FOI Bill Of ‘Paramount Importance’ | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper O... http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/369918/foi-bill-of-paramount-importance Search the web Search this site HOME News Business Lifestyle Entertainment Sports AP News Bulletin Board Archives Wednesday, September 5, 2012 Main News World Regional Motoring Opinion Education Environment FOI Bill Of ‘Paramount Importance’ Quick Links By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA 2 retweet August 16, 2012, 8:57pm Follow @manila_bulletin 276K followers MANILA, Philippines — The passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act is of “paramount importance” in achieving the Aquino government’s advocacy for a “daang Like 6 matuwid,” anti-corruption advocates in the Senate said. Login or register Senators Edgardo Angara and Franklin Drilon made this assessment yesterday as to post 0 they formally led the launching of the fifth international conference of the Global comments Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) held at the Claro M. 1 Recto Room of the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City. Print Both lawmakers agree that the Philippines ought to improve its anti-corruption efforts Email considering it has passed so many good laws to combat corruption compared to other countries especially in South east Asia. Find us on Facebook “It is indeed ironic that the Philippines can produce so many good laws against corruption, and set up outstanding institutions against corruption and yet cannot MANILA BULLETIN implement it well,” Angara said. Like “Why can’t we not implement it? One of the reasons, which Sen. Drilon has mentioned, I think is leadership by example. But I think over-all, everyone must pull 41,216 people like MANILA BULLETIN. together…the issue of corruption must be seen in the context of culture of the people. If there is no culture of obedience, then there is no culture of rule of law. No matter what you law you pass, it cannot be implemented,” Angara said. The passage of the FOI bill, which until now has not moved in the House of Representatives, is critical as the measure is seen to aid media practitioners in Mary Jane Dingdong Felino r Romel Zei promoting transparency and fulfill their mandate to report corrupt practices in the bureaucracy. The Senate itself has passed its own version of the FOI bill and is awaiting for the measure to enter bicameral conference committee deliberations. Ike Gerily n Robert Mary Ann “The media plays a major role in combating a formidable foe like corruption…with the Facebook social plugin Internet and social media available, the media has become the most pervasive in relating stories about corruption,” said University of the Philippines Dean Georgina _________________ Encanto. Comics Horoscope Comments Board Passers Lotto Results Please login or register to post comments. Recent Columns GREENING DRIVE Mindanao Newsbits LAUNDRYWOMAN MILLIONAIRE Around the Nation more columns.