CHIZ ASSURES 2016 NAT'L BUDGET WON'T BE USED FOR ELECTIONS

Sen. Chiz Escudero allayed fears that the 2016 national budget may be used for political campaign, saying necessary control mechanisms are in place to prevent the potential use and abuse of government coffers for election bid.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, assured that there are enough safeguards to protect government funds from embezzlement or misappropriation.

"The mechanisms are in place to ensure that funds under the 2016 General Appropriations Act will not be used as campaign kitty," Escudero said.

One of the measures, he said, is the strict application of line-item budgeting, which was put in place to ensure transparency in public spending.

"By itemizing, we are able to control spending as it gives us a better idea of where all the funds go. It's what-you-see-is-what-you-get, crystal clear and transparent," Escudero said.

The legislator said his committee and Congress, as a whole, have provided for "definite mechanisms to pinpoint accountability" and determine who is at fault for lost or misappropriated funds.

Escudero said lawmakers have also imposed additional and stricter reportorial requirements in the utilization of the budget.

"Kung may kalokohang ginagawa or gagawin sa kaban ng bayan, mas madali na itong mahuli at makita sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang sistema," Escudero said.

He added: "Matagal nang isinabatas ng Diyos na bawal ang magnakaw pero nagnanakaw pa rin ang tao. Pero tinitiyak namin sa budget na kung may gagawa man no'n, mas madaling makikita at mahuhuli."