‘Abolish’ agencies linked to pork barrel scandal

Rappler.com

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A governance committee urges the Aquino government to abolish state agencies linked to the controversial fund releases

MANILA, Philippines – A governance committee has urged President Benigno Aquino III to abolish state agencies linked to the controversial Priority Development Assistance (PDAF) releases.

On Tuesday, September 3, the Governance Commission for government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCC), said in a statement it has recommended action on 5 GOCCs which have a combined net worth of approximately P3.43 billion.

The commission wrote the president to push for the abolition of the following:

  • National Agribusiness Corp. (NABCOR) 
  • Zamboanga del Norte College Rubber Estates Corp. (ZREC)
  • Philippine Forest Corp. (PFC)

These 3 GOCCs are among those linked to the PDAF controversy uncovered by the Commission on Audit. In question are fund releases under the Arroyo administration from 2007 to 2009.

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“To date, GCG (commission) has completed its study and recently submitted to the Office of the President its recommendation to abolish ZREC and NABCOR, and is already in the process of submitting its recommendation on the abolition of PFC,” the GCG said.

The commission, created in 2011 as a central oversight and policy-making body for GOCCs, has also recommended the faster review of the following:

  • Technology Resources Center (TRC) 
  • National Livelihood Development Corp. (NLDC)

“Notably, the use of the GOCCs for projects funded by PDAF were also among the reasons for recommending abolition, aside from their redundancy with other agencies and lack of financial viability,” the GCG said.

The commission reviews GOCCs to determine if their functions or purposes duplicate or unnecessarily overlap with those of other government agencies. It also evaluates the performance of the agencies, especially against their mandate or purpose.

It is tasked to recommend the privatization of a GOCC if it is involved in an activity best carried out by the private sector. – Rappler.com

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