Leni Robredo supports FOI bill

Incoming Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo: All for FOI bill. JUAN ESCANDOR/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

MANILA, Philippines—Incoming Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo said she was willing to sponsor the freedom of information (FOI) bill in the 16th Congress, and that she was agreeable to Malacañang’s version of the transparency measure.

“I’ve seen the proposed FOI bill from Malacañang and I’m all for it,” Robredo told reporters on Monday.

“We should be looking for the point of convergence to push something. If we can agree on a common thing, we do not have to clash,” she added.

FOI advocates earlier issued a statement expressing disappointment over the House of Representatives’ failure to move the FOI bill forward in the last Congress. The House is dominated by allies of President Aquino, who had declared the FOI measure to be a priority during his presidential campaign.

Supporters of the FOI bill in the House had incorporated Malacañang’s proposed changes to the bill, including exceptions such as banning public access to official records of decision-making on policy formulation. Aquino has said that access to such information should be privileged because of their sensitive nature, and because public access could impair the deliberation process.

Also included in the exceptions are data related to law enforcement and defense.

Robredo said that she need not be the head of the public information committee to push for the bill’s passage, noting that committee chairmanships usually went to senior legislators anyway.

“The question is, ‘Am I willing to help push for it?’ Yes,” she said.—Leila B. Salaverria