ANGARA CALLS FOR PORK BARREL TRANSPARENCY

Senator Edgardo J. Angara yesterday called for openness in government spending, following the Department of Budget Management's (DBM) statement that lawmakers will be provided with enough pork barrel funds in the 2011 national budget.

According to DBM, the pork barrel, otherwise known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund, will be allocated to the Senate and the Congress under very strict measures for accountability and transparency.

"Of course we understand the need for transparency. Ambiguity can be perceived as corruption. We all know by now that inconsistencies in the books are red flags for suspicious spending activity," said Angara, who was the former Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance.

"We should exercise prudence in spending and show that the PDAF can be an effective tool for development," he said, referring to the President's directive to national government agencies to prioritize the lawmakers in the 2011 budget.

"Since Malacanang has named next year's budget as the Reform Budget of 2011, we must make true to its name and make a commitment to being both cautious and truthful," said Angara.