City dad: Fundraisers should be transparent

Cebu City Councilor Hilario Davide III is pushing for the passage of a proposal making it mandatory for fundraisers to publish the records of the money contributed by the public.

Davide's measure is in response to complaints that financial donations from the public were misappropriated, or that nothing more is heard from the fundraisers after the activity.

"There should be a thorough financial report of the fundraiser or fund drive, otherwise the public would continue to be victims of questionable fundraisers," his proposal stated.

Davide emphasized that while many contribute voluntarily, others are merely compelled to do so because of the influence of the position of the soliciting institution's head.

Davide said the city "witnesses" several fundraising drives initiated reportedly to generate funds for projects or activities or programs, but there are many instances in which the head of the fundraising drive is a high government official.

"In the end, the government too, would be deprived of revenues as some contributions are deductible expenses for purposes of income tax," said Davide, who wanted to make it a city policy to protect the integrity of fundraising activities.

The councilor's measure requires fundraisers to publish in a local newspaper within 30 days the names of the contributors, the amount donated and the expenses incurred within 60 days following the fundraising activity.

Under the proposed ordinance, failure to comply with the requirements means a fine of P500 to P2,000 or imprisonment of 30 days to three months, or both at the court's discretion. - Cristina C. Birondo