Press Release
July 2, 2009

To ensure transparency and credibility in government offices
ANGARA SEEKS FOR A FULL DISCLOSURE OF FOREIGN CONSULTANTS IN ALL AGENCIES AND BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today bats for transparency and accountability in government offices especially in operations that are of public interest, such as the 2010 poll automation plan which is now being feared not to push through.

"Consistent with the state policy to ensure full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest, he seeks to require full disclosure of the identity, nature of work, and compensation of foreign consultants hired or retained by the Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and their subsidiaries," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

Three objectives are intended for this bill:

a.) The public's basic right to know who are providing expert advice and support to the government be fully accorded them;

b.) That the public be appraised if the services for which the consultants are being sought are indeed indispensable and cannot be rendered by our local experts

c.) And that the public, who are the main contributors to our nation's coffer, must be informed of the money being spent to pay consultants hired by the Government

SB 900 or the Foreign Consultants' Disclosure bill seeks to require all branches and agencies of government, including government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries to disclose the identity of their foreign consultants, the nature of their work and their compensation, perks and other privileges.

In the bill, all heads of branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) or their subsidiaries shall provide the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in writing and under oath, the pertinent information involving their foreign consultants.

"Transparency, in all its forms, must be ensured by the government for the people. This bill asks for a transparent transaction between the government and foreign consultants. Likewise, this on-going anxiety should be given immediate attention and action to ensure that the 2010 election pursues," said Angara, father of the Ombudsman Law and the primary author of the Procurement Reform Act.

News Latest News Feed