Freedom of info bill nears approval
THE Senate has ratified the Freedom of Information Act of 2009, making the constitutional right to know and the state policy of full disclosure of transactions involving public interest operable.
The bill which was unanimously approved by senators Monday night was prepared by the Senate committees on public information and mass media and on civil service and government reorganization.
Senate Bill No. 3308 covers right to information relating to the details of the administration, budget and expenditure and management of the defense and law enforcement agencies shall always be accessible to the public.
While it upholds right of access to information, safeguards had also been placed in the measure to protect the right to privacy unless personal information forms part of a public record or the person is or was an official of government and if the information relates to his or her public function and he or she has consented to the disclosure of such information.
The authors were Senators Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Manuel Roxas II, Jinggoy Estrada, Manuel Villar, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano and Miguel Zubiri.
The Senate also ratified the proposed modernization of the Bureau of Immigration and passed on third reading the Early Voting Bill.
Sen. Francis Escudero said he expects the bicameral report on the Immigration Act of 2010 to be presented to the plenary of both houses of Congress today for ratification.
"Sana ma-modernize na nang tuluyang nito (proposed Philippine Immigration Act of 2010) at hindi tulad ngayon na panahon pa ng Commonwealth government ang batas na umiiral kaugnay na ito," he said.
Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan told senators the law creating the Bureau of Immigration was enacted in 1940 and signed by then US President Franklin Roosevelt.
He said the amendment is timely and needed to attune it with the needs of the times "lalo sa ngayong panahon na globalization, transnational crimes, human trafficking, maraming ganitong concerns."
One of the salient provisions of the bill is the implementation of policies and procedures that would make it easier for foreigners to visit or do business in the country.
The bill also seeks to empower the bureau to help spur economic development by attracting foreign businessmen.
The Senate also on Monday passed on third and final reading a bill allowing early voting in certain areas and of certain sectors, including the media, detainees, and uniformed jail personnel.
Sen. Richard Gordon, author and sponsor of Senate Bill 3570, said they received assurance from the members of the House of Representatives that the Senate version would be adopted in the bicameral conference committee.
Congress needs to hasten the approval and ratification as it is set to adjourn on Friday. – JP Lopez
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