Greed for ‘pork’ among lawmakers undermining gov’t legitimacy—Santiago

By: Maila Ager - 11 years ago

Senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines– Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Friday hit anew her fellow lawmakers involved in the pork barrel fund scam, saying they have crossed the line into “kleptocracy or into state capture” and were either “morons or thieves”.

“As a senator, I am so depressed at the self-seeking behavior of my colleagues that I can hardly escape cynicism about the future of Philippine politics,” Santiago said in a speech at the 50th Foundation Anniversary of Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Makati City.

“The senators and congressmen involved have crossed the line into kleptocracy or into state capture.

“Mga moron na, magnanakaw pa [Not only are they morons, they are also thieves],” Santiago also said.

“The greed for pork barrel among lawmakers is undermining government legitimacy,” she added.

Instead of giving their “pork barrel” to the poor, Santiago said her colleagues have been “pocketing” the money.

She said these politicians also lack “mental ability” and “physical prowess.”

“You can’t imagine how their minds work or if they have any brains at all,” she said.

The senator also lamented how these politicians “flaunt their wealth in your face.”

The scandals, Santiago said, showed clearly that the benefits of state action have been diverted into the “narrow and unrepresentative groups in Congress.”

“At this point of the rising tide of scandals, we need drastic and transformative policies,” she said.

“We should be ready for difficult confrontations with powerful interests in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

But Santiago said the country could still avoid “disaster” by taking the following steps:

First, Santiago said, the government should withdraw its petition to the Supreme Court to lift the temporary restraining order it issued against the release of the remaining Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) known as pork barrel.

Second, she said the Senate should also review the proposed P2.268 trillion national budget for 2014 passed by the House of Representatives and remove the P25.4 billion “pork barrel” allegedly hidden in the budget.

And third, Santiago said, the Senate should integrate into the regular budget certain off-budget sources of revenues such as the P130 billion Malampaya Fund; P12.5 billion motor vehicle users charge; and the Pagcor Social Fund and the PCSO Charity Fund.

Pagcor is the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp while PCSO is Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Originally posted at 2:22 p.m.