Philippines: Cayetano: Blue Ribbon Committee must protect the most vulnerable

PHILIPPINES, August 17 - Press Release
August 17, 2022

Cayetano: Blue Ribbon Committee must protect the most vulnerable

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee must spearhead the fight against graft and corruption because the most vulnerable sectors in society are the ones getting hurt the most.

"Mukhang y'ung pinakahirap na mga sektor, dun pa napupunta ang korapsyon. Sa farmers, whether that's the fertilizer scam or scam on inputs. Tapos problema ng lahat ang internet and more than a decade ago, y'ung NBN-ZTE naman

ang inimbestigahan ng committee," Cayetano said during the organizational meeting of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on August 17, 2022.

He suggested that the committee prioritize clear cases of anomalous government transactions, saying now is the ideal time to investigate suspected corruption in the public sector.

"We (should) conduct one or two hearings lang na very clear na may anomalya. At the start of any administration, everyone wants it to be successful, so whether we are for or against this administration, we want it to succeed. And it will not succeed kung may massive corruption, anomalies, and graft," Cayetano said.

"Now is the best time to investigate because hindi pa sila ang nakaupo (nung nangyari ang anomalya)," he added.

Cayetano had asked the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, through Proposed Senate Resolution No. 134 which he filed on August 11, 2022, to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the education department's procurement of allegedly overpriced laptops through the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-PS).

During the organizational meeting, Cayetano underscored the importance of the Blue Ribbon Committee in ensuring the integrity of government affairs, amid reports of the allegedly anomalous purchase of laptops by the Department of Education (DepEd) which were meant to aid public school teachers conducting remote learning at the height of the pandemic..

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed. I think this is one of the missions of the Blue Ribbon Committee because we cannot be conformed in a world full of anomaly, for graft, and corruption. We have to transform," he said, alluding to Romans 12:2 in the New Testament.

He also highlighted how Senate hearings are a better avenue for investigating cases of government corruption as these are more open to the public and the media, and often result in better laws and reforms.

"Aside from it being in aid of legislation, it is the most transparent process of investigation in the Philippines especially because the media can participate, and even from social media. Members of the Senate can get input from people who are watching live," he said.

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Cayetano: Blue Ribbon Committee kailangang umagapay sa pinakamahirap na mga sektor

Sinabi ni Senador Alan Peter Cayetano noong Miyerkules na dapat pangunahan ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee ang laban kontra graft at korapsyon dahil ang pinakabulnerableng mga sektor ng lipuanan ang lubhang apektado ng ganitong mga kaso.

"Mukhang y'ung pinakahirap na mga sektor, dun pa napupunta ang korapsyon. Sa farmers, whether that's the fertilizer scam or scam on inputs. Tapos problema ng lahat ang internet and more than a decade ago, y'ung NBN-ZTE naman ang inimbestigahan ng committee," wika ni Cayetano sa organizational meeting ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee noong August 17, 2022.

Iminungkahi niya na unahin ng komite ang malinaw na mga kaso ng maanomalyang transaksyon sa gobyerno.

Dagdag niya, ngayon na mismo ang tamang panahon para imbestigahan ang pinaghihinalaang mga kaso ng katiwalian sa pamahalaan.

"We (should) conduct one or two hearings lang na very clear na may anomalya. At the start of any administration, everyone wants it to be successful, so whether we are for or against this administration, we want it to succeed. And it will not succeed kung may massive corruption, anomalies, and graft," ani Cayetano.

"Now is the best time to investigate because hindi pa sila ang nakaupo (nung nangyari ang anomalya)," dagdag niya.

Maaalalang inihain ni Cayetano ang Proposed Senate Resolution No. 134 noong August 11, 2022, kung saan hiniling niya sa Senate Blue Ribbon Committee na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon, upang makatulong sa paglikha ng batas, sa pagkuha ng Department of Education (DepEd) ng umano'y overpriced na mga laptop sa pamamagitan ng Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-PS).

Sa organizational meeting, inilatag ni Cayetano ang kahalagahan ng Blue Ribbon Committee sa pagsisigurado na matuwid ang gawain ng gobyerno, sa gitna ng napapaulat na pagbili ng DepEd ng umano'y overpriced na mga laptop, na dapat sana ay gagamitin ng mga public school teachers sa pagsasagawa ng remote learning noong kasagsagan ng pandemya.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed. I think this is one of the missions of the Blue Ribbon Committee because we cannot be conformed in a world full of anomaly, for graft, and corruption. We have to transform," aniya, gamit ang isang sipi mula sa Romans 12:2 ng Bagong Tipan sa Bibliya.

Idiniin din niya kung paanong mas magandang forum para sa pagiimbestiga ng katiwalian sa gobyerno ang mga Senate hearing dahil ito raw ay mas bukas sa publiko at media, at madalas ay nagreresulta sa mas maayos na mga batas at makabuluhang reporma.

"Aside from it being in aid of legislation, it is the most transparent process of investigation in the Philippines especially because the media can participate, and even from social media. Members of the Senate can get input from people who are watching live," aniya.