Aquino junks FoI, says it will be misused By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/01/2011

Aquino junks FoI, says it will be misused

By Virgilio J. Bugaoisan 10/01/2011
With the congressional leaders agreeing to list, as one of Congress’ priority bills, the Freedom of Information bill, there was an instant reaction from President Aquino, who came up with yet another excuse not to have this bill prioritized and conjuring up images of dangerous situations as a result of an FoI Act.

Aquino stressed that while he wants Filipinos to be completely informed, he also wants to make sure that the idea of a little knowledge leading to a “lot of danger” won’t happen here.

But he admitted that he has gone cold on the FoI bill because of fears that providing the public with access to government documents might not be put to good use and instigate panic or even cause harm to certain people.

He failed to explain why such access to public documents can instigate panic and cause harm to certain people, obviously referring to his officials, since these are public and government documents and that, if everything is above-board, an FoI should not create any panic in government officials, including himself, nor cause harm to them..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20111001hed2.html