House public info panel to prioritize FOI, anti-fake news bills

The House committee on public information has vowed to prioritize the passage of the Freedom of Information and anti-fake news bills.   

"As we set our priorities for this Congress, two important legislations stand out to respond to the urgent challenges of our time, these are the proposed laws on the Freedom of Information and anti fake news," committee chairman Rep. Lordan Suan said during the hearing. 

He said the two bills "reflect the committee's commitment to advancing transparency, accountability, and truth as pillars of a healthy democracy."

Suan said the FOI bill seeks to institutionalize the right access to government held information by creating a permanent legally binding system for transparency, accountability and public participation; standardized access to public information across all branches of government; define allowable exceptions to safeguard sensitive government information; foster trust and public participation, and support anti-corruption efforts.

Meanwhile, the anti-fake news measure responds to the growing threat of disinformation and malicious online content that distort public information, erode trust in institutions, and endanger social harmony, he said.

He added the bill aims to define and penalize the deliberate creation and spread of false information while also promoting digital literacy and responsible use of online platforms.

"We will aim to balance the protection of free speech and expression with the need to safeguard truth and public welfare," Suan said.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe, committee vice-chairperson and author of the FOI bill, thanked the committee for prioritizing the bill which, he said, has been pending in the Congress for nearly three decades.

“I rise today with conviction and with deep respect for the work that has come before us to manifest my strong support for the immediate passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, which I have filed in this Congress under House Bill No. 1188,” he said, noting that it was also the priority bill of his mother, former senator Grace Poe.

Poe closed his manifestation with a call for action: “In light of all the recent events, let us be the Congress that passes this bill into law! It’s been three decades that this bill has remained in the halls of Congress. I think with all that has happened, it is time for us to finally pass this into law—and with your leadership, Mr. Chair, I believe we can do it.”

Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also expressed support for the passage of the FOI bill. 

"At this point in time, I would like to advance to him my support to his measure, the passage of the Freedom of Information bill," said Adiong. —AOL, GMA Integrated News