Congress calendars information bill in Friday's session

CONGRESS decided not to prolong the agony of Freedom of Information (FOI) Act advocates as it decided to include the Bill in the order-of-business when it convenes as a legislative body on June 4.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles said no canvassing will take place on the said date to give way to the formal closing of the 14th Congress as agreed upon by the lower and upper chambers.

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The day marks the last chance for the FOI bill to be ratified as the canvassing will resume after the closing session.

Nograles however remains uncommitted as to whether the bill will be ratified by the lower house, saying that he has no control over the floor.

"I think it is very unfair that FOI will be in my shoulders as if I am in full control," he said in a press briefing.

He pinned the blame on the incident that occurred during the last three days of session last February when the oath-taking of proclaimed Cebu 4th district Representative Celestino Martinez was blocked by allies of rival Benhur Salimbangon, leading to a lack of quorum.

"It's not my fault two warring congressman from Cebu started to squabble on the floor," he said.

Addressing the possible return scenario as defeated representatives may not be in the mood of attending, the House Speaker guaranteed that he will lobby for the physical attendance of lawmakers.

He chided the allegation that he is apparently blocking the passage of the bill, citing that he is co-author of it and "shepherded" its passage during the first to third reading.

He said that he also ordered the creation of a bicameral committee right away and included FOI's ratification in the agenda before Congress closed session for the campaign period.

Adding to the constraints, the Senate, who has ratified the bill, returned their version a bit late, according to Nograles.

FOI is just awaiting ratification from the lower house before being transmitted to the Office of the President for approval.

Deaf of the issue

The House of Representatives opened and suspended session Monday without tackling any legislative matter despite points of order raised FOI lawmakers.

Upon opening, Majority Floor Leader Arthur Defensor right away moved for the suspension of the session on June 4 which Nograles instantly approved.

FOI proponents tried to move for its ratification but they were ignored and the microphones were turned off.

Manila Representative and House committee on Public Information Chairman Bienvenido Abante tried to raise a point-of-order to move for the bill's ratification and deliver a privilege speech but to no avail.

"If they do not want us to ratify then we would like to go on record that they are making a commitment to ratify on Friday," he said.

In a caucus last week, Defensor made the commitment that the bill would be ratified Monday which turned out be "an empty promise, according to Abante.

"If they can not even fulfill a promise given at plenary, I doubt if it will be tackled on June 4," he said, citing that the ratification could have taken only two minutes.

The session was done in less than five seconds with Nograles promptly walking out after hitting the gavel. (Angela Casauay/Sunnex)