Drilon: Thousands of seafarers to lose jobs without MARINA bill

Press Release
1 February 2014
Refer to: Jeeno Arellano (09272286617)

                 

At least 80,000 Filipino seafarers are at risk of losing their jobs if loopholes and inefficiencies in the current system governing the country’s administration of maritime workers are not addressed, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today.

Drilon, who sponsored Senate Bill No. 2043 which seeks to introduce major structural changes to the maritime regulatory system, reiterated the urgency of the bill “in order to avert an impending ban on Filipino seafarers by the European Union” due chiefly to the country’s continuous failure to demonstrate its compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, as amended (STCW Convention).    

The Senate chief said the Congress has to act fast before the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) completes its latest audit report that will determine if the Philippines is indeed in conformity to the STCW Convention.

SB No. 2043 specifically seeks to establish a single maritime administration, which will be the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), that will be tasked with overseeing the training and certification of Filipino seafarers, and ensuring that these follow international standards based on the STCW Convention.

The Senate leader said that SBN 2043 “requires immediate legislative attention” so that the country may “fully avoid the socio-economic consequences of a blacklist by the European Union to our maritime workers.”

The European Union (EU) has earlier expressed its inclination to ban Filipino seafarers from EU-flagged vessels, blaming the country's unsatisfactory and incomplete compliance to the STCW Convention.

“I am informed that around 80,000 Filipino workers will eventually lose their jobs if such a ban is implemented by the European Union,” Drilon explained.

"Worse, if other countries follow the EU's move, at least 300,000 more workers around the globe –and their families– would lose their precious livelihood," Drilon warned.

He added that the damages won’t be felt by the seafarers and their families alone.

"The country will lose billions of pesos from sea-based workers remittances which have aided the economy by fueling domestic consumption and preventing foreign exchange instability," said Drilon. He noted that seafarers’ remittances reached nearly $5 billion in 2012.

Aside from aligning our maritime system with the international standards and addressing inefficiencies in the current system, Drilon said that the passage of the bill will also "bring improvement in the skills and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers."

"It is high time that we protect the welfare of the thousands of Filipino seafarers around the world. Our seafarers have better skills, character and education than many workers from other nations. We have to make sure that our policies match their excellence, in order to harness their full potential,” he concluded. ###

Drilon: Senate funding meant for public service, not personal profit

Press Release

29 January 2014

Refer to: Jeeno C. Arellano

(09272286617)

Drilon: Senate funding meant for public

service, not personal profit

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured today that the Senate is not letting a day pass in making the budget of the Senate as transparent as it can be, saying that measures have already been put in place to ensure that the funds allotted to each member of the Senate are used “judiciously” and executed solely for “their legitimate and fully intended purposes.”

“It is our responsibility to ensure that every peso spent by the Senate during this Congress will be done so in the service of the Filipino people, which the public must be empowered to see for themselves,” emphasized Drilon.

Drilon explained that each office of the senator is allotted a monthly budget of P1.45 million to cover for the salary, allowances and office operating expenses such as payment for supplies, communication expense, and local travels, among others.

“But these funds are not meant to end up in personal purses of the senators because they are used to keep their offices running to say the least. The amount is there to finance the full operations of their offices in pursuit of their legislative commitments,” pointed out Drilon.

He stressed that the Senate ensures that everybody strictly follows budgeting and accounting procedures, and that all senate expenditures pass through COA audit.   

Drilon said that they acknowledge the people’s demand for transparency regarding the use of public funds, especially as the Senate’s reputation “had been adversely affected by various controversies in the past.”    

“The only way we can rebuild the public’s trust is through our decisive and clearcut action – that this time, the taxpayer’s money is rightfully spent in a judicious, pragmatic and an accountable manner.” 

Drilon stressed that the fund undergoes liquidation processes and the expenses are supported by receipts and other documents evidencing the disbursements.

However, there are certain instances that the expenditure is, by its nature, confidential, and only during these circumstance that a certification by the concerned senator is allowed, in lieu of receipts.

These expenditures fall under items extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) and other maintenance and operating expenses (OMOE) which have a total monthly allocation of P280,000.

The said amount is used “to cover for expenses necessary and incidental to the performance of the official functions of the senator or in aid of legislation which includes, but not limited to, gathering data relative to a legislative inquiry or to a concern or advocacy being advanced by the senator.”

