Solon bats for "absolute transparency" in use of pork barrel

Press Release
July 10, 2010

QUEZON CITY  –  Amid the brewing dispute over the proposed cutback in the pork barrel of members of Congress, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. is pushing for "greater transparency and public accountability" in the use of the funds, in accordance with President Aquino's pledge to fight malfeasance.

"We should encourage if not require the full publication of all pork barrel-funded projects. This way, the public will be able to see clearly how their representatives and senators are spending the funds," Barzaga said.

"Let us publish the specific use of the allocations every six months in national newspapers, and post them on the web sites of the House and the Senate, for all to see and scrutinize," Barzaga said.

"If district constituents are not happy with the way their representative is spending the money, they can remove the official in the next elections. If there are anomalies such as ghost or overpriced projects, they can readily file the appropriate complaints," he said.

Barzaga said his proposal "is also consistent with the new administration's promise to improve governance."

"In fact, this is precisely the 'openness in matters of public interest' being sought by the proposed Freedom of Information bill," he added.

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III, spokesperson of Mr. Aquino's Liberal Party, wants to lower by as much as P10-billion the Priority Assistance Development Fund (PDAF) of legislators to help the new administration cover the budget deficit and avert the imposition of new taxes.

However, the incoming House minority leader, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, immediately rejected the proposed pork barrel cutback, calling it "flawed, cosmetic, counterproductive and anti-poor."

"Personally, I have no problem with slashing the pork barrel, as long as it done fairly and equitably, to include the executive branch, in the spirit of burden-sharing," Barzaga said.

Barzaga nonetheless stressed the need for the new administration to draw up a definite strategy to address this year's projected P300-billion gap between government spending and income.

"If the deficit is P300 billion, should we bridge it with P150 billion in extra revenue collections, and a P150-billion budget cut? Or should we just lessen the budget by P300 billion?" Barzaga said.

Barzaga pointed out that Kim Henares, the new chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, had already vowed to increase annual tax collections by P150 billion, by simply running after tax dodgers, corrupt agents and smugglers.

Barzaga also noted that Mr. Aquino's advisers previously claimed they expect to generate up to P400 billion in annual savings as a result of reduced corruption.