Transparency and accountability – including the certainty of jail for mismanagement – should be the main considerations in the handling of the Maharlika Investment Fund, Senator Robin Padilla said.
Padilla, in an interview on ANC, said he is fed up with instances of mishandling of public funds where those found liable in investigations escape being jailed.
“Sinong pumalpak dito, dapat makulong.”
“Dito sa pagkakataong ito, No. 1 transparency. Alam ng tao kung saan pupunta ang pera. At sinong pumalpak dito, dapat makulong. Hindi ito pwedeng sorry lang kasi pera ng taumbayan ito,” the legislator said.
“Ako sawang sawa na ako na pag may dinadala sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, laging sorry, walang nakukulong, walang nag-resign,” the lawmaker added.
“Kailangan may accountability and transparency. Kasi pera ng tao ito. Tandaan ninyo, DBP, LBP, pera ng tao ito. Hindi ito pera ninuman,” the senator stressed.
He likewise noted that while the Maharlika Fund is expected to attract foreign direct investments (FDI), he reiterated the need to amend the Constitution’s economic provisions to allow such capital to enter the country.
Padilla said this is why he continues to move for amending the Charter’s economic provisions and having them approved via constituent assembly (Con-Ass), and ratified through a plebiscite timed with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October.
Also, he said he remains hopeful his efforts in the Senate will not reach a dead end.
“With the help of God Almighty naniniwala ako na naiintindihan nila na kailangan na ng amendment sa economic provision lang.”
“Magiging dead end lang ito pag tinanggal nila ako as chairman ng Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes. Pero hangga’t hindi ako tinatanggal tuloy tuloy ito… Malaki ang aking paniwala with the help of God Almighty naniniwala ako na naiintindihan nila na kailangan na ng amendment sa economic provision lang,” Padilla said.
“Talagang evolving, ganoon po talaga ang Constitution. Ang Constitution kailangan buhay ‘di ‘yan patay. Ang Constitution na patay walang mangyayari sa bansa natin,” he concluded.
