Sitoy clarifies he supports newsletter, TV channel

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy has clarified that he is seeking for investigation only on the “indiscriminate spending” of provincial funds and not specific programs.

Sitoy made the clarification following reports that he is seeking investigation on some of Capitol’s expenditures such as Sugbo News, Sugbo TV, and the Suroy-Suroy Tourism Caravan.

“Ang ako gipa-imbes-tigar ang indiscriminate spending of provincial funds. We want to put a stop gap on that so that provincial funds can be applied to government projects which we think a priority to the Province of Cebu,” Sitoy told The FREEMAN.

The PB has been lambasted by commentaries why it has done nothing on Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s extending millions of financial assistance to calamity stricken provinces and the restoration of Balili property without the concurrence of the board.

This prompted Sitoy to deliver a privilege speech in last Monday’s session along with his resignation as minority floor leader after gaining allies in the PB.

Sitoy emphasized that his call for investigation on indiscriminate spending is in aid of legislation to come up with a policy that will guide them in deliberating the next budget.

A resolution calling for such investigation will be formally filed by Sitoy on Monday.

“Because of the media, we realized that really it’s true that we have to act on our role as fiscalizer to the executive branch,” Sitoy said.

Sitoy’s motive was reportedly suspicious with barely nine months before the 2013 elections while the “questioned” projects have been around for quite a while.

“I’m not trying to eliminate them as programs of the government, in fact I’m calling for their institutionalization,” he said.

Sitoy has pending proposed ordinances institutionalizing the Suroy Suroy Sugbo, Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, Sugbo News and other programs initiated by Garcia.

In the case of Sugbo TV and Sugbo News, Sitoy is proposing the establishment of an editorial board involving private sector’s participation and the inclusion of development communication as part of its guiding principle.

The issues to be published and aired should be geared towards supporting development projects and not entirely involving promotional ads, said Sitoy.

“Ang ako lang gibuhat, these programs are good but kinahanglan lang nga i-revisit lang ang pamaagi sa pag-implement karon, akong gusto nga i-apil ang concepts of good governance,” Sitoy said. (We need to revisit the way these programs are implemented because I want to include concepts on good governance.)

Sitoy mentioned participation, accountability, responsibility and transparency as elements of good governance. —(FREEMAN)