Senate OKs FOI bill on second reading

MANILA, Philippines – The Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill was approved on second reading in the Senate Monday.

Sen. Grace Poe. FILE PHOTO

Senate Bill 1733, authored by Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, was passed after several amendments by Senators Loren Legarda, Alan Cayetano, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

The bill is set for approval on third and final reading on March 10, Senate President Franklin Drilon said.

“This is a landmark legislation passed by the Senate,” he said.

Asked about when the House of Representatives will pass their version of the bill, Drilon said he couldn’t say for sure, as he is not aware of the sentiment of the lower chamber.

“[But] the promise is that when we pass it, they will discuss it in the House of Representatives,” he said.

The bill, when passed, will allow the general public to gain access to government information and is widely seen as a boost in the campaign against corruption.

Poe said when she sponsored the FOI bill that opening up government information will eliminate “red tape, abuse of authority, gross misconduct, and graft and corruption.”

At least 94 countries already have their own version of the FOI Law, she said.

The FOI bill however exempts information that pertains to national security, foreign affairs, internal/external defense, disclosure of identity of a confidential source, etc.

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