Despite making an assurance that the freedom of information (FOI) bill will be passed, President Benigno Aquino 3rd has shown no inclination to push for its immediate enactment.

The President, who has not yet decided whether to certify the measure as urgent, said that Malacañang already provided its inputs to the bill and is now only waiting for the final output from the House of Representatives.

“Well, tatanungin nga natin, ilang araw na lang [ang] natitira sa session ng Kongreso pagpasok. ‘Di ba, proseso nila ‘yan [Well, we will ask, there are only a few session days left for Congress. But that is their process, right]?” Aquino said.

“Naibigay na namin ang inputs namin sa FOI. Ang pagkaintindi ko’y matatanggap ‘yung mga amendments na minungkahi namin so hinihintay na namin ‘yung finished na output [We have already given our inputs on the FOI. My understanding is that they have accepted the amendments that we have proposed, so we are waiting for the finished output],” the President added.

Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao province and Rep. Walden Bello of Akbayan party-list earlier said that a “green light” from the Chief Executive is needed to propel the passage of the bill before the 15th Congress ends in June 2013.

“For the FOI, there’s a need to finish the period of interpellations and debates before Malacañang will certify it. My reading of Malacañang is it wants a certain tipping point to be achieved before it commits to certification,” Baguilat said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Aquino said that the kasambahay bill, which is one of the administration’s priority legislations, has yet to reach his desk for his signature.

“Hindi pa umabot sa mesa ko ‘yung kasambahay bill, pero may mga other bills na dumaan na at inaprubahan na natin [The kasambahay bill has yet to reach my desk but there were other bills that were submitted to me and were approved already],” the President said.