PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has urged Congress to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
“To ensure the permanency of transparency policies, we urge Congress to pass the Freedom of Information Act,” the President said in his message to Congress when the proposed P3.002-trillion 2016 National Budget was submitted to the legislative body on Tuesday afternoon.
The Department of Budget and Management submitted the proposed budget to Congress on behalf of President Aquino.
After delivering his State of the Nation Address on Monday, the President was criticized for failing to mention anything regarding the FOI.
During the press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said President Aquino has long advocated the passage of the FOI.
“Matagal na pong ipinahayag ng ating pamahalaan ‘yung paniniwala nito at ang pagtalima nito sa freedom of information. Makatuwiran lang po na kilalanin din na sa aksyon na po ipinakita ng ating pamahalaan ito at hindi po umaasa lamang sa kung ito ay ire-require po o iuutos ng isang batas. Palagay ko ay makatuwiran namang sabihin na marami na po ang kongkretong manipestasyon na mas matimbang pa sa salita,” Secretary Coloma said. PND