PNoy: FOI law will be passed within my term

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III assured on Tuesday that a Freedom of Information (FOI) law will be enacted before he leaves his office in 2016.

Responding to a question of Makati Business Club chairman Ramon Del Rosario Jr. during a good governance forum in the Palace, Aquino said there is a need for such a transparency measure.

"The assurance, I think, should be given at this point in time that it will be passed before the end of my term," Aquino said.

The President, however, reiterated that he cannot certify the measure as urgent since the Constitution requires public calamity or an emergency for such action.

Aquino also said that this administration has suggested to Congress certain amendments to the proposed FOI measure to make it a "really doable activity" for the government.

His assurance on the FOI's enactment comes amid criticisms against his government for failing to disclose fully and immediately the projects and programs funded under the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Last March, the Senate approved on third and final reading the FOI bill sponsored by Senator Grace Poe.

Under the measure, citizens will have the right to request and be granted access to records or information that is under the control of government, subject to reasonable exceptions.

Once enacted into law, the FOI bill will require government officials to act or comply with the request for information within 15 working days.

Also last March, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte reiterated his promise to pass the FOI bill in the present Congress.

"Well, ang ipinangako ko during the 16th Congress. Bitayin ninyo ako kung matapos ito at hindi pa nakakapasa," Belmonte said.