No more private posts for gov’t men — Flavier

Two senators have filed separate bills seeking to stop government officials from becoming officials of private corporations to avoid conflict of interest.

Despite possible opposition from his colleagues, administration Sen. Juan Flavier said yesterday he would push for the passage of a bill prohibiting lawmakers from holding directorship positions in private corporations and other profit-oriented organizations.

On the other hand, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon is seeking an amendment to Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, to lengthen the period of prohibited employment among Cabinet members.

Under the proposal, Cabinet members would not be allowed to engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution or by law. They also cannot recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise having a regular or pending official transaction with their office.

In Senate Bill No. 68, Flavier seeks to ban senators and congressmen from occupying positions in private corporations during their incumbency, with or without compensation.

"I don’t know if this will pass because I know some of my colleagues are bank directors. This is not to deny the private sector the best and the brightest; this is to ensure that the people will come first and last in the actuations of their legislators," he said.

Flavier said his move is in line with the provision of the Constitution which states, "A public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice and lead modest lives."

He said RA 6713 has some "gray areas," one of which is the holding by government officials of positions in profit-oriented companies.

Flavier said he himself had been offered directorships in such companies but that he turned down the offers "because as members of Congress, senators and congressmen have tremendous influence in the passage as well as the particular thrust and direction, of pieces of legislation."

"Such legislative enactment can provide benefits, incentives, exemptions and other multiplicity of favors to various sectors of the economy and society," he said.

Under Biazon’s proposal, meanwhile, Cabinet members "should not own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant, counsel, broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised or licensed by their office unless allowed by law."

Biazon noted that a member of the Cabinet is "considered an alter ego of the President" and as such, he acquires vital information not available to others which makes him "very attractive" to foreign corporations.