The House of Representatives failed to muster a quorum on its last regular session on Friday and adjourned without tackling any bills, including the much awaited Freedom of Information Act (FOI). A total of 128 lawmakers were present, but 135 were needed for a quorum. Advocates of the FOI, including Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and Rep. Joel Villanueva of Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) sought to have some lawmakers arrested and brought to the session hall, but the motion was rejected. House Speaker Prospero Nograles said he tried to do everything, including texting other congressmen, to attend the last day devoted to tackle legislative matters. However, his appeals were not heeded. The FOI was one of 34 pending measures in the Lower House that was so close to becoming a law. Since it was not passed, it will have to be re-filed in the 15th Congress and go through the entire legislative mill--all over again. The FOI, or House Bill 3732, aims to give the public greater access to government records and documents. Last month, FOI advocacy groups and 22 FOI advocates and scholars and members of parliament from Asia, Africa, America, Europe, and the Pacific Islands sent a stirring message: the world awaits the ratification of the Philippines' FOI Act. In a joint statement dated May 22, 2010, the FOI groups and advocates said that as the political leadership shifts from outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to winning presidential candidate Benigno Simeon Aquino III, the Congress must rush to ratify the measure. – abs-cbnNEWS.com The FOI Act, the groups said, “will no doubt put the Philippines solidly along the path of strong democracy and enhanced governance, and allow for the greater participation of all Filipinos in true nation-building.” “In a few weeks, the Philippines will see a newly elected government formally proclaimed. We congratulate the Philippines for the orderly conduct of the recently concluded national elections,” the groups and advocates said. However, “before the government is formally turned over to new leadership, there is one crucial act that we, organizations and individuals from around the world, would like to support your leadership on,” the groups said in their statement address to Arroyo, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Nograles. This is none other than the adoption of the FOI Act, which is “fundamental to the respect of all human rights, as well as to democracy.” As well, “transparency in the public sector enables meaningful participation, promotes accountability, mitigates corruption, and contributes to the realization of personal and collective goals.” The signatories cited that Article III, Section 7 of the Philippine Constitution “guarantees this key right, and we understand that this constitutional guarantee has been used in the Philippines to give direct effect to this right.” But, they added, “experience around the world demonstrates that implementing legislation is needed to give full effect to the right, including by spelling out procedures for its exercise and by describing the exceptions in detail.” “A historic piece of legislation” if enacted, the groups said the FOI Act of the Philippines will become just the third such law in Southeast Asia. Only Thailand and Indonesia have enacted a right to information law,” they said. “Should the Philippine push succeed, this will not only benefit Filipinos but will also provide direction and momentum to the whole Southeast Asia region.” – abs
