SENATORS are poised to open plenary debates on the awaited Freedom of Information bill when Congress reconvenes on January 16 with its chief sponsor, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, expecting that Palace endorsement of the measure would enlist majority support among lawmakers to speed up its passage “by the first quarter of the year.”

Honasan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information, disclosed they were just waiting the Palace proposed provisions for inclusion in the consolidated committee report on the FOI bill that he plans to submit for plenary consideration shortly after Congress resumes regular sessions on January 16.

He said his committee will no longer conduct any more public hearings on the refilled FOI bill since all that needs to be done is to consolidate the proposals coming from different sectors in the report that will be the submitted for plenary consideration and approval.

Honasan confirmed he was “closely coordinating” with the Palace Communications Group in Malacañang, led by Secretaries Ramon Carandang and Herminio Coloma and the committee is just waiting for the final proposals they want included in the “working draft” of the FOI bill.

“And, hopefully, ngayon na may categorical na suporta na ang ating Pangulo, tingin ko ay mapapabilis ito. And hopefully, too, itong first quarter ng taong ito, mai-report na natin at maging smooth ang pagpapasa nito.”

Honasan sees no need for further public hearings saying only procedural issues were left to be addressed. “Actually procedural na lang ito; iko-consolidate na lang natin. Ang mahalaga lang naman eh kinonsulta din natin iyong advocacy groups, iyong Right-to-Know, Right Now, composed of 100 nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups, as well as representatives of media outfits, that will help us bring the issue of transparency to the people.”

Honasan indicated that the re-filed FOI bill stands a 70 percent to 90 percent chance of getting passed in the current Congress, more so with the virtual “marching orders” from the Palace for administration lawmakers to support its early enactment into law.

He credited Liberal Party Rep. Erin Tañada of Quezon for ably shepherding the FOI bill in the House of Representatives but added that the public endorsement of the Palace was a big boost for its early approval

“Siyempre malaking bagay kung may suporta ang Pangulong Aquino dahil ito ang magiging marching orders ng mga kaalyado at kapartido ng ating Pangulo,” said Honasan. “Bagamat public interest ang nakasalalay dito, malaking bagay yung klaro at categorical na public statement ng Pangulo para bumilis ito.”

Honasan also readily absolved Malacañang for the delay in passing the FOI bill that got stuck in the House of Represenatives in the last Congress. “Hindi naman ito kasalanan ng Malacañang,” he said recalling the point made by Sen. Joker Arroyo.

“Sinabi ni Senator Joker, pag-administration ka parang ayaw mo ng FOI bill dahil kukulitin at kukulitin ka. Kung taga-opposition ka naman at fiscalizer ka gusto mo ng FOI bill dahil lagi kang may paraan at may bala para mangulit,” Honasan said.

“Ngayon naman eh nasa daang matuwid tayo, anti-corruption ang isa sa mga matingkad na plataporma nitong kasalukuyang administrasyon, makakatulong talaga itong FOI bill.”

He explained that under the so-called People’s Ownership of Government Information Bill, or Pogi Bill, the law will require a government agency refusing to release information to explain to the court why it is withholding such information, instead of the requesting party as presently practiced.