Cayetano bats for tougher sanctions vs fake ‘pork’ recipients

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has called for the imposition of tougher sanctions against entities that misuse legislators’ priority development assistance fund (PDAF) or pork barrel.

He said tougher sanctions on pork barrel misuse would ensure that the fund would go to the people who need it.

Cayetano urged his colleagues to file appropriate charges against fake non-government organizations and contractors that were able to get their hands on their PDAF.

He said these entities should be blacklisted so that other legislators would be able to make informed decisions on the release of their PDAF.

“We need to send a strong message that PDAF funds are a tool to help poor families and communities, and not to enrich anyone,” Cayetano said.

In its review of the use of the PDAF of legislators in 2011, the Commission on Audit (COA) found that some P195 million of three senators went to what was believed to be a bogus NGO.

The COA revealed that the PDAF of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. went to the Pangkabuhayan Foundation Inc., an NGO that had questionable transactions.

By charging these entities and blacklisting them, Cayetano said the PDAF could be saved from irregularities.

“Through this, we can help assure the people that their money is going to worthwhile institutions aimed at creating jobs and improving our communities,” he said.

He also called on the COA to help ensure an NGO’s capacity to fully utilize the PDAF by conducting a strict and thorough internal audit of their track record and capabilities.