As the Senate reconvenes this Monday, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III assured that the upper chamber would not stop investigating government corruption and shortcomings.
“We will continuously seek to expose corruption in public service and direct the searchlight of one of our committees towards the dark corners of our bureaucracy where corruption and injustice thrive unnoticed,” said Sotto in his speech at the opening of the third session of the 18th Congress.
Although Sotto acknowledged the steps taken by the Duterte administration against corruption, they were lacking.
Some of the allegations Sotto cited were allegations of corruption in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) and the Department of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s recap-session targets also include providing new assistance to families, workers, and industries affected by the pandemic.
The remaining sessions, according to Sotto, will be spent on developing laws for the support and protection of overseas Filipino workers as well as the country’s natural resources and citizens’ readiness to face disasters.
Senate to focus on gov’t corruption – Sotto
Sen. Panfilo Lacson stressed the Duterte administration’s failed spending on funds for the pandemic.
According to Lacson, of the P205.117 billion Bayanihan 2 budget, P63 billion has yet to be used for various government-linked programs.
He said a new law is needed to re-fund those who have missed aid.
He said the Senate committee of the whole would review the unspent funds, Sotto said.
Sotto also assured that some departments would go through the needle when the Senate begins to scrutinize the proposed 2022 national budget due to controversies.
These include the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Twenty-one senators attended the Senate recap session this Monday but only 13 physically attended due to the ongoing pandemic, while 8 had virtual attendance. Three were not counted in attendance.
Last week, Senator Panfilo Lacson confirmed that he and Senate President Vicente Sotto will continue to be the presidential and vice-presidential candidates in Election 2022.
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