Congress reopens with calls for stronger gov't accountability

MANILA, Philippines - Hounded by the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam, the 16th Congress opened its second regular session on Monday ahead of President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In his opening speech, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. cited the Supreme Court rulings on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), saying these created new challenges to the legislature.

With the PDAF and the DAP declared unconstitutional, Belmonte said Congress should explore new legislative paths to bring needed resources and services to the public.

But at the same time, Belmonte also called for stronger public accountability.

"Congress holds the power of the purse - otherwise known as the power to appropriate, and its twin, the power of legislative oversight. We must now exercise these in order to strengthen accountability mechanisms and ensure the proper and lawful allocation and utilization of public funds," Belmonte said.

Belmonte also directed the Committee on Rules to study the creation of a public accounts and audit committee, with jurisdiction to call and hold to account all national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations for their use of public funds.

He said the proposed committee will also undertake legislative action to improve transparency of government operations.

At the upper chamber, Senate President Franklin Drilon urged his colleagues to work on legislation aimed at strengthening anti-graft and corruption measures, among others.

"The eyes of the people are upon us again as we open the second regular session of the 16th Congress. I view this day as our opportunity to recover the people's faith in their Senate, regain their trust and revive their confidence," Drilon said in a speech.

Drilon, however, admitted that the barrage of criticism against the Senate may have succeeded in affecting the Senate's public image.

Three members of the Senate are currently detained for allegedly amassing kickbacks through the pork barrel scam - Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr.

Several incumbent congressmen, on the other hand, have also been implicated in the alleged scam.

President Aquino also remains under fire over the DAP. He will deliver his fifth SONA later this afternoon.