI bill to the legislative morgue.

On the tombstone for the FOI bill, the facts should be written in no uncertain terms: Killed by official sloth, pride, and greed. Killed by politicians who lie on their promises and shirk from their duty to the people.

On the same tombstone, too, it should be written: Championed to the last by the people of the Philippines.

Official sloth killed the FOI bill. It is evident in the deliberate delays, the President’s constantly changing big and small “concerns” about the bill, and the ineptitude and chronic lack of a quorum in the House, that have marked the steadily slow pace of legislative work on the bill.

Pride is evinced in their espousal of transparency according to their terms. Transparency, they say, has been served because they have dumped tons of unintelligible but static budget and public finance records online, even as they refuse to respond to public requests for more documents on the use of taxpayers’ money.

And greed, for power and privilege surely, is palpable in their scorn for the FOI bill as it could trigger the disclosure of the full facts of their wealth and how they fiddle with public funds to finance their pork and other perks. The FOI bill, some had admitted in candor, will only lend their political rivals information to censure and expose them.

The death of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress gives the lie to the claims of the Aquino administration that it is a government committed to trekking daang matuwid.

The FOI bill could have served as the bedrock and institutional framework of that straight, narrow path but its death leaves daang matuwid narrow, dark, and stuck in potholes. Without an FOI framework, daang matuwid remains for the most part a slogan in theory but not in practice, a PR line.

Just as important, the death of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress is a sad commentary on how much and how far the President and his House allies value their promises and their word. Or alternately, how they do not at all. As a candidate for President in May 2010, Aquino had sworn to accord the FOI bill top priority. Meanwhile in 2011, his House allies filed suit to impeach, convict, and oust a chief justice, for his failure to disclose the true and full details of his wealth.

With his less than tepid verbal endorsement for the FOI bill, the President seems to be telling the nation that words are to a politician cheap, and promises, mere sound bytes a candidate mouths to get elected.

As for his House allies, the death of the FOI bill is proof that transparency and accountability is a razor-sharp sword they wield but only against political foes, never against themselves. To this day, in fact, Aquino’s House allies have refused to allow the chamber’s secretary general to release to the media and the citizens copies of all the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of all House members, as she is authorized in law to do, without need for approval of individual lawmakers.

Without an FOI framework, daang matuwid will constantly be hobbled by official sloth, pride, and greed. It is regretful that even now, as the election campaign heats up, the political opposition has mounted yet another PR spin they call daang maganda. But whether it is matuwid or maganda, a road not lit by the transparency and accountability that an FOI law assures in theory and practice, will simply remain a vicious, not virtuous, path at all.

The Constitution, from 26 years ago, has firmly guaranteed the citizens’ right to information on matters vested with public interest and involving use of public funds. The Constitution, from 26 years ago, has also enshrined transparency and accountability as state policies.

Under the same Constitution by which they took their oath of office and swore to serve, it is the solemn duty and obligation of the President and his House allies to pass the FOI bill into law. They have chosen instead to be painted as the heels in the murder of the FOI bill in the 15th Congress.

Yet still, under the same Constitution, the people of the Philippines continue to labor and campaign for the FOI bill. In their practice and advocacy, they are the true heroes of transparency, accountability, and good governance.

It is election campaign season. All voters would do well to remember who or what killed the FOI bill.

FOI: Mag-Ingat sa Hindi Tunay

February 6, 2013February 6, 2013 mcmangahas Leave a comment

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) bill is dead in the 15th Congress.

What follows is the full statement of the Right to Know, Right Now! Coalition signed by over 160 organizations and civil-society leaders on the failure of President Aquino and his Liberal Party allies in the House of Representatives to pass the bill.

TODAY, we close our people’s campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the 15th Congress. We have, to the extent that our capacities and limited resources permitted, exhausted all avenues that we thought were open to us to get positive, decisive action from the leaders of the House of Representatives and from President Aquino no less.

Yet they turned a deaf ear to our summons for leadership. Instead they caved in to their fears of an informed and empowered people. They gave us the lie to their avowed claims of transparency and good governance.

