MANILA, Philippines - Voting 17-0, the Senate on Monday, December 17, approved the Freedom of Information bill on 3rd and final reading.

The Senate did not disclose other details as of posting.

Last December 11, the FOI breezed through the Senate on 2nd reading.

Sponsor Sen Gregorio Honasan II said passing the bill on second reading was the easy part. The Senate version of the FOI bill is formally called the People’s Ownership of Government Information (POGI) Act of 2012.

The POGI bill aims to institute transparency and accountability by giving the public access to government records and information, and recognizing the people’s right to know.

The House of Representatives, however, has not been as fast. It only approved the counterpart bill on 1st reading last week. Members of the House plan to continue the debates next year. - Rappler.com