2 presidential bets eye cuts in IRA, pork barrel

If elected president, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III will reduce the funding of non-performing local government units while Sen. Ana. Consuelo “Jamby" Madrigal will trim down, if not abolish, the multi-million pork barrel received by legislators. At the Philippine Daily Inquirer's presidential debate, Aquino (Liberal Party) said he wants the 40 percent internal revenue allotment (IRA) reduced for local government units that are not performing well. “Kung hindi niya nagawa ang dapat gawin, [dapat] bawasan yung resources. Kung ginagawa naman po niya…bakit hindi natin tulungan? Iyon pong 40 percent maraming magagawa kung gagamiting tama," Aquino said, adding the local government is responsible for the implementation of the national government’s project. (If the local government fails to do its job, then the IRA should be trimmed down. But if the local government is able to function properly then they should be assisted. A lot can be done if the 40 percent IRA is used wisely.) IRA, under section 284 of the Local Government Code, is the local government's share of revenues from the national government. Allocation for such is based a certain location's land area and population. Madrigal (independent), meanwhile, said she supports the proposal to reduce the pork barrel as it would curb corruption. Madrigal and Sen. Panfilo “Ping" Lacson are two of the senators who refused to accept the P200-million pork barrel allocated for each member of the high chamber. Pork barrel, or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), is allocated to each lawmaker to finance special development projects for their respective constituencies. However, it’s been largely criticized as grease that an incumbent president provides its allies in congress to ensure their loyalty. Should any legislator refuse to heed her once she becomes chief executive, Madrigal said she would file a case against them before the ombudsman. At the same time, she also vowed to veto insertions in the annual budget once elected as president. In an apparent swipe at her nemesis Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., she said millions of pesos "are wasted" because of such privilege. “People who insert for their own good should be charged with plunder," she said. - KBK, GMANews.TV