The campaign committed one big error – we had thought, in all earnestness, that the passage of the FOI law in the 15th Congress would have the support of President Aquino. Three years ago he had promised he would accord the bill top priority. Our sad lesson: Words are to candidates cheap, and Presidents lie, indeed.

Instead of giving the FOI Bill priority, Aquino hobbled the campaign from the beginning with his variably petty and serious mutating concerns about the FOI Bill. Our reaction was to address these concerns and to engage his Study Group after it was belatedly created.

When finally he endorsed the work of the Study Group in January 2012, at the height of the Corona impeachment trial, we thought the tide had changed. We were wrong again. Nothing would be heard from him since in support of the measure, except, ironically a left-field endorsement of the Right of Reply clause in a November 2012 speech. This no doubt affirmed and emboldened the obstructionist proponents of a patently unconstitutional Right of Reply rider to the FOI Bill at the House of Representatives.

Taking cue that the measure did not really enjoy Aquino’s full support, the House assured the death of the FOI bill by deliberate inaction. Committee on Public Information Chairman Rep. Ben Evardone, who had jumped ship from the Lakas-Kampi party of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to join Aquino’s Liberal Party, simply delayed and cancelled committee hearings on the bill on and on. When finally the committee members forced the vote to send the bill to plenary, two more Lakas-Kampi turncoats to LP holding the highest positions in the House – Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II – made sure the FOI bill will not get off the ground.

Unto the FOI Bill’s dying moments in the last nine session days of Congress, we appealed to President Aquino to certify the passage of the FOI bill as an urgent measure. His response, given through his spokespersons was curt — he wants to see a “healthy debate” on the FOI bill in the House.

It was an insult to say the least. It was as if the President was clueless about how the triumvirate of Evardone, Belmonte, and Gonzales had made sure that absolutely no debate would happen on the FOI Bill whether in committee or in plenary. And rather than taking the trio to task, the President, national chairman of the Liberal Party, even rewarded Evardone for his lackluster work, by installing the latter as a spokesperson of the administration’s hodgepodge of an electoral coalition.

And so the FOI Bill dies again in the 15th Congress under Aquino, as it did in the 14th Congress under Arroyo. But a startling point of contrast must be made, too. The FOI Bill had advanced even much farther in Arroyo’s time when it came just one step away from signing into law. In Aquino’s time, it did not take off at all in the House.

Where does the FOI campaign go from here?

The people’s movement for FOI will push on anywhere and everywhere, despite or in spite of Aquino and his allies. Rights, after all, are never served on a silver platter. Fight for our rights we must, and we will.

In the 16th Congress we commit to persevere even more. By the power of our own will and by the numbers of our people, we will heighten our demand to get our FOI Act.

We know this to be true: The FOI Bill did not pass in the 15th Congress because Aquino and the House of Representatives failed us. But the success story in our campaign for the FOI Bill’s passage into law is writ large in the ever-growing movement for the passage of the FOI Bill that has united nearly all sectors of Philippine society. They include workers and businessmen, the youth and students, the media and netizens, the churches, the civil servants, professors and school officials, migrant workers and their families, and a whole range of civil society organizations across the nation.

They exclude, of course, Aquino, his allies, and politicians of all stripes who seem truly scared that their secrets and shenanigans will be exposed by an empowering transparency tool that an FOI Act will be.

Today we do not bury the FOI Billl. Instead we keep it alive and recommit ourselves to push it in the 16th Congress – despite or in spite of Aquino and his allies. With greater vigor we will keep the FOI bill alive on the streets, across all media platforms, and wherever else local communities can set it in motion, through a more determined push for legislation, and also by practice.

Today we bury instead the legacy of ineptitude of the House of Representatives of the 15th Congress, and the falsity of Aquino’s promise as a candidate that he will see to the immediate passage of the FOI Act. Today, we stop hoping and appealing for Aquino to help push the FOI Bill in the 16th Congress. By all indications, he supports reform bills that also the donor community, investors, and credit ratings outfits favor. On the FOI Bill, he equivocates ceaselessly.

We take this opportunity to thank all the sectors and citizens who championed and stood up for the passage of the FOI in the 14th and 15th Congresses, despite the odds. The Senate, as an institution, has delivered not once, but twice, and there is no reason to doubt that it will again deliver in the 16th Congress.

