SC upholds Robredo policies on LGU funds

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the policies of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued by the late secretary Jesse Robredo to promote transparency and accountability in handling of funds of local government units (LGUs).

On Tuesday, the high court affirmed the legality of DILG Memorandum Circulars (MCs) 2010-83, 2010-138 and 2011-08.

MC 2010-83, issued by Robrero in August 2010, requires full disclosure of budgets and finances and bids and public offering of LGUs.

MC 2010-138, issued in December of the same year, mandates the use of the 20 percent component of the annual internal revenue allotment (IRA) shares.

MC 2011-08, issued in January 2011, requires strict adherence by LGUs to Section 90 of Republic Act 10147 or the General Appropriations Act of 2011, which covers use and disbursement of the IRA.

The high tribunal dismissed a petition of Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond Villafuerte Jr. seeking to void the memoranda for being unconstitutional.

 Villafuerte alleged that the issuances violated the principles of local and fiscal autonomy as provided under the Constitution and RA 7690 or the Local Government Code.

He said Robredo went beyond his supervisory power as an alter ego of the president when he issued MC 2010-83 and the memorandum desire to control the LGUs.

The SC junked Villafuerte’s allegations for lack of merit, saying the memorandum did not interfere with the discretion of the LGUs. 

It said the supervisory powers of the president require the publication of certain documents as a mechanism of transparency.

Robredo died in a plane crash in Masbate on Aug. 19, 2012.