Press Release
January 19, 2014

PASSAGE EXPECTED BY MARCH 2014:
FOI plenary debates resume Jan. 27

Plenary debates on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill shall resume on January 27 at the Upper Chamber, Sen. Grace Poe said in a radio interview.

"We will resume plenary debates on January 27, confident that by the end of March or the first quarter of this year, we will be able to pass this measure at the Senate," Poe said.

Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public information and mass media and sponsor of the bill, welcomed Senate President Drilon's recent statement that the FOI is a proof of "the Senate's commitment to its anti-corruption and reformist agenda."

At the same time, Poe emphasized the importance of passing a truly effective FOI measure. "It is not simply about passing this measure but guaranteeing a truly reliable and meaningful FOI law," she said.

"Our citizens must know what the government is undertaking on their behalf. This will not only deter graft and corruption but will also empower them to actively participate in governance," Poe said.

The measure shall allow every Filipino citizen to request and be granted access to any record or information that is under the control of the government, subject to certain exceptions. Government includes all agencies, the executive, legislative and judicial branches, constitutionally mandated bodies, local government, government-owned or controlled corporations and government financial institutions.

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