By Ed O. Barrita
Deputy Speaker Lorenzo "Erin" Tanada III has said the House of Representatives may pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill before the start of their recess on June 6.
Tanada, the principal author of the proposed Freedom of information Law, said Malacanang formed a study group whose members recommended some amendments to the bill.
The first amendment to his bill is the insertion of the words "national security," thereby expanding the concept of national security beyond national defense and foreign affairs.
However, Tanada said Congress must define the meaning of national security because they will not allow the President or any other officials to just say a piece of information cannot be released to anybody because it involves national security.
The second amendment is in relation to policy-making, where access of information to the public is given only if a policy decision of the government is already approved.
No information shall be given when the proposed policy is still being discussed by concerned government officials.
The third amendment is the insertion of mandatory disclosure in government websites of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (Saln) of the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, cabinet members and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) with the rank of one star and above.
The fourth amendment is to delete the criminal aspect of the proposed law, such as the imprisonment of a public official who will deny access of information to the public for one reason or another.
Only administrative sanction such as suspension of that official from the service is recommended.
"I believe these amendments should be enacted into law," Tanada said.
Tanada said that even President Benigno S. Aquino III believed that his Freedom of Information Bill is important and should be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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