The House committee on good government and public accountability chaired by Rep. Johnny Pimentel resumed its congressional inquiry on the utilization by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) of its shares from the excise tax on locally manufactured Virginia-type cigarettes.
The investigation centered on the highly irregular purchase of motor vehicles made through cash advances without the benefit of public bidding for the total amount of P66.450 million. The purchase using the Special Support Fund under Republic Act 7171 was for a purpose other than those provided for by law.
The inquiry is also looking into the utilization of the Tobacco Excise Tax to determine whether the tobacco farmers of Ilocos Norte have been deriving tangible benefits from it as envisioned under RA 7171.
In his opening remarks, Pimentel said included in the committee’s agenda for investigation are five transactions of the PGIN involving questioned cash advances for calendar year 2012, as follows:
— The purchase of a portrait bust sculpture and services for the development of Paoay Museum on July 17, 2012;
— The purchase of materials and the installation of precast concrete for Paseo de Paoay on July 18, 2012;
— The purchase of medicines and Libspray 2011 for distribution to the different municipalities on October 24, 2012; and
— The purchase of Panlaban 5EC for distribution to the different municipalities on November 23, 2012 and purchase of medicines for distribution to the different municipalities on December 11, 2012.
Pimentel said “the committee deliberations have been productive and the body has obtained relevant information that will enable it to recommend necessary remedial legislation.”
“The committee (probe has) revealed that RA 7171 has been subjected to different applications to the point that it has been abused by those tasked to implement it,” he said.
“Furthermore despite the issuance of rules and regulations by the Commission on Audit (COA) on the utilization of cash advances, the committee discovered that government offices were able to go around them right under the noses of officials and employees of COA which is mandated to guard public funds,” said Pimentel.
Pimentel said they also found out that disbursing officers resorted to means that will conceal their illegal activities such as when fictitious invitations to bid and similar activities were posted in PHilGEPs by the PGIN to make it appear that they had complied with the requirements of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
“Any adverse findings by the committee and that the commission of malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance is established, we’ll recommend to filing of appropriate cases against the erring public official or employee,” Pimentel said. / MVIP | HOR-PR
