We thought that the main job of the President was to execute the laws of the land.

After all, he is also referred to as the Chief Executive.

How wrong we were. We quickly forgot that he can also issue presidential decrees, proclamations, and executive orders.

Of course, the President can also sponsor or declare as urgent a bill sponsored by his congressional allies.  

This makes all three branches of government – Excecutive, Legislative, and Judiciary – all law-making bodies.

After being roundly criticized for being silent on the Freedom of Information bill in his State-of-the Nation Address, President Aquino announced the drafting of his administration’s own FOI.

He assured the people that the administration is finalizing its version of the FOI bill, which would – get this — protect the interests of government to secure confidential data while enhancing the public’s right to know.

“This right to know carries with it responsibilities – to use the information available in context; to present facts fairly; and to be conscious of some elements who may want to use the information not to inform the public, but to, rather, inflame them,” the President was quoted by major broadsheet as saying.

But isn’t this a case of an irresistible force coming into contact with an immovable object? A case of irreconcilable differences?

Media is duty-bound to scrutinize official action on behalf of the people. But all administrations cover their tracks to ensure their survival.   

By the way the chief proponent of the FOI bill in Congress, quite ironically,  is the President’s own political ally and Liberal Partymate Rep. Erin Tanada.

Still, the President said the government is close to suggesting legislation that balances the concerns of many stakeholders and at the same time truly empower the citizenry towards coming up with informed decisions, consistent with the 1987 Constitution.

“Once this bill is passed into law, the media will have greater access to all kinds of sensitive information. It is incumbent on you to use this access carefully and responsibly,” the President said.

“Partnership does not mean that we want media to be lapdogs of government; at the same time, media shouldn’t allow themselves to be used as attack dogs either,” the President said, adding that the media’s ultimate role is to be a watchdog of the government.

“We are carefully studying the details of such legislation in order to ensure that it serves the public interest without compromising it,” said the President.“I would like to take this opportunity to commend all those who strive to listen to all sides of a story before forming what can be considered a balanced news report.”