Drilon to Yap: Prosecution of corrupt officials better than budget cuts for agencies

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Friday opposed House appropriations panel chairperson Eric Yap's proposal to slash the budget of allegedly graft-ridden government agencies.

"Good media copy. But not the appropriate remedy," Drilon said in a message. "Even a reduced budget can still be plundered if handled by the same corrupt officials."

The public who needs the services of various government departments shall not bear the brunt of the irregularities committed by erring government officials, the senator underscored.

"Will Congressman Yap reduce the budget of PhilHealth because of corruption in that agency? Will Congressman Yap reduce the budget of DSWD because of reports of corruption among barangay chairmen in the distribution of the SAP (social amelioration program)?" Drilon asked.

The minority leader said it is more important to pin down those who pocket public funds to effectively address corruption.

"Effective prosecution of corrupt officials, and strengthening the anti-graft laws, and not the reduction of the budget, are the proper and more effective remedy," he said.

On the other hand, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri supported Yap's proposal.

"That's a laudable solution. Pero sa tingin ko, dagdagan din ang budget ng Ombudsman or investigative bodies—COA (Commission on Audit), Ombudsman," he said in an online interview.

"Puwedeng tapyasan 'yung agencies na nasa perennial list ng corrupt agencies pero idagdag natin 'yun sa investigative bodies... para sa ganoon ay lalong ma-engganyo sila na lalong tutukan itong kaso ng korapsyon," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered a Department of Justice-led task force to investigate corruption in the entire government.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra initially identified five agencies that his task force will prioritize looking into, namely: PhilHealth, Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and Land Registration Authority.—AOL, GMA News