What is the League of Provinces? What are its mandate and programs? Somehow one gets to wonder with all the money coming out for elected officials last October 11, 2007 in Malacanang Palace, two things remain unanswered: why in cash and what is the money for?
When you have an institution calling for multi-lateral dialogs for the release of Php19.9 Billion unpaid Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) due to local government units then all of a sudden handing out Php500,000.00 to new governors, you somehow wonder... what gives? In the website of the League of Provinces, the main story there is all about the "unpaid IRA due to the reenactment of the 2001 and 2003 national budget and a portion of the Local Government Service Equalization Fund which was not released according to the provisions of the Constitution, the Local Government Code and the landmark Supreme Court decision on the issue." It further stated that the "P19.9 billion is broken down as follows: P3-Billion of 1991 LGSEF, P2.5 Billion of 2000 LGSEF, P2.0 Billion of 2001 LGSEF due to the re-enactment of 2000 GAA, the P10.0 Billion discrepancy due to the re-enactment of 2000 GAA, and another P2.4 Billion difference due to the re-enactment of 2003 GAA." The Php19.9 Billion is public money.
Then last October 22, the public was again subjected to contorted lies from Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, the League's Executive Vice President and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone. After a one page paid advertisement regaring political noise, they somersaulted after 11 days saying the money given to Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza came from the League as support to new governors, a practice from the past. To which Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca immediately debunked. So after the one page ad, Reyes and Evardone shot themselves with their explanations. Incredulous! When further asked who among the new governors received the bag, Reyes said there schedules in the future. How much? probably the same?
Lets do the math then. From the horses' mouth came the information that each province pays a membership fee of Php120,000.00 to the League. Lets accept the amount as the base. That money is not private money by the way. It comes from the coffer of every province, supported further by a provincial board ordinance. So everything is public, meaning government. There are 81 governors, 44 of whom are neophytes. The Leageu therefore realizes a total of Php9.72 million from membership fees alone. Assuming, the story is true, if Php500,000.00 will be given to the 44 new governors, the League would need Php22 million or is short by Php12.28 million.
Now, let's go to the League itself since apparently the blame for different depository accounts (Bank of Commerce for Gov. Panlilion's bundle and PSBank for Gov. Mendoza's bundle), distribution in the Palace, etc. are all being thrown now to the Executive Director of the League. Now, here is another twist: how can an appointed officer rise above the appointing power? You mean to tell me he determines everything on his own? What a story!
Lets look at League's Plans & Programs and the only nearest thing to the "gift giving" act or "support for projects" is that on Expanding Revenue Base which does not talk about donating League funds for neophyte governors. Lets now take a look at their Constitution and by-laws and again there is nothing about assistance to new governors. If that is true, then the League should show an approved and signed resolution passed by their National Executive Board.
C'mon guys... the people are not stupid!
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