Technicalities plague FOI bill hearing

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone talks with FOI Bill co-author Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello and principal author Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III before the start of information bill hearing at the House of Representatives. KAREN BONCOCAN/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Technicalities plagued the start of the hearing on the Freedom of Information Bill Tuesday, reminiscent of how its earlier hearing ended early this month.

Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino blocked efforts of proponents of the FOI Bill to have its consolidated version voted on by the members of the House public information committee by accusing Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III of railroading the inclusion of his right of reply provision.

Evardone, although saying that he wanted to have the consolidated version voted on, cautioned members of the panel that the version churned out by the technical working group was “incomplete.” He said that the new version was “more radical” as it “does not contain safeguards against the abuse of the FOI.”

Evardone admitted that the FOI would die if Bello’s motion to put it to a vote was lost.

But Tanada said that there was still the period of amendments at plenary. “I’m sure as the chairman would be the main sponsor of the bill, he will allow amendments to come as they please.”

“There is nothing to fear. This is the first stage of the legislative process. We go to plenary and anyone can put in their two cents’ worth,” he assured.

Before that, Antonino also questioned Bello’s motion to put the consolidated bill to a vote since it was seconded by Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez who was not a member of the panel.

Evardone said that it was a “technicality which can be remedied by submitting another motion.”