Manila: Sen. Robinhood Padilla on Monday renewed his call for support from the House of Representatives after the Senate once again approved the proposed People's Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senate Bill No. 1432, a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), was passed with 22 affirmative votes and no opposition, marking its second approval in the Senate after failing to advance in the House in previous Congresses.

'Isang bagay po ito na hinihingi ng ating mga kababayan, ang magkaroon po sila ng access, magkaroon po sila ng pagkakataon na makita ang mga bagay na dapat ay nakikita nila lalo na kapag may kinalaman sa gobyerno (This is something our people are asking for - access to information that they ought to know, especially those involving government),' Padilla said in his manifestation.

Padilla appealed for the cooperation of House lawmakers to ensure the measure's passage, stressing that the right to information is guaranteed under the Constitution and remains a long-standing demand of the public.

'Kaya muli po, Ginoong Pangulo, ako po yung humihingi ng tulong sa inyo upang masabihan ang ating mga kasama sa Kamara na susuportahan po ang panukalang ito (Once again, Mr. President, I am asking for your help to convey to our colleagues in the House to support this measure),' Padilla said.

The bill institutionalizes public access to official records across all branches of government and mandates disclosure of key transactions and financial documents.

Padilla said the measure aims to remove long-standing barriers to transparency, while empowering citizens to scrutinize government actions and participate more actively in governance.