GOCCs outlays slated for new Senate check

The operations of some of the 157 government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) will be placed in another round of scrutiny by the Senate.

Sen. Franklin Drilon, finance committee chairman, said the Senate will immediately activate the newly formed oversight committee on public expenditures to monitor the use or misuse of GOCC funds on unwarranted bonuses and fat allowances.

“We will buckle down to work at once upon the opening of Congress this coming new year,” the senator said.

Drilon initiated the conduct of series of inquiries into the fat perks and allowances of GOCC executives as well as excessive use of its funds shortly after the Aquino administration was ushered in last year.

Among those found to have been giving out numerous bonuses to its executives were the Social Security System (SSS) and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

The oversight committee, created pursuant to Resolution 18 of the 15th Congress, counts as members Senators Ralph Recto, Manny Villar Jr., Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Francis Escudero, Teofisto Guingona III and minority leader Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

There are now 35 existing oversight committees at the Senate alone.

In the 15th Congress, the Senate under Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile created two oversight committees, the select oversight committee on intelligence funds, programs and activities and the oversight committee on public expenditures.

Already, there are 37 standing committees at the Senate which were the subjects of tug-of-war for chairmanships at the start of the 15th Congress.

The creation of the new oversight committee entailed the allocation of additional budget.

Drilon said there will be a regular conduct of review for every GOCC, including those agencies which have regulatory powers.

Under its mandate, the oversight committee requires the submission of expenditure reports from government agencies to ensure transparency. The body is also tasked to review and evaluate expenditure reports against budget, approve the budget for the program of the oversight

committee and all disbursements from the budget, including the compensation of all personnel; assess inherent weaknesses in existing laws and initiate necessary remedial legislation or executive measures; among others.

The oversight committee is empowered to require government agencies, and GOCCs to submit expenditures reports and other information necessary in ensuring transparency and accountability.

The committee can also write or summon by subpoena ad testificandum any public official, private citizen and other person to testify before it, require any person by subpoena duces tecum to produce before such reports and documents it may require.

The oversight committee will have a secretariat that will be headed by executive director.

To carry out its powers and functions, the initial sum needed shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Senate. The operations of the committee shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, Drilon said.

In the creation of the oversight committee, Drilon cited section 1, article 11 of the 1987 Constitution which states that public office is public trust. “Public officers and employees must, at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with partriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

Drilon had argued the need for the oversight committee amid the “various allegations of misuse of funds” which has resulted in a growing perception of our people of public offices.

Drilon explained that, under the Senate rules, the creation of special committees shall be organized, the membership and jurisdiction of which shall be determined by the Senate President. –Angie M. Rosales, Daily Tribune