Solon seeks inquiry into GOCC bonuses

Cebu 6th district Representative Luigi Quisumbing. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A lawmaker filed a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an inquiry on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) 2012 financial report, amid allegations that 31 government-owned and -controlled corporations were granted billions of unauthorized bonuses and allowances.

Cebu 6th district Representative Luigi Quisumbing filed House Resolution 688 to look into the P2.313 billion incentives given to some GOCCs without legal basis or proper authority.

Quisumbing said Congress should look into the benefit packages of GOCCs for “irregularities.”
He added that Congress may come up with a legislation “rationaliz(ing) the benefits given  to GOCCs in light of the COA findings.”

Congress should also look into whether the Governance Commission for GOCCs followed the performance-based incentive system which was mandated by law as basis for bonuses, Quisumbing said.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. earlier said the lower chamber should launch an inquiry on the unauthorized bonuses.