Group decries hike in budget of ‘blunder-prone’ PCOO
An opposition group has denounced the committee-level approval of the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCOO) P1.474-billion proposed 2019 budget despite the blunders the agency committed this year.
The Let’s Organize for Democracy and Integrity (Lodi), a media and arts alliance, lambasted PCOO after the House committee on appropriations approved the latter’s P1.474-billion proposed 2019 budget. This is a P39.434 million or 2.75 percent increase from its 2018 budget.
“Ang PCOO ay isang palpak na ahensya. Ito ‘yung ahensya na nagsabi na merong bansa sa Norwegia, ito ‘yung ahensya na nagbigay parangal kay Rogelio Golez dating kongresista, ito ‘yung nagpangalan kay Senator Winston Gatchalian, ito ‘yung ahensyang pumayag na magkaroon ng pepedederalismo video sa loob mimso ng opisina ng PCOO,” Tonyo Cruz, a member of Lodi’s steering panel, told reporters.
Cruz also questioned the increase in the agency’s budget as he accused it and its Assistance Secretary Mocha Uson of “proliferating fake news and hate speech.”
“Kinukwestyon namin kung bakit sila may budget increase. Dapat bawasan ‘yung budget ng PCOO. Hindi pa kasama rito na itong PCOO, lalo na sa pangunguna ni Mocha Uson, ang numero unong tagapagkalat ng fake news sa bansa, tagapagkalat ng hate speech,” he said.
Uson, Cruz added, should also face sanctions for her controversial “pepedederalismo” jingle video to promote federalism.
“Ang laki-laki ng sahod nya (Uson) buwan-buwan hindi man lang siya isususpend? Hindi man lang iimbestigahan?” he asked.
PCOO Undersecretary Marvin Gatpayat earlier said they had received several complaints against Uson through the government’s complaint hotline, and these complaints were also referred to the Office of the Executive Secretary since the President has the jurisdiction over Uson.
Asec. Marie Banaag also said a memorandum had been issued to all PCOO employees to remind them of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
During PCOO’s budget defense, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also said Uson is being requested by the Office of the President as well as other government agencies to join their events and some foreign trips as part of her role in the agency. /jpv
READ: Andanar says OP asked Mocha to join Duterte’s foreign trips
