Loren on state stimulus plan

There's the very real danger of the P330 billion "stimulus package" of the government becoming yet another fertilizer fund scam. It may be used by the administration for electioneering and to buy votes for its candidates in the 2010 elections. Thus, we must be ever-watchful of the utilization of this fund lest it be misused.

"As per the claim of former budget secretary Benjamin Diokno, this package lacks specific details on what projects are to be financed, while generally funding economic activities that are already funded under the General Appropriations Act. To me, such a set-up is open to abuse because of its lack of transparency. Baka ang kalabasan niyan ay mahulog sa election black holeang pera.

We cannot allow a situation in which this P330 billion will not be used to pump-prime the economy, but to "stimulate" the election chances of administration candidates next year."