House technical group hit for foot-dragging on FOI bill

Rep. Carlos Zarate. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A militant solon slammed the House of Representatives technical working group (TWG) for its “snail’s pace” procedure in consolidating the 22 versions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bills.

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said in a statement Thursday that the TWG, which was formed to consolidate the bills, “still sails roughly in the sea of uncertainty but it is still moving at a snail’s pace.”

“It is unfortunate that we are still shackled by technicalities while the people are already waiting when is the real discussion on the contentious issues [will happen],” Zarate said.

He is referring to Thursday’s TWG meeting, which was suspended thrice due to Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro’s claim that the committee should consolidate the bills and not the TWG.

The Capiz representative eventually conceded that the TWG should be the one consolidating the bills.

For her part, Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, member of the TWG, said she still believes “we have made a big step in today’s TWG meeting.”

The TWG agreed Thursday to adopt the common provisions of the 22 bills to give more time to discuss the contentious portions.

“Beyond being optimistic, we are ready to move forward. If we encounter technical roadblocks, we will be prepared to ensure that we can overcome these…” Bag-ao told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

The FOI bill has been languishing in the committee level as the TWG failed to meet twice last year. Thursday’s meeting is their first time under the 16th Congress.

Under the 15th Congress, the FOI bill reached the plenary but was not mentioned before it adjourned for the break.

Meanwhile, under the 14th Congress, the bill was not passed after the House failed to meet a quorum.

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