Filtered By: Topstories
News

AFP to ask Congress for more flexibility in spending funds


Amid the controversies hounding it, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is set to ask Congress for more flexibility in spending its funds to address the special needs of its ground troops. At a press briefing in Malacañang, AFP spokesperson Gen. Jose Mabanta said they are now drafting a proposed bill on a special disbursement scheme, which they will submit to the Senate and House of Representatives for consideration. “Remember that the Armed Forces is not like any ordinary government agency. There are some exigencies that come our way and then programmed expenses cannot be really, or once in a while, it cannot be performed because we are very situational," he said. “We can probably ask Congress to craft a certain law on the special disbursement scheme that is transparent and still within the bounds of the rules and regulations, that we can be able to use… for whatever need that may arise," Mabanta further said. He explained at times they have to shift forces to Mindanao and bring them back again. “Pretty soon, or we never can say, there may be some battles that need to be fought, or probably we may need to help out the UN in whatever way. We confront several threat groups and we are the principal office that is called upon when there are disasters or rescues to be conducted," he said. Mabanta clarified that the proposal is still on the drawing board and they are still consulting some lawmakers about it. He also could not say when they will be able to finalize the proposal. Mabanta said reforms have been instituted in the military since the alleged anomalies involving former AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia were made public in 2005—even before whistle-blower Lt. Col. George Rabusa exposed the alleged corruption and misuse of funds within the military. “The Armed Forces right now is much, much better than few years back and we will pledge to perform better and be more professional," he said. He further said that, among the stakeholders in Philippine society, it is the soldiers who would really want to find out what really happened to the AFP funds. “If there is really any truth to the exposé, kami mismo [we ourselves], we feel we are the aggrieved party, we are the offended party, and we are the ones who will feel the brunt of all the so-called exposé," he said. Mabanta also pointed out that it was the AFP that asked the Office of the Solicitor General to intervene on their behalf and asked the Ombudsman to reconsider its controversial plea bargain deal with Garcia.—Amita O. Legaspi/JV, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT