By Sammy F. Martin
MANILA, May 16 (PNA) — Youth and student leaders, led by Akbayan Youth, rappelled down Saturday a tall structure at the University of Philippines-Diliman to call on lawmakers to immediately pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill.
The aggressive youth hanged a banner demanding the members of the House of Representatives “not to keep the people hanging” and muster the needed political will to pass the measure.
They said the bill would provide the public better access to information needed to promote greater transparency at all levels of governance.
“Scale the wall of indecisiveness,” they claimed.
“The people are already tired of being made to wait for this important bill to be passed. The House of Representatives kept the people hanging for the last several years. Tama na ang pangbibitin. It’s time for the members of Congress to scale the wall of indecisiveness and bring the FOI bill to the finish line,” Akbayan Youth Chairperson Rafaela “Paeng” David said.
David said the passage of the FOI Bill would bring the reform thrust under the Aquino government back on course, which she said was derailed by several political debacles.
“It is barely thirteen months before the 2016 elections. Now, more than ever, the drive of reform must gather speed and get back on track. The passage of the bill will be the impetus the government needs to step up on its game and re-energize its campaign for reforms. This will ensure that positive institutional changes are made irreversible,” David explained.
Meanwhile, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez, who also attended the event is one of the principal authors of the landmark measure, said that pressing forward with the FOI bill would also benefit proposed reform measures such as the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
“The passage of the FOI bill will greatly benefit the BBL and contribute to realizing the Bangsamoro realm as envisioned by the Moro people. In tandem, the FOI and BBL will ensure the spirit of good governance and progressive politics,” Gutierrez explained.
Gutierrez also said the FOI bill could be one of President Aquino’s lasting legacies as its passage would align the country with 103 other nations that implemented FOI and other access to information laws.
“The passage of the FOI law will reaffirm the deep and serious commitment of the government to upholding the principle of good governance that is anchored on transparency and accountability, and where the people’s right to access information is fully respected and promoted,” the Akbayan lawmaker said.
“FOI is a crucial policy gesture to the world that our country faithfully adheres to international standards in promoting citizens’ right to informed choices, and in safeguarding them against corruption,” Gutierrez said.
The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), the largest formation of student councils, student governments, student political parties and organizations in the country, was among the groups that participated in the rappelling event.
SCAP is a member of the Right to Know, Right Now Coalition, a broad multi-sectoral coalition working for the passage of the FOI Bill. (PNA)