Aquino sends new freedom of information bill to Congress

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III has sent Congress his administration’s version of the freedom of information bill, the Chief Executive himself announced Thursday night.

“Earlier today (Thursday), we formally submitted to our coalition partners in the House of Representatives a substitute Freedom of Information Bill, which we believe addresses stakeholders’ desires to have more transparency and more access to information in government,” the President said in a speech marking the  112th anniversary of the Manila Bulletin.

“We want every other administration voted into power to work under the same standard of transparency and accountability that we have set for ourselves. This is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” he added.

The enactment into law of the transparency measure remains one of the much-awaited campaign promises of President Aquino.

It has taken at least 18 months for the Aquino administration to come up with its own version of the proposed law.

Mr. Aquino said he expected Congress to pass the Reproductive Health Bill and 12 other priority measures before the 15th Congress ends next year.

It was not clear, however, if the bill would be added to the administration’s list of priority measures.