MANILA – San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada has reiterated his call to President Benigno Aquino III to certify the Freedom of Information (FoI) bill as urgent.
Ejercito Estrada, who has been pushing for the immediate passage of the FoI bill, is one of its authors. He made the appeal following the failure of the House Committee on Public Information chaired by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone to report it out in the plenary for second reading.
“If the President is serious in eradicating corruption in government, he should certify the Freedom of Information bill as urgent. The President and his allies in the House should prioritize the passage of the bill for the sake of accountability and transparency,” he said.
House Majority Floor Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales was quoted as saying that the proposed measure would have to take a back seat, as lawmakers have to fast-track discussions on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, which was recently approved on third and final reading in the House.
According to Gonzales, the equally controversial FoI bill could be discussed when Congress resumes session on January 21 next year.
Ejercito Estrada, son of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, noted that 17 senators were able to approve the FoI ill on third and final reading, just two days before lawmakers go on Christmas break.
“Thank you for heeding the call of the public to make the government more transparent and accountable,” he said, adding the passage of the FoI bill is crucial for the good governance thrust of the government and its battle against corruption.
The San Juan lawmaker is running for senator in next elections also praised the senators who “courageously voted” to approve the bill on third reading.
Media groups and civil and nongovernmental organizations are also pushing for the FoI bill. (Mindanao Examiner)
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