The Philippine Online Chronicles

President Benigno Aquino III has finally submitted the Palace version of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill to the House of Representatives, a month after he instructed Cabinet officials to “push ahead” with the measure aimed at promoting transparency.

The president said in his speech during the 112th anniversary of the Manila Bulletin on Thursday that Malacañang’s FOI bill was transmitted to his allies in the Lower House during the same 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," the president said in his speech.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the FOI bill will be pursued “vigorously” even if it is not included in the Aquino administration’s list of priority bills.

Valte said the administration bill is being proposed for the consideration of the House Committee on Public Information and the administration’s coalition allies as a substitute to the one currently pending in the committee.

Last month, the Palace announced that the final version of the FOI bill struck out the proposed information commission, which was supposed to solve disputes between agencies and parties seeking disclosure of documents. It said the commission would just add another layer of bureaucracy.

Some quarters however have expressed concern that the Palace version may be still be restrictive due to its list of exceptions.

Prof. Luis Teodoro, deputy director of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), said in a Bulatlat report that the Palace version focuses on restrictions rather than the public’s right to information.

He said among the exceptions stated in the Palace FOI bill are “the records of minutes and advice given and opinions expressed during decision-making or policy formulation as part of the Chief Executive’s deliberative process.”