These also cover expenses incurred to ensure the safety and security of the conduct of legislative inquiries and investigators and of those persons invited to become witnesses are also chargeable to this account.

In addition, Drilon said “reforms are already in order to improve budget utilization and accountability in the way the Senate spends its budget.”

He said the Senate has decided to make the funding for regular and oversight committees uniform to save on budget and to avoid unnecessary increases in the annual budget of the Senate. The Senate has a budget of P3.294 billion in 2013 and P3.3444 billion in 2014.

“The public needs to see how their money is being spent. They have the right to probe and pose questions, and we would try to welcome them accordingly,” he said. ###

Drilon: Senate funding meant for public service, not personal profit

Press Release

29 January 2014

Refer to: Jeeno C. Arellano

(09272286617)

Drilon: Senate funding meant for public

service, not personal profit

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured today that the Senate is not letting a day pass in making the budget of the Senate as transparent as it can be, saying that measures have already been put in place to ensure that the funds allotted to each member of the Senate are used “judiciously” and executed solely for “their legitimate and fully intended purposes.”

“It is our responsibility to ensure that every peso spent by the Senate during this Congress will be done so in the service of the Filipino people, which the public must be empowered to see for themselves,” emphasized Drilon.

Drilon explained that each office of the senator is allotted a monthly budget of P1.45 million to cover for the salary, allowances and office operating expenses such as payment for supplies, communication expense, and local travels, among others.

“But these funds are not meant to end up in personal purses of the senators because they are used to keep their offices running to say the least. The amount is there to finance the full operations of their offices in pursuit of their legislative commitments,” pointed out Drilon.

He stressed that the Senate ensures that everybody strictly follows budgeting and accounting procedures, and that all senate expenditures pass through COA audit.   

Drilon said that they acknowledge the people’s demand for transparency regarding the use of public funds, especially as the Senate’s reputation “had been adversely affected by various controversies in the past.”    

“The only way we can rebuild the public’s trust is through our decisive and clearcut action – that this time, the taxpayer’s money is rightfully spent in a judicious, pragmatic and an accountable manner.” 

Drilon stressed that the fund undergoes liquidation processes and the expenses are supported by receipts and other documents evidencing the disbursements.

However, there are certain instances that the expenditure is, by its nature, confidential, and only during these circumstance that a certification by the concerned senator is allowed, in lieu of receipts.

These expenditures fall under items extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (EME) and other maintenance and operating expenses (OMOE) which have a total monthly allocation of P280,000.

The said amount is used “to cover for expenses necessary and incidental to the performance of the official functions of the senator or in aid of legislation which includes, but not limited to, gathering data relative to a legislative inquiry or to a concern or advocacy being advanced by the senator.”

These also cover expenses incurred to ensure the safety and security of the conduct of legislative inquiries and investigators and of those persons invited to become witnesses are also chargeable to this account.

In addition, Drilon said “reforms are already in order to improve budget utilization and accountability in the way the Senate spends its budget.”

He said the Senate has decided to make the funding for regular and oversight committees uniform to save on budget and to avoid unnecessary increases in the annual budget of the Senate. The Senate has a budget of P3.294 billion in 2013 and P3.3444 billion in 2014.

“The public needs to see how their money is being spent. They have the right to probe and pose questions, and we would try to welcome them accordingly,” he said. ###

Drilon: Ongoing efforts to fight government corruption will redeem the Senate

Press Release

16 January 2014

Refer to: Jeeno Arellano (09272286617)

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today said he is confident that the ongoing efforts of the senators in instituting reforms and policies towards erasing corruption from Philippine governance will eventually redeem the institution.

Drilon issued the statement in response to the latest results of the 2013 Social Weathers Station (SWS) Survey of Enterprises on Corruption which showed significant downturn in the perceived sincerity of the Senate in fighting corruption.

The Senate leader said that the plunge in ratings “is perfectly understandable” and he believes the poor figure is “natural and temporary”.

“They are a natural consequence of the public’s outrage on the pork-barrel controversy, which involved the Senate as amongst the affected institutions,” explained Drilon.

“I believe what is clear now with these numbers is the gravity of the people’s intolerance to corruption in public service, and that positive changes which will eliminate government corruption are definitely in order,” stressed Drilon.

  

According to the Senate chief: “only genuine reforms which can be instituted through appropriate legislation would truly vindicate the Senate back into its status as an honored and trusted public institution.”

