Trillanes justifies why he spent P1.63 million a month on consultants

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV fields questions from veteran journalist Malou Mangahas.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, an independent vice presidential candidate, said he sees nothing wrong in hiring 63 consultants and paying them a total of P1.63 million a month. This , despite the fact that the Commission on Audit (COA) suggested that senators can spend P400, 000 per month for consultants.

“Ano ba iyong allegation na nagnakaw ba ako? Wala hong ganoon eh. Sinabi lang, maraming consultants, 63. Sabi ko, ilan ba ang limit? Wala ho eh,” he told veteran journalist and editor Malou Mangahas on GMA News TV's Investigative Documentaries Thursday night.

He explained that all senators were allocated the same amount every month, which they can spend on meetings, meals, gasoline, and consultants.

Trillanes added that the monthly total of P400, 000 for consultants' fee set by COA is not a limit. He added that the amount is only a guide — a suggestion.

“Iyon ho ang sinasabi ko na nag-set lang sila ng guide. Kapag lumagpas ka doon sa P400, 000 pwede mong i-realign, halimbawa pang-meryenda mo, ililipat mo dito. Basta ang total mo na budget per month, hindi ka sosobra doon,” he said.

The 63 consultants under the senator's payroll include 16 Magdalo soldiers who joined him in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003, a newspaper columnist, and his brother Juan Antonio.

The senator's brother is paid P71,200 per month for being his consultant.

“Kailangan ho sila. Talagang sila ang tumutulong sa akin para magawa ko ang misyon ko... Bakit kami ang maraming naisabatas? Sa mga posisyon sa mga isyu, very quick kami makakuha ng pulso ng mga tao. This is because (we) are rooted sa ground, iyong aming organisasyon,” he said.

Trillanes asked COA about hiring a relative as a consultant.

“Tinanong  ko iyan sa COA. Bawal ba? Hindi raw. Tapos, ikaw rin, kumpiyansa mo. Kunwari, confidential meeting iyan. At least, alam mo at least kung katiwala mo, kung kamag-anak mo,” he added.

ABUSE OF POWER

Political analyst Rowena Morales, however, pointed out that spending the budget on exorbitant consultation fees may be considered an abuse of power.

“Iyon ay abuse of power, abuse of right. Kung karapatan nga ng isang tao na kumuha ng consultants, at magbayad ayon sa budget. Baka abuso na iyong ang laki-laki ng binibigay mo (sa consultants)," she said.

When asked if he would practice the same if he becomes vice-president, Trillanes said: “Depende ho iyan sa pangangailangan. I believe as vice-president per se, hindi naman ho kailangan iyon, but if you will be given a Cabinet portfolio, aba eh, kakailanganin ho iyan. Kasi ako, admittedly, mayroon ho akong mga blind spots.” — BAP/APG, GMA News