“How can we now compel her and the government agencies to have these documents when she killed our pet bill, the FOI,” ani [Rep. Joel] Villanueva.

Mahihirapan ang mga grupong magsasampa ng mga kaso laban kay Pa­ngulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pagbaba nito sa poder sa Malacañang dahil sa pagpatay sa Freedom of Information Bill.

Ito ang kinatatakutan ni CIBAC party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva kaugnay ng nasabing panukala na naghihingalo na matapos na hindi ito maipasa sa huling araw ng sesyon ng Kongreso noong nakarang linggo.

“It’s a bill that enables the Filipino people, citizens of a democratic society, to access information on government dealings and transactions. This is basic right to information and freedom of expression, this is a right, not a privilege,” [CIBAC party list Rep. Chona] Gonzales explained. 

CITIZENS Battle Against Corruption Rep. Chona Cruz-Gonzales yesterday hit the failure of the House of Representatives to ratify the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) as it adjourned session last Wednesday to give way for the national campaign. Gonzales, one of the principal proponents of the measure, lamented that the absence of quorum was the culprit behind the virtual death of FOI which would provide citizens with an enabling law that gives flesh to their right enshrined in the Constitution to have easy access to information being held by the government.

She believes that miracles would save FOI from the grave when Congress resumes session on May 31 to June 2 for the canvassing of votes for presidential and vice presidential candidates before the 14th Congress goes on sine die adjournment.

"She is really emptying her cup as far as respect from the people is concerned. In her last few months, she continues to do things that divide the country, even taunting the Supreme Court which diminishes the credibility of the institution. She will truly go down history as the divisiveness president," he [Rep. Joel Villanueva] said. 

THE Supreme Court will not issue a ruling stopping the Judicial and Bar Council from submitting a shortlist of candidates for the next chief justice to President Arroyo, unless a petition is filed. Chief Justice Reynato Puno said on Friday the high court cannot motu proprio step into the proceedings being conducted by the eight-man council, which screens nominees to the President for vacant judicial posts, unless a case is filed before it.

 “The authorities should show an honest campaign against prostitution. This may be the so-called oldest profession but this doesn’t mean that we should tolerate this and let our women become victims over and over again,” [Rep. Cinchona] Cruz-Gonzales said.  

Woman lawmakers yesterday urged the government to launch a genuine anti-prostitution campaign following a foreign news documentary depicting the Arroyo administration as tolerant of “sex tourism.”  

Citizens Battle Against Corruption Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales and Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan lamented the documentary made by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., which shows the growing number of teenage prostitutes and the widespread use of “sex tourism” as a lure to foreign visitors.