Bam Aquino: Time to reform pork rules

SEN. Benigno “Bam” Aquino yesterday said major reforms were needed in the releasing and monitoring of pork barrel funds, but he stopped short of calling for its abolition.

He spoke at a press conference at the Cebu International Convention Center where he was a guest speaker at the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Summit 2013.

Aquino said he joins senators in waiting for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Ombudsman to complete their investigation.

“I think it’s counter productive if we investigate our own people. Pending the result, the release of PDAF has been suspended,” he said.

“NBI and Ombudsman needs to investigate and come up with decisions and then let our justice system work. We need to show that our justice system works.”

In the meantime, he said better measures must be taken in releasing and monitoring the PDAF.

If used properly, the PDAF can do much to develop communities, he said.

“Despite the scandal, I’m still hoping that we can continue to talk about inclusive growth. Senator Angara and I recently filed a resolution to assess the readiness of enterprises for the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015,” he said.

Aquino said that hopefully it could help define what the enterprises need in order to be competitive.

“What we need and the government needs to do is to support the enterprises and help them become competitive,” he said. /Reporter Aileen Garcia Yap