This is the government’s version of the Freedom of Information bill.

President Aquino announced a proposed Freedom of Information bill on February 3. The draft was transmitted “by the Secretary of Budget and Management to administration coalition allies in the House of Representatives. This FOI bill is an integral element of the Aquino Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Plan of 2012-2016, which the President has recently approved subject to further refinements. This plan contains reforms and initiatives that pursue greater transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.”

“This draft bill is a result of a consultative process after careful study of similar legislation by an administration study group in order to ensure that it serves public interest without compromising government’s legitimate rights—in other words, balance legitimate needs for secrecy with the public’s right to know

The administration study group is composed of Communications Usec. Manuel L. Quezon III (lead), Sec. Ramon A. Carandang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Sec. Florencio B. Abad, and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, in coordination with the stakeholders.”. Its basis and framework was the consolidated version based, in turn, largely on the FOI bill sponsored by Rep. Erin Tañada. Extensive consultations were conducted with civil society and media proponents of FOI, as well as various agencies of the government. We believe that the draft we have submitted addresses the various concerns raised by different sectors, and will result in legislation that will strengthen the public’s access to information.

Read more about the Proposed substitute Freedom of Information bill of 2012

Proposed Substitute Freedom of Information Bill of 2012

Pamphlet Briefier Proposed FOI BIll 2012 from the administration

There are just too versions of the Philippine Cybercrime bill. Like Carlo Ople, I believe the section on child pornography is long overdue. There are just so many webcams out there featuring kids.

What worries me is the implementation. The internet’s strength was its open nature. Will it be like Tonyo says an “MTRCB for the web?” Centralising it would be a huge threat to innovation, evolution and growth of the web. Another worrisome aspect is having a cybercrime prevention unit. We can just train a few of our techno-savvy law enforcers on this.

Tonyo Cruz shared the full texts of five of the seven (?) pending House bills on “cybercrime” prevention.

House Bill 85 Proposed Cybercrime Act

House Bill 167 Proposed Cybercrime Act

House Bill 364 Proposed Cybercrime Act

House Bill 383 Proposed Cybercrime Act

House Bill 511 Proposed Cybercrime Act

Here is the Cybercrime Bill filed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: