MANILA, Philippines - True to their word, party-list representatives on Thursday revived the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill that aims to ensure public access to official records, documents and any other information of public concern.

Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares re-filed the bill before the Lower House after the 14th Congress failed to pass the measure due to lack of quorum.

Casiño challenged President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to certify the bill as urgent.

"Between 'wang-wangs' (blaring sirens) and this Freedom of Information Act, the latter is a more integral component for good governance," he told reporters.

The Freedom of Information Act was one of 34 pending measures in the Lower House that was so close to becoming a law in the last Congress.

The FOI bill aims to give the public greater access to government records and documents including government contracts, performance and expense reports.

Under the measure, government officials who fail to provide the documents within a 5-day period could be fined P20,000 or face jail time from 6 months to 6 years.

Casiño said he is confident that the measure will finally be passed into law under the Aquino administration.

"Kung sa ilalim nga ni Gloria Arroyo nakapasa ito, what more sa ilalim ni Pangulong Aquino," he said.