Aquino backers list priority as FOI, bill vs dynasties

DASMARIÑAS CITY—A group formed by supporters of President Benigno Aquino said it is pushing for the enactment of three important bills, among them the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, before the President’s term ends in 2016.

“Over the next two years, there are at least three important laws that must be passed,” said Karina David, former Civil Service Commission chair and convenor of the Koalisyon ng Mamamayan para sa Reporma (KOMPRe).

These, she said, are the FOI, the antipolitical dynasty bill and reforms in the Philippine tax system.

In July, Mr. Aquino has endorsed the FOI as a priority bill to give the public access to government records and transactions. The President has also publicly expressed his support for the antidynasty bill.

KOMPRe, which was launched nationwide last month, is being criticized as a pro-Aquino group.

At the coalition’s regional launch in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) held here on Sunday were Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Budget Secretary Butch Abad and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who is the presumed presidential candidate of the ruling Liberal Party in 2016.

Also present were Liberal Party members in the local government, among them Dasmariñas lone district Rep. Elpidio Barzaga who voted to quash the impeachment complaints lodged against Mr. Aquino.

But David, in a press conference, reiterated that her group is not endorsing any political candidate but only supporting reforms in government.

“We choose to assess what’s going on, to assist in what’s good and to propose (to the President) what we think should be done better,” she said.