Aquino sends new freedom of information bill to Congress

“You know, having a freedom of information act sounds so good and noble but at the same time—I think you’ll notice that here in this country—there’s a tendency to get information and not really utilizing it for the proper purposes,” President Benigno Aquino III said during an open forum at the gathering of Southeast Asian leaders last September.

During the 14th Congress, the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill but the House of Representatives failed to do so due to a lack of quorum on its last session day.

Several versions of FOI bill were filed in the 15th Congress and have been pending at the committee level in both the House and the Senate.

The measure seeks to allow the public to obtain records of government transactions, meetings and other businesses, a right enshrined in the Constitution.

The measure also provides a definite procedure in dealing with requests for information and seeks to penalize officials denying access to information, according to House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, a principal author of the FOI bill.

Military fails to get bodies of slain terror leaders

Regional military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said the soldiers who approached the bombed area in Parang town faced dogged resistance from surviving Abu Sayyaf members.
“There is intermittent fire, the area is not yet secured,” Cabangbang told a national television in a telephone interview.

Who is President Noynoy Aquino’s New Date? A New Girlfriend?

Who is President Noynoy Aquino'snew date? (Credit: Inquirer.net) PNoy is dating again. That’s what local media outlets are announcing. But who is Noynoy Aquino dating? Who is PNoy’s new “girlfriend”? Her identity remains a mystery to most of us but I’m sure Palace insiders know who she is. President NoyNoy Aquino was spotted at the Dusit Thani Hotel with his new date while they watched a reunion concert of the Hotdog Band.

Among those with PNoy at the concert were Mar Roxas, Palace spokesman Ricky Carandang, aand several other government officials. Asked by the media who PNoy’s new date is, Carandang was evasive.

“I saw her. I didn’t meet her. I didn’t know who she was. We were with a large group of people. I was not in the same people. I didn’t have a chance to meet her or talk to her. I arrived separately so I suppose he introduced her to everyone else.”

The Inquirer posted a picture of President Noynoy and his date on its website, and a copy has been posted here. Anyone know who she is?

President Noynoy Aquino glad ex-girlfriend Shalani Soledad has finally "found someone"

"Ako kasi, tinatanong ko pa rin sa sarili ko, 'How do people find each other?' Siya, nasagot na niya," says President Noynoy Aquino about Councilor Shalani Soledad's engagement to Congressman Roman Romulo.Noel Orsa President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is glad that his ex-girlfriend, Valenzuela City councilor and TV host Shalani Soledad, has finally "found someone."

This came after PNoy—who is now in New York for the launch of Open Government Partnership (OGP)—was asked by ABS-CBN News if he will attend Shalani's wedding to Pasig City representative Roman Romulo next year.
He said, "Kapag sinagot ko ang tanong mong 'yan, para ko namang sinabi na imbitahin n'yo ako.
"Pag sinabi kong di ako dadalo, parang sasabihin n'yo may sama ako ng loob... walang tamang sagot diyan."
PNoy then recalled a song that he likes.
"You know, I like the song 'Got To Believe In Magic.'
"There's this line there that says, 'Tell me how two people find each other.'
"Well, now she [Shalani Soledad] found someone.
"Ako kasi, tinatanong ko pa rin sa sarili ko, 'How do people find each other?'
"Siya, nasagot na niya."
It was last September 2 when rumors about Shalani and Romulo came out.
The couple were spotted in Baclaran church and at The Peninsula Manila Hotel. (CLICK HERE to read related article.)
Last September 14, Romulo announced that he is already engaged to Shalani.
According to Romulo, he proposed to Shalani at the Our Lady of Fatima church in Valenzuela City. 
The wedding is set early next year.