MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Commission on Good Government on Thursday expressed surprise over the statement of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno that the agency is irrelevant and should be abolished.
“PCGG is surprised at the recent questions regarding its performance, relevance, and efficiency,” said the agency created in 1986 to run after the ill-gotten wealth of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his family and cronies.
READ: PCGG chief: Agency abolition up to president
The PCGG noted that it was awarded as the best performing agency under the Department of Justice, and has effectively raised non-tax revenue significantly higher than its annual budget.
An infographic released by the commission showed that it recovered P57.1 billion in 2012, P631 million in 2013, P1.57 billion in 2014, P14.01 billion in 2015 and P481.95 billion in 2016.
In comparison, the annual budget of the agency were P93 million in 2012, P102 million in 2013, P106 million in 2014, P101 million in 2015, and P104 million in 2016.
“Why is there a question on its budget and relevance when PCGG's cost to recovery ratio is exemplary as shown by these numbers? Of all agencies?” said the PCGG.
Diokno on Wednesday alleged that the PCGG “don’t do anything” and should be abolished.
He said its functions maybe absorbed by the DOJ.
READ: SolGen told: PCGG not irrelevant
A pending legislation also proposes the merging of the responsibilities of the PCGG with that of the Office of the Solicitor General.