House leader to push for info bill’s approval
http://www.sunstar.com.ph
January 4, 2012

 MANILA — An author of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill vowed to push for a definite date for the measure’s passage after President Benigno Aquino III expressed full support of the legislation.

House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tanada III said he will set up talks with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and House Committee on Public Information chairman Ben Evardone to discuss the next steps for the approval of the measure.

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Aquino decided to back the bill’s passage after his aides proposed safeguards against potential abuse while ensuring full government transparency, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Wednesday.

Tanada, an ally of Aquino, said he welcomes Palace’s support to the Freedom of Information bill. “I have always been patient and confident that the Freedom of Information will move.”

“It is now incumbent on both chambers to work for its passage before June 2012,” Tanada added.

Pro-democracy groups and media watchdogs have called for the bill’s passage for years to guard against corruption and government abuses, but it has never been passed by Congress.

Evardone, chairman of the committee dealing with the bill, said Aquino’s support of the legislation could enable it to be passed this year.

The FOI bill is still pending for approval in the House Committee on Public Information after the leadership decided to wait for the Palace’s version of the measure.

Read full article @ www.sunstar.com.ph