Sen. Francis Escudero, vice presidential running mate of Sen. Grace Poe, made this assurance in a press conference here recently, as he cited such law as one of three measures he and Poe are eyeing as top measures to curb graft and corruption in the government.
Escudero said that despite the cases filed by the Aquino government against big-time personalities, including former Pres. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo and Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, corruption has persisted in the government because anti-corruption measures have been “institutionalized.”
The passage of the FOI bill would help institutionalize efforts against graft and corruption, he stressed.
“We want the FOI passed into law in the first 100 days of the Poe administration,” he said.
Escudero also stressed that need to minimize “areas of discretion” in government offices. “In the Bureau of Customs, for example, shipments that arriveare not immediately processed. The policy should be first in, first out to remove areas for corruption,” he said.
He also cited the need to enforce punishment on anyone found to be involved in government anomalies, regardless of how small the case is.
This, even as Escudero also dismissed critics who say he would run the government for Grace Poe should they both win in the coming polls.
“That’s an insult not only to Grace but also to women,” he said, noting that Poe has proven her “independence” on many occasions.
He noted that at least five times, Poe had turned down the invitation of the President himself to run under the Liberal Party in this May’s elections, despite the fact that she won as senator under such party.
“I don’t think even her mother (actress Susan Roces) can dictate to her,” he added.
