Noynoy bats for FOI act

President-apparent Benigno Aquino III says he is also pushing for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, a landmark piece of legislation that would lift the cloud of secrecy that hangs over many government deals and transactions.

The act, which operationalizes the constitutional guarantee on transparency, has been languishing in Congress for the last 14 years. In February, the bill almost hurdled Congress when the bicameral conference committee approved the measure for ratification by both chambers of Congress.

Unfortunately, while the Senate ratified the conference committee report, the House of Representatives adjourned for the campaign season.

Aquino says the Liberal Party would probably spearhead the approval of the measure in the next Congress, if it still fails to get the nod of the 14th Congress.