LACSON BATS FOR AUDITS ON GOVERNMENT
MILKING COWS BEFORE AND AFTER ELECTIONS

To prevent another repeat of the massive diversion of funds to government candidates campaign kitties, Sen. Panfilo Lacson called Sunday for a complete audit of funds of agencies traditionally regarded as government milking cows.

Lacson also sought an audit of funds released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during the election period, to make sure such fund releases are not politically motivated.

There should be a pre- and post-election audit of funds of agencies such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), he said.

According to him, Pagcor, and PCSO are also considered cash cow agencies because of the billions of pesos they generate. On the other hand, OWWA and PhilHealth are entrusted with billions of pesos in taxpayers money to ensure workers welfare and indigents health.

Lacson batted in particular for two audits, including a pre-election audit and a post-election audit, to make sure they are not juggled around or worse, merely made to disappear.

In the 2004 presidential elections, Lacson said funds from various government agencies were channeled to the administration candidates campaign kitties, including P728 million from a fertilizer program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Lacson said that if pre- and post-audits of various government agencies had been conducted then, the diversion of funds could have been prevented, or at least minimized.

On the other hand, Lacson urged the DBM to make a detailed report to Congress after the elections on the various fund releases it made during the entire election period, or between Jan. 14 and June 14.

The DBM should make a detailed report to Congress of releases during the entire election period to show there was no political monkey business in its disbursement of funds during that time, he said.