Duterte to prioritize FOI bill

Front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte smiles during a news conference shortly after voting in a polling precinct at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Matina, Davao City, on May 9. AP

The passage of the freedom of information (FOI) bill will be a priority of presidential front-runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte once he assumes office.

“Kung ayaw ng Congress (If the Congress does not want to), I will start progressively. Para walang satsat, walang yakyak (No more useless talk); day one, I will impose it in my department, executive department,” Duterte told reporters in an ambush interview in Davao City.

“Unahan ko na (I’ll go first). I will issue an executive order. All. Hindi na kailangan ng batas (Law is no longer needed),” he said.

He said the media would have access to documents.

“Media and everybody is open to dig into the paper,” he said.

While Duterte hit the media during his interview on the late night show of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, he said press freedom under his government would be expanded.

“It will be expanded,” he said, commenting on the state of press freedom under his government.

He said he would order all government agencies and local government units to open up as he pushed for FOI.