Honasan seeks passage of his freedom of info bill

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan is hopeful that efforts for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in the Senate will continue to gain momentum.

"We are hoping, since it was put in the back burner last Congress, that this will (now) gain momentum," Honasan, chairman of Senate committee on public information and mass media, said in a press conference here yesterday.

As principal sponsor of the FOI, he was "a little disappointed" the FOI Bill was not mentioned as a priority during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III, he said.

Still, he said he is optimistic the FOI Bill will move in the 15th Congress. "This deals with the issue of transparency, not only as far as the media is concerned. But we call back on the core principle that an 'informed citizenry is an empowered citizenry,'" he said.

The senator added: "It deals basically, with procedure. For almost all procedural access to information, the exceptions are mainly national security issues, foreign policies, and private contracts. There will also be criminal and administrative sanctions for violations."

Honasan was among the guests of honor in the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines Joint National Executive Board Meeting and the 4th Visayan Island Congress at the Planta Hotel in the city.

On Aquino's SONA, Honasan gave it an eight on a scale of one to 10. "I was listening more as a senator with my heart than my brain. I saw his SONA as clear and simple which resonated among the majority of our people," he said.

"To me it was a straightforward call for mobilization of our national energies and resources, and the orientation of these energies towards the reforms that have been started," said Honasan.

The senator said Aquino also showed his commitment to protect national patrimony when he said the Philippines is for the Filipinos. "I was inspired by the president's mention of sustained anti-poverty programs" as well as the promised housing for policemen and soldiers," he said.

Aquino's vow for "continued reforms in Philippine society, including making the taxation system in our country more efficient" was also inspiring, said Honasan. (FREEMAN)