Transparency and Accountability Network

Senate passes FOI: Can the House Afford Not to Follow Suit?

12 December 2012 Leslie Flores

STATEMENT OF THE RIGHT TO KNOW, RIGHT NOW! COALITION

11 December 2012

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The Senate today made good its commitment to pass the FOI bill.

After Senator Gregorio Honasan II, Chairman of the Committee on Public Information, introduced committee amendments, and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago introduced her individual amendments based on her earlier interpellation, members of the Senate unanimously approved the FOI bill on second reading.

Renamed the People's Ownership of Government Information Act, the Senate is expected to confirm its vote on third and final reading next week, after which it will await the counterpart measure in the House for reconciliation by a bicameral conference committee.

We commend the Senate for passing the FOI bill for a second term. This is testament to its readiness to give to the people an empowering tool, enabling access to government programs and services, and facilitating the monitoring of government performance and informed participation in decision-making.

FOI Bill: Certify Urgent!

03 December 2012 Leslie Flores

The Freedom of Information bill (FOI) in the Senate and in the House of Representatives has advanced despite the odds, having passed the respective committees. FOI is now at a critical juncture, which will determine its passage in this 15^th Congress.

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

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

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

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

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