Bataoil doesn’t mind losing pork barrel
LINGAYEN–Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil is unperturbed about the possibility of the removal of the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) or pork barrel stressing this should not detract congressmen from their main duty of legislation.
“It doesn’t matter to me kung ma-retain ‘yon o mawala sa’kin. Naniniwala ako na sa kaukulang pondo na ibinibigay para sa aming operations – sweldo ng mga tauhan – ay makakayanan naming gampanan iyong aming mga tungkulin,” said Bataoil.
He pointed out that their main duty as legislators is to create, amend, and pass laws in support of the executive for the benefit of the people.
“What we can do is to make sure through public hearings that the funds will go to the priority development programs identified by the executive branch,” Bataoil said.
However, Bataoil said that in case the pork is finally abolished, the government should make every effort to explain alternative schemes for projects that were normally covered by the PDAF.
“Kase hahanapan kami ng taong bayan,”he added.
Calls for the abolition of the pork barrel, long been perceived as a source of corruption, recently gained steam after a reported large-scale anomaly involving a private group that allegedly siphoned billions worth of the PDAF.
“We are saddened that there are these kind of scams reportedly perpetrated by congressmen and senators but in fairness to them, probably there might have been just a mistake in the implementation,” Bataoil said.
If the PDAF is retained, Bataoil said, “I will continue to make sure that I that the fund will be used properly for its rightful purpose.”
The PDAF –with each member of the House of Representatives getting P70 million and each senator P200million pesos annually – is intended to bankroll projects not covered in the national budget under the premise that legislators, especially the reps, have their ears closer to the ground on the urgent needs of the communities.
Meanwhile, Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr. expressed his disapproval of the proposed abolition saying, “I think we should only put safeguards in this pork barrel system. If properly used and judiciously accounted for, this will go a long way to help improve the lives of the people.”- Johanne R. Macob and Dada Martin Austria
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