Joker questions PCGG ‘favored nominees’

The Senate questioned yesterday the appointments of a select few directors to the 39 corporations sequestered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

During the hearing on the budget of the PCGG at the Senate yesterday, Sen. Joker Arroyo noted Malacañang has distributed 208 directorships to "favored nominees" and that several of the individuals were appointed as members of the board of directors of several corporations.

"You have 208 directorships, it’s as if they’re farming them out. That’s patronage politics," Arroyo said.

PCGG chairman Camilo Sabio alone has 29 corporations to his credit, the senator pointed out. These include nine United Coconut Planters Bank subsidiaries and 20 Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF)-affiliated companies.

Arroyo also took note of Danilo Coronacion’s position as president and chief executive officer of 25 companies while Jose Barcelon is the corporate secretary of 35 companies.

The objection to the appointments came following questions raised regarding the compensation and benefits accorded to the appointees at the various corporations.

Sabio, who was present at the Senate hearing, said an explanation would be submitted to the Senate before the end of the year.

Arroyo said each of the appointees who hold various directorship posts in different corporations collect separate salaries and allowances from the corporations.

"The problem is they are using these corporations as milking cows. They’re collecting their salaries and allowances. — Marvin Sy