Congress asked to check use of Malampaya funds

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate is urging Congress to create an oversight committee that would check on the use of tens of billions in Malampaya funds.

He made the plea after the Commission on Audit recommended that former budget officials be investigated for the questionable release of P39 billion in such funds between 2004 and 2012.

“It must also be noted that the period that the most number of disbursements occurred in October-December 2009 during the time of then president Gloria Arroyo, or just a few months before the presidential elections in May 2010,” he said.

Then senator Benigno Aquino lll won that election. 

“During that three-month period, P2.27 billion was allotted for structures nationwide, while flood control projects and road repairs in Metro Manila were allocated P500 million. Around P15 million-P50 million was given to different regions all over the country, though the highest allotment given was to DPWH-RO 1 (Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 1) with P551,562,000,” Zarate said.

“As for the Aquino administration, they used Malampaya funds for buying junk boats worth P3.6 billion, while using P1.1 billion only for barangay electrification,” he said.

He accused previous administrations of treating Malampaya funds “like a secret campaign kitty and a reserve pork barrel.”