Palace unsure if FOI, RH bills part of LEDAC agenda

The Palace is not sure whether the Freedom of Information and Reproductive Health bills will be taken up at the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Tuesday, a Malacañang official said Saturday. “I do not know yet [about the two bills], kasi meron pa ngang bills na hinihingan ng detalye. ‘Yung iba naman po, may kelangan pang refinements," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview with state-run radio dzRB. “At this point, we don’t know what the final list will look like yet… The list is still changing," she added. Last July 28, President Benigno Aquino III said Malacañang is drafting an FOI bill that balances the interest of the government to withhold sensitive information and at the same time not curtail the right of the people to be informed. The FOI bill seeks to allow journalists and ordinary citizens to access public documents upon proper request with the concerned agency. On the other hand, the RH bill faces heavy opposition from pro-life lawmakers and the Catholic Church because of the provisions allowing artificial contraception. Aquino is to convene the LEDAC on Tuesday, Aug. 16, for updates on the common legislative agenda and the Philippine Development Plan. The last LEDAC meeting was in February where 23 priority bills were submitted. — JE/VS, GMA News