PCGG employees favor its abolition

Chairman Haydee Yorac of the Presidential Commission on Good Government assumes her post today amid calls in Congress and the PCGG itself for the agency’s abolition.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said Yo-rac’s assumption of office was delayed because President Arroyo had allowed her to complete her work with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, which was a citizen’s watchdog in the last elections.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III has filed a bill seeking the PCGG’s abolition because he believes the agency has failed for over 15 years now to fulfill its mandate to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies.

The PCGG can only be abolished through an act of Congress because it was created in 1986 by then President Corazon Aquino in the exercise of her legislative powers under a revolutionary government, which was set up immediately following the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos in February that year.

Edilberto Reyes, president of the PCGG Employees Association, told The STAR yesterday a survey showed 101 out of 143 PCGG employees "have signified their interest" to support the passage of Osmeña’s bill.

"The worker’s union has not taken a stand on this," Reyes said. "But it is our personal opinion, myself included, that the PCGG can be abolished only when there is a valid reason and if we can get our benefits."

Reyes said the survey intended to get the "personal view" of PCGG employees in the wake of the growing call for the agency to be disbanded.

He said most PCGG employees are afraid that their benefits would be jeopardized once Congress passes a law disbanding the agency.

The survey was initiated by Gavino Malobago, former president of the PCGG Employees Association.

Malobago said in a memorandum that PCGG employees "interpose no objection" to the agency’s abolition if the purpose of Congress is meritorious.

"All employees, whether permanent, co-terminus, contractual, casual, and expense entitlement be given an abolition and separation pay of three months per year of service without prejudice to retirement benefits," read the memorandum. –Sheila Crisostomo