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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Legarda backs passage into law of FOI bill

Legarda backs passage into law of FOI bill

Published Jun 22, 2023 06:46 am
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Thursday, June 22 said she has no qualms supporting any moves to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill into law.    Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda (Senate PRIB Photo)  President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently called on all branches of government to uphold freedom of information in their operations saying this “is our best interest as a nation.” Marcos also vowed to the International Conference of Information Commissioners that the Philippines will continue to promote freedom of information. Legarda, a former broadcast journalist before becoming a politician, pursued the passage of the FOI bill during the 16th and 17th Congresses. The measure hurled past the third and final reading in the Senate, but not in the House of Representatives. “As a former journalist, as a former (news) producer , as an on-cam personality, I research, write, produce, everything. I value information; information is knowledge, ang makakapagpalaya sa atin ay tamang impormasyon (only true information will set us free),” Legarda said in an interview with Senate reporters. But she also acknowledge the importance of social media as it is also instrument in disseminating information to a large number of people. While there are good aspects of social media, Legarda agreed it is hard to correct wrong information. “I know the importance of information…Whether misinformation or wrong information, it has no place in the society,” Legarda said.  “Information is knowledge and it should be shared. Any false or wrong information that is shared can destroy,” she stressed. Legarda said she favors institutionalizing the Freedom of Information (FOI) as long as “people will take it to heart” and value it.

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