VP bets see no problem in opening bank accounts for scrutiny

AMITA LEGASPI, GMANews.TV
01/14/2010 | 05:28 PM




Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/181581/vp-bets-see-no-problem-in-opening-bank-accounts-for-scrutiny


If elected vice president, Sen. Manuel “Mar" Roxas II said he would open his bank accounts for scrutiny and would ask other government officials, including the president, to do the same. His contenders agreed with the proposal, but some said it should not be mandatory.

Roxas said this is the most concrete step to curb corruption and promote transparency in government.

“Ang unang gagawin ko ay agad na susulat ng isang waiver sa bank secrecy sa aking mga bank accounts at yan ay ibibigay ko at imumungkahi ko kay Pangulong Noynoy [Benigno Simeon Aquino III] na ito ay gawing isang batas," Roxas said during a press conference before the taping of GMA’s Isang Tanong: The Vice Presidential Forum.

(The first thing I would do is to sign a waiver on my bank accounts and I would propose to Senator Noynoy Aquino, if he will be elected president, to make it a national policy.)

Both Roxas and Aquino are running under the Liberal Party (LP).

In a separate interview with GMANews.TV, Roxas said, "Hindi naman hamon (sa mga kalaban). Isang konkretong hakbang ito para sa transparency, para hindi lamang sa salita... Matagal ko nang ipinapanukala yun, senador pa lang ako."

(I'm not challenging my opponents. It's a concrete step for transparency, so it's not just talk. I've been proposing this since I was a senator.)

Under the Bank Secrecy Law, the government can only examine a particular bank account upon the order of a court.


Roxas proposal OK, but . . .

Roxas’ proposal got mixed reactions from other vice presidential aspirants who attended the press briefing. While others agreed to it, there were those who said there is no need for it to become a national policy.

Senator Loren Legarda, vice presidential bet of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and running mate of Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party, said there is nothing wrong with Roxas’ proposal and she would sign a similar waiver if elected.

“Kung ano ang nakikita nyong ari-arian sa net worth ko ngayon, ni isang sentimo ay walang madadagdag. Ang net worth ko pagpasok ko, yun din ang aking net worth paglabas ko (If I am be elected, my net worth when I take the post will be the same when I relinquish the post)," she said.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD bet Edu Manzano, however, believed that signing the waiver should not be required. "I don’t think that it should be imposed or preconditioned. It can be voluntary or it will be up to the candidate," he said.

"But in a more positive perspective, if we feel it could provide greater transparency for the electorate to be able to closely monitor us, then I am all for it," said the running mate of former Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Why not?

Broadcaster Jay Sonza, vice presidential bet of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, shared Manzano's view. "They [officials] don’t have to [sign a waiver], but if that will make it more transparent, I find no reason why we should not," he said.

Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando said he would sign a similar waiver only if the president would do the same. "Yes, if the president will sign a waiver, why not?"

Fernando is running under the banner of Bagumbayan Party with Senator Richard Gordon as its presidential bet.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay of the United Opposition (UNO) and Dominador Chipeco of Ang Kapatiran shared Fernando’s sentiment.

Former Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Perfecto Yasay, vice presidential bet of Bangon Pilpinas, said that more than signing a waiver, the government should give more teeth to the laws that ensure transparency. - KBK/RSJ/HGS, GMANews.TV


Original Story: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/181581/vp-bets-see-no-problem-in-opening-bank-accounts-for-scrutiny