Published on 12 October 2012 Hits: 132 Written by Llanesca T. Panti

The Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, which seeks to promote transparency and accountability in government, is barely breathing in the House of Representatives.

This was how Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Taada 3rd of Quezon, the principal author of the FOI measure, described the FOI bills situation after its hearing has been finally set on November 13 instead of the planned hearing on October.

With a November 13 hearing and only having one hearing to speak off from January to October this year, Congressman Evardone has placed FOI in the ICU, in life support, gasping for breath, Taada said in a text message to reporters, referring to Rep. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar who chairs the House Committee on Public Information.

The FOI measure mandates the state to disclose information and other transactions on matters of public concern and provides access to information being used for decision making or project management as well as transcripts or minutes of official meetings.

Just last Tuesday, Taada said in a press conference that he has already reserved a room that the House Public Information panel can use either on October 15, 16 or 17 considering that Evardone has always been telling him that the House Public Information panel Committee is having a hard time securing a room for a hearing.

If we pass it [in the Committee level] on November 13 and the Speaker allows it to be discussed immediately at plenary together with RH bill, there is still a chance to beat the December deadline, Taada added, referring to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of Quezon City.

Congress will go on a two week Christmas break before resuming in January 2013. From that point, they will only be in session until first week of February to give way to the campaign period for the 2013 midterm elections.

Speaker Belmonte, for his part, disclosed that he has successfully convinced Taada to hold the FOI hearing on November 13 considering that Congress is scheduled to take a Halloween break starting October 20.

I prevailed on Erin [Taada] to agree to November 13 for FOI. Its a fixed date. We may adjourn Tuesday next week, so people wont be around on a Wednesday, Belmonte said.

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Freedom of Information measure gasps for breath