House panel approves Freedom of Information bill

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives Committee on Public Information on Monday approved the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

Reports said that one salient feature of the bill is that government agencies would be asked to justify why certain information should not be disclosed to the public.

During the panel discussion, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said that the draft of the FOI bill contains provisions allowing government agencies to withhold information.

Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives withdrew as authors of the consolidated FOI bill, citing that the committee-approved version is weak.

The House panel voted 10-3 in favor of the approval of the consolidated FOI bill.

Read contents of the proposed measure from our Bill Tracker.