Senators back sale of military assets for COVID fight

MANILA, Philippines — Senators backed yesterday suggestions to sell some idle military properties to help fund programs to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and prop up the economy.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said he supports President Duterte’s plan to look for idle government assets to raise funds.

“I agree with (the President) that all options should be considered because what is at stake is our people as well as the country’s survival,” Lacson said.

He said he was open to selling golf courses inside military camps to private developers and “other out-of-the-box ideas” as long as the physical security of military facilities will not be compromised.

“These are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures, including quick and harsh punishments for gross incompetence but especially against those who steal and take advantage public funds intended to save us from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, chairman of the committee on public order and security, said he was also supporting the sale of idle assets, including some military properties “as long as there is complete transparency in every transaction.”

Dela Rosa recalled the Ar-med Forces Modernization Program in the mid-1990s that was supposed to be funded by the sale of government assets but was delayed due to issues on the use of funds.

Opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay challenged Duterte over the weekend to sell sprawling military golf courses in prime locations as part of government efforts to raise billions to fund the stimulus package for a vast majority of the population. 

“He (Duterte) could start by auctioning off the golf courses in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Villamor Air Base and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center,” Lagman said. 

According to Lagman, sale of these three golf courses that cover approximately 150 hectares of prime real estate at the heart of Metro Manila could easily fetch more than P150 billion.

This amount to be derived from the sale of government properties, according to Lagman, forms part of the P1-trillion economic stimulus fund he proposed to the Duterte administration. 

A law is also in place, in particular the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (RA 7227) whose mandate is to convert part of military bases into alternative productive civilian use, Lagman said.  

House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. said the government could sell its prized assets instead of impose new taxes on the people to raise funds to combat COVID-19.

“Selling government assets to augment government funds for Covid-19 response is much better than new taxes. Selling government assets is preferable to new taxes,” Abante said.

Abante, a Manila congressman, vowed to oppose any proposal to impose new taxes when Congress resumes session on May 4, even as economic managers aim to raise P1 trillion to cushion the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He might support the proposal to sell government assets, particularly those that belong to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), but he urged the administration to offer to sell those assets to Filipino companies.  

“If we can sell those assets we should prioritize private Filipino companies. Why don’t we offer to Filipinos first before offering to foreigners?” he suggested. 

Abante added, however, that the Philippine Competition Commission should ensure that the sale of these government assets to Filipino companies would not result in monopolies or cartels.  – With Delon Porcalla