Senate passes Freedom of Info bill on 2nd reading

The Senate has passed on second reading a bill that, according to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, could solve more than 50 percent of the problem of corruption in the country. Senate Bill 3308 or the Freedom of Information bill, once passed into law, would basically equip people in the fight against anomalous government transactions by upholding their right to information on matters of public concern. The bill also seeks full disclosure of all state transactions involving public interest. "Hopefully this simple act would solve more than 50 percent of the problem of corruption," said Cayetano, chairman of the Senate committee on public information and mass media. Under the proposed measure, government officials will have no excuse but to give the documents or provide the information that is being requested by the people. Exempted from the law, however, are documents that might endanger national security, documents on ongoing military or police operations, and others that fall under other exemptions provided under the Constitution. Draft decisions in judicial proceedings or documents that are part of negotiations in diplomacy or international relations are also exempted, Cayetano said. "The good thing about this law is you don't even have to ask for certain documents like compromise agreements and contracts and agreements that give people certain benefits from government because these are required to be put on the website," he said. The senator expressed hope that the bill would be passed on third reading next week so the Congress can ratify it before the Christmas break. - Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMANews.TV