Pimentel lauded on Senate probe of government funds

MANILA, Philippines - An advocacy group lauded Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday for initiating a legislative inquiry on reports of alleged use of nearly P6 million in government funds by a self-proclaimed consumerist group.

The Center for Organizational Studies and Advocacy (COSA), cited the relevance of Senate Resolution 1242 filed recently by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. in “promoting transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds.”

COSA chief advocate Rafael de la Torre batted for immediate action by the Senate on Pimentel’s measure seeking legislative inquiry in aid of legislation into the reported use by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) of more than P5.8 million in consumer education funds (CEF) released by the state-run Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC).

“I fully support Senator Pimentel’s proposition that transparency and accountability in the disbursement of public funds to private entities like the Nasecore should be strengthened further to curb indiscriminate waste of scarce government resources,” De la Torre stressed.

“Perhaps, it is also appropriate that the Commission on Audit should be asked to determine if Nasecore observed set guidelines in spending the P5.8 million CEF,” the lawyer added.

De la Torre said Nasecore should not only be required to account for “every peso of the P5.8 million, but also show proofs that it has the legal personality to enter into a contract with the government.”

In filing SR 1242, Pimentel invoked the constitutional provision prohibiting the use of public funds for private purposes and asked the appropriate Senate committee to look into Nasecore’s accountability.

He also adverted to the Government Procurement Reform Act which provides that any procurement by government departments, agencies, and institutions, as well as state-owned or controlled corporations should be governed by the principles of transparency and competitiveness by extending equal opportunity to enable private contracting parties to participate in the bidding process.