By Fernan Angeles
IN an apparent effort to impose transparency in all government offices, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted at the need for transactions of various government agencies to be publicized amid allegations of corruption.
In his pre-recorded public address aired on Tuesday, Duterte said he wants expenses of government agencies to be published in newspapers, including the details of the bidders such as their addresses.
“‘Yung PhilHealth, lahat, DPWH, Agriculture, DND, ipa-publish ‘yung mga… so you must prepare in advance because I will require them to publish in newspaper, sa tatlong newspaper, general circulation… mamili na kayo kung anong newspaper gusto niyo,” Duterte said.
“Ipa-publish ko ito ang mga bibilhin at pagkatapos ipa-publish ko… pagkatapos sa notice, sino ‘yung bidder. Ipangalan nila. I want them kung saan sila nakatira. In the same manner sa Customs ngayon, ‘yung mga consignment sa mga pangalan lang, di na puwede ngayon,” he added.
A full page ad in Manila-based major daily broadsheets costs P100,000 at the very least per page, as compared to digital newspapers which offers less than half of what print editions charge.
The President also said he wants Cabinet officials to regularly report the disbursement of funds of their respective departments.
“Mag-report sila ng respective agency disbursement. Ilagay nila magkano ang ginastos and for what. At the end of the month, maybe… or buwanan mas maganda. Makita na nila mapunta ba ang pera sa gastos at sino,” Duterte said.
“Maski ‘yung paper clip i-publish ninyo at sino ‘yung bidder na mag-supply ng paper clip maski isa. Isabi mo diyan sa newspaper para mabasa,” he added.