Cayetano on pork abolition: Pre-audit of projects,FOI passage instead

ALBURQUERQUE, BOHOL, Philippines – A pre-audit of all projects prior to their implementation and the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) should be carried out to prevent government funds from being abused or squandered by congressmen and senators.

These were the measures proposed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano amid talks on possible abolition of the pork barrel fund or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Cayetano, who visited Bohol recently in fulfillment of his campaign promise, said he had filed a resolution in the Senate calling for the abolition of the pork barrel, a move that he hoped that his proposed measures will gain support from his colleagues following the calls of some sectors.

But he said that a system that is “workable and acceptable to the public” should be in place in lieu of the pork barrel funds, which he however agreed to be intended for the public’s good.

“No more lump sum of pork barrel funds that are vulnerable to corruption among the solons,” he said, adding that,  in his case, he no longer has of these funds but was able to attend to the needs of hospitals in various LGUs.

Cayetano, the Senate majority leader, meanwhile expressed doubts on the reported special treatment of Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the multi-billion pork barrel scam.

He told the media here that there should have been no special treatment on Napoles, as detainees should be equally treated. “Hindi ko maiitindihan ‘yan,” the senator said about reports on this matter. —photo by Ric V. Obedencio (FREEMAN)