We make special mention of Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, who made good on his commitment to work for the FOI Bill’s passage in the Senate in the 15th Congress as committee chairman, and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who did the same in the 14th Congress. We note that in both instances, the FOI Bill passed in the Senate under Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

At the House, while an unresponsive leadership and an indifferent majority killed the FOI bill a second time, a handful stood their ground — Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada of Quezon, Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, Representatives Walden Bello and Kaka Bag-ao of Akbayan Party List, and Representatives Sherwin Tugna and Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales of CIBAC Party List.

We also note that the 14th Congress’ Committee on Public Information Chairman Benny Abante of Manila has kept alive his advocacy for the FOI bill, in his private capacity. We acknowledge the emerging supporters in the House, such as Rep. Emmeline Aglipay of Diwa Party List, and commit to work with them to expand the group of FOI champions in the 16th Congress.

In the Executive, we thank Justice Secretary Leila De Lima for being the one and only Aquino Cabinet member to publicly stand up for the passage of the FOI Bill in her speech before the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). Indeed she was a breath of fresh air amid the asphyxiating “it is up to Congress; we want a healthy debate” line of President Aquino and his spokespersons.

The people’s movement for FOI lives on. We will never relent in our efforts to demand an open, honest, accountable, and transparent government that we all deserve.

In time, we will claim our victory.

Signed:

