6 lawmakers gave ‘pork’ to themselves – COA report

MANILA, Philippines - Of the 200 senators and congressmen who gave P6.156 billion worth of their pork barrel to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs), six practically allocated government funds for themselves through foundations that they themselves managed.

The Commission on Audit (COA) report released last Friday showed how a handful of legislators channeled their pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to their own organizations totaling P188.6 million.

Records showed that former Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Matias Defensor Jr. gave P99.5 million of his pork barrel to the Matias Defensor Foundation Sr. Inc. where he is an incorporator, member of the board of trustees, and stockholder.

Incumbent Manila 5th District Rep. Amado Bagatsing allocated the second biggest amount of PDAF worth P21.7 million to the KABAKA Foundation Inc. where the congressman is an incorporator, member of the board of directors, and stockholder.

Isabela 4th District Rep. Anthony Miranda and Malabon Rep. Federico Sandoval II likewise gave P20 million each of their pork barrel to the Pamalakaya Foundation Inc and the Aksyon Makamasa Foundation Inc. where they or their relatives are officers.

Former senator Edgardo Angara was the fifth legislator identified by the special audit report who gave P14.4 million of his PDAF to the Kalusugan ng Bata, Karunungan ng Bayan Inc. of which he is an incorporator, member of the board of directors, and stockholder.

COA Chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan, in her press briefing last Friday, said the release of pork barrel funds to NGOs, which had connections to sponsoring legislators or their relatives, is among the evidence they found on how government money is being spent without necessary safeguards.

According to her, such releases, like those given by some 12 senators and more than 180 congressmen to around 82 bogus or questionable foundations and groups, did not go through public bidding. This means lawmakers are given a free hand to choose who will use their PDAF allocations for their projects.

The COA report recommended among others that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issue “specific and stringent guidelines on the utilization of PDAF and the participation of NGOs.”

Tan said the special audit also recommended that legislators limit their participation to identification of projects and ensure that these are eligible under the terms and provisions of the General Appropriations Act.