MANILA, (PNA) — The Aquino government expressed belief there are available options other than the people’s initiative that will safeguard the integrity of public funds, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday.
“We share common ground with advocates of reform towards greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. However, while we recognize that people’s initiative is a valid exercise of citizen’s democratic rights under the 1987 Constitution, we believe that it is not the only available option at this time and all other options need to be considered thoroughly as this will have far-reaching implications on our people,” Coloma told the regular press briefing in Malacanang Tuesday.
Coloma issued the statement in response to the proposal of retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno to abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund, the Disbursement Acceleration Program and to check the abuses of Congress through people’s initiative.
“A people’s initiative presupposes that the Legislative and the Executive branches of government are unwilling to enact and implement laws that will prevent the misuse of public funds. We believe there are sufficient avenues for legislative reform and that Congress is prepared to enact laws to institutionalize these reforms,” Coloma said.
“The administration is supportive of legislative reforms and is prepared to adopt appropriate measures that will safeguard the integrity of public funds. The Supreme Court decision on pending issues provides an opportunity for bringing greater clarity on the separation of powers provision in the Constitution. Such clarity will strengthen the system of checks and balances and thus foster good governance,” he said.
Coloma reiterated that the government shares the public’s view on the need to put a stop to the abuse of PDAF use.
“Sa panig po ng ating pamahalaan, puspusan ang pagsusumikap na magkaroon ng reporma at pagbabago, sapagkat ang pinakamahalagang plataporma po ng ating administrasyon ay ang pagtahak sa matuwid na daan o ang promotion of good governance,” he said.