“The Senate will waste no time as it continues its efforts throughout this new year to institute policy reforms within the Senate and pass measures that will stamp out graft and corruption in the bureaucracy,” emphasized Drilon.

“We intend to produce results that the public can see for themselves - so that they would know that they are being heard, that something is being done,” he added.     

The Senate President pointed that throughout last year, initiatives like the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, the Senate inquiry on the pork barrel scam and the movement towards the Freedom of Information Bill –which is now in advanced stage of legislation – are examples of the Senate’s commitment to its anti-corruption and reformist agenda.

Drilon likewise mentioned various bills to help eliminate corruption such as the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law in order to “expedite the disposition of numerous ongoing cases bogged-down in the anti-graft court; amendments to the Republic Act 6770, or the Ombudsman Act, are “being seriously considered; and the Whistleblower’s Act and Witness Protection Program, among others.

“Our next actions will be devoted towards developing ways to ensure that the threat of corruption will no longer be an ugly stain on our nation and on our people. We can only regain the public’s trust by genuinely acting towards eliminating the scourge of corruption from institutions that are supposed to serve the people,” said Drilon. 

-end-

Statement of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon on the latest Pulse Asia Survey

  

We realize and accept that the controversies that hounded Congress last year cost us the trust and approval of our people. We have therefore committed ourselves to tedious but necessary actions that will enable us to regain public trust and approval.

We have just entered a new year, but I am confident to say that with the reforms we have been undertaking and with the number of important pieces of legislation that the Senate will be working on this year, we will leave year 2014 with the trust and confidence of our people in the institution successfully restored.

We take the result of the latest Pulse Asia survey as a challenge to improve our performance. We at the Senate are even more inspired and invigorated to heed the people’s call for genuine and lasting reforms and in passing legislation that will better serve the interests of the Filipino people, sustain economic growth, enhance government transparency, and eliminate corruption. 

– END - 

-----

Tinatanggap namin na ang mga kontrobersiyang kinaharap ng Kongreso noong 2013 ay nagdulot ng unti-unting pagguho ng tiwala ng taumbayan sa institusyon. Dahil dito, kami ay determinadong gumawa ng mga mahihirap ngunit kinakailangang hakbangin na magpapanumbalik sa nawalang tiwala at kumpiyansa ng taumbayan.

Kabubukas pa lamang ng bagong taon, ngunit masasabi ko na sa pamamagitan ng mga repormang aming isinasagawa sa Senado at ang mga mahahalagang batas at polisiya na aming bubusisiin ngayong taon, ating lilisanin ang taong 2014 na bitbit nating muli ang tiwala ng taumbayan.

Ang resulta ng bagong Pulse Asia survey ay isang pagkakataon para pagbutihan namin ang aming trabaho sa Senado. Kami sa Senado ay mas nabigyan ng inspirasyon upang tugunin ang panawagan ng taumbayan sa totoo at pangmatagalang reporma at magpasa ng mga batas na magpapalakas ng ekonomiya, transparency sa gobyerno, at magpapababa ng korupsyon. 

- END -   

Drilon: Sec. Singson’s competence, integrity unassailable

Press Release

08 January 2014

Refer To: Jeeno C. Arellano (09272286617)

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon has expressed his complete support for Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who he describes as “the most honest, efficient, and decisive Public Works secretary” he has seen throughout the last few administrations.

“I know for a fact that Sec. Singson would not stand for any shenanigans. He has shown zero tolerance for corruption since day one in office. His integrity and competence is unassailable,” said Drilon.

Drilon said that it is only under the leadership of Singson that genuine reforms such as improved procurement procedures, as well as competitive and transparent bidding have been effectively implemented in the department.

He lauded the strict adherence of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the policy requiring the preparation of Program of Work with detailed estimates for each capital outlay, instead of indiscriminate releasing of project funds.

“The effective implementation of these reforms resulted in P16 billion savings which can be utilized for additional infrastructure projects,” emphasized Drilon.

Meanwhile, the Senate chief said he believes that the allegations of overpricing in the construction of bunkhouses for Yolanda-hit victims are counterproductive, especially at a time “when DPWH’s attention is badly needed elsewhere.”

Drilon said that as with the President, he expressed satisfaction and confidence with the explanations provided by the DPWH secretary regarding the issue.

“In fact, the secretary’s recent offer to immediately resign if the allegations of overpricing are proven to be true is an admirable sign of class and character befitting a true public servant,” ended Drilon. 

-end