No FOI? Cha cha, Anti-dynasty bills in Congress’ agenda on Monday

House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives will tackle bills on charter change and political dynasties as it resumes session on Monday, Radyo Inquirer 990AM said.

However, the listed measures to be discussed in plenary do not include the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, which media groups and people’s organizations have long been clamoring for.

The report cited Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II saying that only the proposed amendments to the Philippine Constitution and the Anti-dynasty bill will definitely be raised before the plenary since both have already been approved in the committee level.

The anti-political dynasty bill or House Bill 3587 prohibits the spouse or any persons related to a politician aspiring for re-election within a second degree of consanguinity to run for a position in the same election.

The bill has been listed in the order of business, or the plenary’s agenda, since Jan. 20. But no discussions have been conducted because it has yet to be sponsored on the floor.

Meanwhile, the charter change resolution, filed by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., seeks to add “unless otherwise provided for by law” in the provisions limiting foreign ownership under the Constitution.

The resolution reached the plenary after being approved by the House committee on constitutional amendments on March 3.

In contrast,  the FOI bill has yet to have a consolidated version since its many versions are still with the technical working group (TWG).

Representative Jorge Almonte, Public Information committee chair, said there is no assurance that the FOI will be approved by Congress  before the 1st regular session of the 16th Congress closes in June.

In a televised press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Monday reiterated President Benigno Aquino III’s stand that the FOI “does not enjoy such a high priority.” But he said it does not mean that it is not important.

The House is also waiting for Malacañang to submit the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which was based on the peace accord between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Council.

Both houses of Congress vowed to prioritize the Bangsamoro Basic Law which will pave the way for the creation of a Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao.

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Originally posted: 2:22 pm | Monday, May 5th, 2014