FOI Bill sponsors gearing up for tough debate
Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Sponsors of the Freedom of Information Bill are gearing up to begin the period of interpellation and debates on Tuesday.
Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, principal author of House Bill 6766 or the Freedom of Information Act, told reporters in a press conference that sponsors of the measure “hope to proceed with interpellation and debates today.”
They are also hoping for the presence of a quorum later, just like Monday when they were able to muster a quorum with 186 members present.
It was the first time this year that the House conducted a roll call and Tañada hoped “sana ma-sustain ang quorum (the quorum will be sustained).”
“Handa si Ben (Evardone) at ako na i-close na (Ben Evardone is ready and I’ll close the) sponsorship today and to proceed with interpellation and debates,” said the legislator.
On Monday, Tañada voiced worries that there might not be enough lawmakers left to constitute a quorum by the time they tried to sponsor the bill.
Despite the presence of a quorum, he said that members were going in and out of plenary and that they might not be able to sustain the needed number for a quorum.
The campaign period was affecting the attendance of lawmakers, said Marikina City Representative Miro Quimbo who said that it might be time for constituents themselves to urge their districts’ representatives to show up during session.
Sponsorship pushed through on Monday with the bill’s main sponsor, public information committee chairman and Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, delivering his speech at past 6 p.m. followed by Tañada’s sponsorship speech.
Several FOI co-authors wanted to deliver their sponsorship speeches but only two were allowed in keeping with the agreement between the majority and minority blocs.
But aside from quorum problems, Tañada admitted that the lack of public awareness on the benefits of an FOI Law also has to be addressed.
“(This is being) taken for granted. They are not aware of their rights under the Constitution. They lack awareness on how this right can be used to improve their lives,” he said in Filipino.
