Debate proposed to settle House committee contest

A pro-administration lawmaker proposed yesterday a debate between the two main contenders to head the powerful House committee on appropriations.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said Representatives Joey Salceda of Albay and Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur both appear to be sincere in crafting the national budget.

"Why not ask the two gentlemen to present their programs so (members of the House) will know what they intend to do when they are in the (committee on appropriations)," he said.

However, Pichay, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats regional chairman for the Caraga Region, said the two protagonists do not appear to be enthusiastic over his proposal.

Andaya wants the matter put to a vote on the floor.

"It (debate) may be advisable, but this is not just a matter between me and Joey," said Andaya. "Botohan na lang."

On the other hand, Salceda said he will only agree to a debate if Andaya is willing to do so.

"The President and the Speaker are both leaders of the same party so there are vigorous efforts to ensure the resolution of this matter," he said.

Andaya, a key member of the Liberal Party, is reportedly supported by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., while Salceda is being backed by Mrs. Arroyo.

During the last Congress, Andaya headed the committee on appropriations.

Salceda is a member of Mrs. Arroyo’s Economic Managers’ Group.

‘Screen Nominees To Govt Firms’

Andaya urged Malacañang yesterday to screen nominees to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to ensure that they would minimize the losses of these firms.

"Their (board of directors and government appointees) mission order is not to milk these firms for their personal benefit, but to make them profitable," he said.

"This the reason why the Palace nominees in the boards of government corporations must take a vow of austerity and forgo their excessive perks that include bonuses, signing privileges, foreign travel and luxury car plans."

Andaya said Malacañang should enforce its earlier directive to cut the allowances and other perks of government appointees to "juicy corporations."

Andaya said some GOCCs require subsidies estimated at P6 billion a year just to keep them afloat.

"And yet some of their directors and top echelon officials are appropriating money for themselves as if their corporations were as profitable as San Miguel Corporation," he said.

Andaya said a 2002 study submitted to the Department of Budget and Management showed that some chief executive officers of government firms have been receiving millions of pesos in discretionary allowance yearly.

Andaya said 12 GOCCs have been racking up a losses of P169.9 billion between 2001 and 2003. Some of them even bloat the public debt as in the case of the National Power Corp., he added.