Mexico City – Mexico's Congress has approved freedom of information legislation that will allow public access to data from almost any entity that receives government funding. The measure was passed last week in the lower house on a 264-68 vote and now goes to the president for his signature.

Mexicans can currently use freedom-of-information requests to get data from government agencies. But the new law now also covers requests to unions, political parties and government-supported councils and commissions.

The law sets down rules for the classifying of information as confidential or a state secret, designations that have allowed some agencies to skirt information access rules.

According to lawmakers, who approved the legislation exactly as it was passed by the Senate, this law "establishes the principles and rules to ensure the right of access to information held by any authority."

The legislation also provides for the creation of a National Transparency System, which will feature an Internet platform where citizens may consult all available public information, which must be provided by government agencies, autonomous bodies, unions, political parties and obligated entities.

Among the topics that must be included on this electronic platform are a directory of public servants, gross and net pay of public servants, constituent representation expenses and allowances, and the total number of office staff, personal staff and consultants.

President Enrique Peña Nieto wrote in his Twitter account that the law "will strengthen the accountability of the Mexican government and combat corruption."