GORDON SEEKS MORE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCURACY IN BUDGET PROCESS

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today pressed for more transparency in the allocation of budget for government projects under the yearly General Appropriations Act (GAA) to maintain honesty and integrity to public service.

In filing Senate Resolution 650, Gordon said he is proposing to the Senate finance committee to require "sufficient and accurate" description for every item included in the annual GAA.

"We have to make reforms to thwart any confusion that may result from vague and imprecise provisions in the General Appropriations Bill, and to preserve and protect the integrity of Congress and other government institutions involved in the budget process," he said.

Gordon explained that every item in the GAA should be concisely described in such a way that they are sufficiently distinct from one another and may not be confused with any other item in the national budget.

"This is to give life to the declared state policy of making the budget oriented towards the achievement of explicit objectives and expected results for the effective, economical and efficient utilization of funds and operations of government entities," Gordon said.

He added that current debates in the Senate with regard to the alleged double entry in the budget allocation for the construction of a single road, calls for more transparency in the preparation of subsequent national budgets.

"The recent events involving alleged anomalous amendments or insertions to the proposed national budget call for reforms in the manner through which items in the GAA are identified and defined," Gordon said.

Gordon stressed the need for such resolution to avoid further controversies such as the suspected double budget insertion for the construction of the C-5 road from happening again.

He added that utmost transparency, especially in issues involving public interest, is seriously needed to uphold the Senate's integrity and maintain the public's trust and confidence in the legislators and in the Senate as an institution.