PNoy defends non-inclusion of FOI bill on priority list

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday defended anew his decision to exclude the Freedom of Information bill on the list of his priority measures. At a press briefing after the four-hour meeting of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), Aquino said there are so many details in the bill that have to be threshed out. “Marami pong detalye na hindi pa natalakay dun sa mungkahi. Merong technical working group tayo under Undersecretary Manolo Quezon [III] who has been tasked to deal with both chambers, various non government organizations, other stakeholders," he said. The FOI bill seeks to answer a Constitutional provision that guarantees the right of people to access to information and documents in the custody of the government. Aquino, who heads LEDAC, said the formal working committee, composed of representatives from the Senate, House of Representatives and other stakeholders, is expected to come up with a general principle that will lead to the smooth implementation of the measure once it becomes a law. “Yung lahat ng detalye ang umiipit sa atin kung paano maglalabas ng mungkahi na pwedeng masaklaw yung lahat ng contingencies para hindi naman pahirapan yung estado, hindi naman makasira sa interest ng bayan yung pagkakaroon nitong karapatan na magkaroon ng impormasyon," he said. Aquino also said he is optimistic that the FOI bill will be enacted into law during his term. “I’m hoping [that it will be approved under my watch]. It is dependent on the working of that group that tries to encompass all the stakeholders," he said. He, however, noted that despite the absence of a law, his administration will be as transparent as possible in all its dealings. Aquino also said that despite the absence of the law, his administration will remain transparent in its dealings. “In our practice, I don’t think any of you can say that we withheld any information on practically any matter." The 13 priority bills of Aquino are: