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Freedom Of Information Bill

February 3, 2012 by · Comments Off on Freedom Of Information Bill 

Freedom Of Information Bill, Aquino administration has finally submitted to the House of Representatives its version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in a bid to promote transparency by giving people greater access to government information.

The Palace version is based on what Deputy House Speaker Lorenzo Ta?ada III filed earlier, minus the provision to create an Information Commission, which President Aquino felt will just add another layer of bureaucracy.

The Aquino administration has finally submitted to the House of Representatives its version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill which aims to promote transparency by giving people greater access to government information.

In his speech during the 112th anniversary of the Manila Bulletin on Thursday, President Benigno Aquino III said the FOI bill was sent to their coalition partners in the Lower House that day.

“We want every other administration voted into power to work under the same standard of transparency and accountability that we have set for ourselves. This is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” he said.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the FOI bill may not be included in the priority bills of the administration but its passage will be pursued vigorously.

“The FOI version we submitted yesterday was crafted way after decision on the 13 priority measures was made, President Aquino has finally authorized a version and we will pursue it vigorously,” Valte said in a text message to reporters.

Last month, Aquino ordered his Cabinet to ‘push ahead’ with the FOI bill.

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