MANILA, Philippines - Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have withdrawn co-authorship from the consolidated version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill which was approved by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Information on Monday.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jose Romualdo voted against the passage of the bill, which they said was "toothless."
"Sa tingin natin 'yung version na isinalang kahapon sa committee ay nagtatanggal nga ng ngipin sa Freedom on Information Bill dahil may mga exceptions na ipinasok dito na sa tingin namin hindi dapat," Tinio said in an interview with radio dzMM on Tuesday.
The ACT representative said that the consolidated FOI bill has limitations on the acquisition of copies of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of high-ranking government officials, citing the Congress and Supreme Court as examples.
Tinio noted that the existing rules and regulations of the House of Representatives provide that only the summaries of the SALN of legislators will be made available to the public and a letter of request should be submitted to the lower chamber’s leadership first before acquiring a legislator's actual SALN.
"Napakahirap kumuha ng SALN ng mga members ng Supreme Court because of their rules and regulations. Ang daming mga requirements. Kailangan ma-satisfy 'yung mga justices sa justification na ibibigay mo. Kung 'di sila satisfied, pwede nilang i-deny," Tinio said.
The Makabayan bloc lawmakers are seeking to reform such limitations in the consolidated FOI bill so as to produce a bill that would recognize the public's right to information.
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