Belmonte: Hang me if this House fails to pass FOI

MANILA, Philippines - While he just said it in jest, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. assured on Tuesday that the House of Representatives will approve the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill during the 16th Congress.

In a press conference, a transcript of which was sent to media outfits, Belmonte said they are "working on it (FOI bill)" and reiterated his promise to pass the measure in the present Congress.

"Well, ang ipinangako ko during the 16th Congress. Bitayin ninyo ako kung matapos ito at hindi pa nakakapasa," Belmonte said with a laugh.

Senator Grace Poe, author of the Senate-approved FOI bill, said she is confident with Belmonte's promise.

"Pero ako naman ay kumpyansa na merong minungkahi si Speaker Sonny [Belmonte] na sabi nya na within the 16th Congress ay papasa yung FOI sa lower house. Para sa 'kin isang malaking development na rin yan," she told reporters on Monday.

The Senate approved the FOI Bill only a week after it hurdled the period of amendments and was passed on second reading.

But there are doubts if the controversial measure will receive the same speedy treatment in the lower chamber, where Belmonte's proposal to amend the Constitution seems to be among the priorities.

According to the Congress website, the lone FOI bill filed in the House of Representatives was authored by Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones, a former journalist.

After its filing on January 27, the bill was referred to and read by the Committee on Public Information last February 3.

During that same month, Malacañang pointed out that Congress has never approved an FOI bill.

"We are awaiting the action that the Senate will take on the matter since it is also an independent body," Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

At a televised press briefing on Tuesday, Coloma renewed calls for the quick passage of the FOI bill. However, he reiterated that President Benigno Aquino III won't certify the measure as urgent since he is "very circumspect in the use of presidential power."

"Nais ko ring ipunto na even without the enactment by Congress of an FOI Bill, isina-kongkreto na ng ating pamahalaan ang maraming prinsipyo na nagtataguyad sa openness, transparency, full disclosure, at accountability of public officials. Batid natin ‘yung hinggil sa seal of transparency," Coloma said.

After their sessions tomorrow, both chambers of Congress will be on a seven-week Lenten break and will reconvene on May 5.