Honasan vows to be a fiscalizer in 16th Congress, to push for FOI bill

Reelectionist Sen. Gregorio Honasan FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Those against a Freedom of Information law have not heard the last of it.

Asked what bills he was planning to push for upon the opening of the 16th Congress in July, Senator-elect Gregorio Honasan II answered the FOI bill, which allowed the government to adopt a policy of full public disclosure of transactions involving the public interest, except of information pertaining to national security and defense that might endanger the country.

Although the Senate managed to pass the measure before Christmas 2012, critics accused several people in the House of Representatives of letting it die.

Critics also slammed President Benigno Aquino III for not certifying the bill as urgent.

On the sidelines of the Independence Day celebration in San Juan City on Wednesday, Honasan said he would also push for a bill governing the implementation of gun control, and another on disaster risk reduction management, considering that the rainy season has begun, among others.

He added that he would act as “fiscalizer” in the 16th Congress.