Government shows indifference to FOI, bishops say

MANILA -- The influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has questioned the continued indifference of the Aquino government to the controversial freedom of information (FOI).
 
In its Pastoral Statement after their 106th Plenary Assembly, the bishops of the Philippines said it is something unexpected since the administration has long been harping on its Daang Matuwid (straight path) and anti-corruption motto.
 
"It is ironic that the government that prides itself of treading the Daang Matuwid fears the FOI because of possible discovery of wrongdoing by public officials. Why are they afraid to entrust the citizens with the truth of their governance?" asked the CBCP.
 
To note, President Benigno Aquino III had refused to certify the FOI bill as urgent despite promising to push for the FOI bill during the presidential campaign in 2010.
 
In a statement, the CBCP still called on lawmakers to prioritize what is dubbed as a landmark bill despite only a few days left before the adjournment of the 15th Congress.
 
"We call upon the government to give due priority to the passing of the FOI bill at the soonest possible time," said the CBCP.
 
On Monday, the FOI bill was finally sponsored at the House of Representatives five days before it adjourns for the May 13 polls.
 
A legislator said the public should compel its representatives in the House to show up in the plenary to allow controversial measure to move in the last remaining sessions of the 15th Congress.

In a press conference, House Deputy Majority Leader and Marikina City Representative Romero Quimbo said that like with the reproductive health (RH) bill, the public should also put pressure on their representatives if they want the FOI bill also enacted into law.
 
More than a month after the committee report on the FOI bill was forwarded to the plenary, Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone was finally able to deliver his sponsorship speech on the measure after a quorum was mustered last Monday.
 
Since Congress resumed session last week, it was only able to call the roll of members and muster a quorum on Monday with 184 congressmen present on the floor.
 
Quimbo said there are "limitations and realities" facing members of the House of Representatives who are running in the 2013 midterm elections.
 
"The problem really is that it's almost campaign period and a lot of them are already campaigning, especially those who are running for a different position," he said.
 
Congress will again take a break on February 7 to give way for the campaign period, which starts on February 12.
 
House Deputy Speaker Loren Tañada III, the main proponent of the FOI bill, earlier urged Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, the chairman of the House committee on rules, to certify the proposal as urgent.

The FOI bill provides access to information being used for decision making or project management as well as transcripts and minutes of official meetings.
 
It is also considered the implementing measure of two constitutional provisions on the right of the people to information on matters of public concern. (HDT/Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)