Nepomuceno Malaluan, Co-Director, Institute for Freedom of Information and Co-Convenor, Right to Know. Right Now! Coalition
Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD, Chairman, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA)
Malou Mangahas, Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Florangel Rosario-Braid, President Emeritus & Senior Adviser, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication
Annie Geron, General Secretary, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
Josua Mata, Secretary General, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
Clarissa V. Militante, Coordinator, Focus on the Global South, Philippines Programme
Rowena Paraan, Secretary-General, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Vincent Lazatin, Executive Director, Transparency and Accountability Network
Luis Teodoro, Deputy Director, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
Leonor M. Briones, Lead Covenor, Social Watch Philippines and Chairperson, KAAKBAY Party List
Yuen Abana, Campaign Coordinator, Partido ng Manggagawa
Jun Aguilar, Filipino Migrant Workers Group
Elso Cabangon, Filipino Migrant Workers Group
Ramon R. Tuazon, President, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication
Madeline B. Quiamco, Dean, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication
Alwyn Alburo, Vice Chairman, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
Eirene Jhone Aguila, FOI and New Politics Advocate
Jenina Joy Chavez, Southeast Asia Monitor for Action
Corazon Valdez Fabros, Lead Convenor, Stop the War Coalition Philippines
Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, National Coordinator, WomanHealth Philippines
Isagani R. Serrano, President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement
Gerry Rivera, Pangulo, Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA)
Rolando Ocampo, Spokesperson, Prudentialife Warriors/Movement for Change and Good Governance
Red Batario, Executive Director, Center for Community Journalism and Development
G. Sevilla Alvarez, Program Director, Center for Community Journalism and Development
Mae Paner (Juana Change), Juana Change Movement
Mr. Ernie Ordoñez, Chairperson, Alyansa Agrikultura
Norman Cabrera, Secretary General, Ang Kapatiran Party
Joseph Anthony Lim, Professor, Economics Department, Ateneo De Manila University
Flordeliz L. Abanto, Broadcast Journalism Coordinator, St. Scholastica’s College, Manila
Nicole Curato, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, UP Diliman
Alma Maria O. Salvador, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
Carmel Abao, Department of Political Science, Ateneo De Manila University
Marivic Raquiza, Assistant Professor, UP-NCPAG
Joy Aceron, Program Director, Government Watch/ PODER, Ateneo School of Government
Dante G. Simbulan, Jr. Professor, De La Salle Health Science Institute
Anne Lan Candelaria, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
Romeo Royandoyan, Centro Saka
Ric Reyes, President, Freedom from Debt Coalition
Lidy Nacpil, Regional Coordinator, Jubilee South – Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JS APMMD)
Cielo Magno, Executive Director, Bantay Kita
John Carlos G. de los Reyes, Candidate for Senator (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Rizalito Y. David, Candidate for Senator (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Joseph Purugganan, Coordinator, EU-ASEAN FTA Network
Carlo Brolagda, Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), UP Diliman and Convenor, FOI Youth Initiative (FYI)
Chris Alquizalas, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC), UP Diliman and Convenor, FOI Youth Initiative (FYI)
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
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
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
Allenia Nia Chua, Vice President, Youth Aids Filipinas Alliance (YAFA), University of the Philippines – Visayas Tacloban College
Arisa Bajana, Lord Chancellor, Vox La Salle Debate Society, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas
Renier Louie Bona, Youth Representative, TLF – Sexuality, Health, and Rights Educators (TLF-SHARE) Collective, Inc.
Gab Andres, President, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (TAPAT), De La Salle University – Manila
Kelvin Tagnipez, Chairperson, School of Economics Student Council (SESC), University of the Philippines – Diliman
John Tobit Cruz, President, Angat Kabataan, Taytay, Rizal
Migs Angeles, Secretary General, Akbayan Youth – UPD, University of the Philippines – Diliman
Khim Joseph Naval, President, Association of Political Science Students, University of Nueva Caceres, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Paolo Martin Saberon, Executive Director, Cebuano Youth Ambassadors
Starjoan Villanueva, Executive Director, Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao
Marwil Llasos, Candidate for Senator (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Carlos Cabochan, Candidate for Representative, 2nd District of Caloocan City (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Harry Tambuatco, Candidate for Representative, Lone district of Muntinlupa city (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Edilberto M. Cuenca, Candidate for Representative, 1st District of Makati City (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Mr. Frank Reyes, Candidate for Representative, Lone District of Mandaluyong City (2013), Ang Kapatiran Party
Bong Fabe, Freelance journalist
Aurora Regalado, Lead Convenor, Rice Watch and Action Network
Pablo Rosales, Pangulo, Progresibong Alyansa ng mga Mangingisda (PANGISDA)
Boy Alban, Pangulo, League of Urban Poor for Action (LUPA)
Jun Pascua, National Coordinator, Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKMM)
Relito Arisgado, Pangulo, Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Maralita ng Malabon
Elvira Baladad, Samahang 53 nd Macabud
Trinidad Domingo, Spokesperson, Save Agrarian Reform Alliance
Merci Llarinas Angeles, Executive Director, Peace Women Partners
Arvin A. Jo, Focal Person, The Access Initiative (TAI)-Philippines
Baibonn D. Sangid, Former Chairperson, Young Moro Professionals Network
Gloria Santos, President, Kilusan at Ugnayan ng Maralitang Pasigueño (KUMPAS)
Janel Pesons, Secretary General, Mindanao People’s Peace Movement (MPPM)
Roy Jerusalem Cabonegro, Secretary General, GREENS PH (Philippine Green Party/ Partido Kalikasan) and Executive Director, Partido.Kalikasan (Greens PH) Institute Inc.
Ren Bondad, Sanlakas Youth
Alex Castro, KAISA-UP Diliman
Ronald Salas, Social Action Center, Maasin, Southern Leyte
Rafaela David, Good Governance Advocate
Hermie Oraya, Provincial Coordinator, Youth for Rights, Eastern Samar
Ronald Allan Barnacha, Chairperson, PRRM Nueva Viscaya
Roldan Gonzales, Executive Director, Gitib
Datu Jimboy Catawanan, President, SOLED-Ki
Chadwick Llanos, Focal Person, Cebu Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Environment
Grace Villanueva, Executive Director, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC)
Mai Taqueban, Deputy Director for Research and Policy Development, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC)
Manjette Lopez, President, Sanlakas Party List
Rasti Delizo, Alliance Coordinator, Sanlakas Party List
Philip Adula, Coordinator, Sanlakas, Eastern Samar
Jefferson Agaloos, Chairperson, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Youth Association
Evelyn Lacambra, President, CLAIM Lallo
Tanie S. Suaño, Executive Director, Convergence of NGOs/POs in ZAmboanga del Sur on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development
Carmencita Andoy, Environmental Awareness Team, Misamis Occidental
Mary Ann V. Fuertes, Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), Davao City
Strauss Fernandez, Executive Secretary, RECON Philippines
Jean Enriquez, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific
Benito Molino, Chairperson, Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz (CCOS-Zambales)
Jose Melvin Lamanilao, Executive Director, Paglilingkod Batas Pangkapatiran Foundation, Inc.
Jaybee Garganera, Coordinator, Alyansa Tigil Mina

Online elegy for FOI: Netizens sad, angry PNoy, LP killed bill

February 6, 2013February 6, 2013 mcmangahas Leave a comment

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.?

Death watch for FOI: Belmonte surrenders, PNoy chief obstacle

February 5, 2013February 5, 2013 mcmangahas Leave a comment

IT’S THE EVE of the last session day of the House of Representatives, and the death watch for the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill has begun.

By all indications, the election campaign — not the FOI nor any other reform bills — is on top of mind of a majority of lawmakers seeking re-election or higher office on May 13, 2013.

But first, let’s do a wrap of differently pegged stories about the gasping-for-life FOI bill.

First, the story of surrender by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Rep. Ben Evardone, House committee on public information chairman. In a repot on Monday by GMANews Online, Belmonte pronounced the FOI bill “technically” dead.

He dashed all hopes that the FOI bill could still pass, with the House holding its last three session days this week. The lack of time, he said, would not allow for vigorous debate on the bill. “We cannot just curtail interpellation. May mga gustong mag-interpellate.”

Days earlier, Evardone himself had said he was waiving the white flag of surrender, then proclaimed the FOI bill dead. Yet just as quickly, Evardone was named as a co-spokesperson of the ruling Liberal Party coalition and its official candidates in the May 2013 elections.

The outlook for FOIbill’s passage is grim yet Belmonte said there was still a “slim chance” to pass it, if President Benigno Aquino will only certify it as urgent. “If the President certifies it, we can meet beyond Wednesday and Thursday. In that sense, there’s still that slim chance. Hanggang alas-dose ng gabi, basta huwag lang mawala ang quorum,” Belmonte said.

But Aquino has been tagged as the main stumbling block to the quick passage of the bill in a second story that an international group of freedom of information advocates ran days ago.

Titled “Lack of Aquino Support Seen Dooming Philippines FOI Bill,” the story was posted online at www.freedominfo.org, a global network of FOI advocates.

The story lamented the President’s position, as relayed by Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Jan. 31: “Our position is let’s have a debate, a healthy debate on this issue and we’ll take it from there.”

Freedominfo.org cited reports quoting House members saying that Aquino does not want the bill passed.

Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan was quoted in the story as saying that Lacierda’s “healthy debate” proposition is “an insult,” adding that Aquino and Lacierda knew full well “that the House leadership had used every parliamentary trick in the books to prevent any debate from happening.”

Freedominfo.org took notice of interviews in the Philippines press by various lawmakers who categorically said Aquino himself did not like the FOI bill passed.

For instance, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano, a member of the minority bloc, had told the Inquirer that, “I heard that the Malacañang is not for it.”

The Manila Standard also quoted Albano as saying that Aquino
“does not like the FOI bill. That’s what I gathered from Palace sources.”

in addition, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez had said, “If they want the FOI they can just ram it through our throat.” Speaking at a news conference, he added: “But obviously, the Palace itself is not interested in passing the bill.”

Meanwhile, CIBAC Party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna was quoted to have said in a Jan. 29 news report that, “FOI is not supported by Malacañang.”

Freedominfo.org also cited remarks made by FOI bill co-author Rep. Walden Bello. “I don’t really know what Malacañang priorities are at this point. In fact, I am not sure if the House leadership wants this bill to get through.”

Yet still a third story to the last raised a challenge to House lawmakers and Aquino: Pass the FOI bill.

In a statement, youth leaders of the University of the Philippines (UP) DARE Movement said: “Higit kailan, napapanahon na ang pagpasa ng Freedom of Information Bill na matagal nang iniwan sa lugmok na sitwasyon ng ating mga mambabatas.”

“Bilang mga Iskolar ng Bayan at progresibong mamamayan, nanawagan kami kay Pangulong Aquino na iwaksi na ang pagpapabaya at bagkus unahin ang interes ng sambayanan,” the student leaders said.