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‘Reimburse govt of excess compensations’
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Posted on Dec 13 2006
Government boards and commissions that continue to set their own compensation rates were told to reimburse agencies of excess amounts paid them since uniform rates were established by law.
Acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez issued a memorandum yesterday in view of reports that some boards and commissions are still paying themselves compensation rates that exceed the limits set by Public Law 15-32. The statute was enacted on Sept. 28, 2006.
“The intent of the law is clear. The law aims to reduce costs of operating the government in light of the severe financial crisis we currently face. More importantly, however, it aims to immediately cease the gross abuse of power and privilege practiced by some boards and commissions. Serving on boards or commission [is a privilege], and members must be accountable to the public that they committed themselves to serve,” he said.
According to Villagomez, those boards and commissions that have not adhered to P.L. 15-32 since its inception should reimburse the proper amounts to their respective agencies as soon as possible.
“Failure to adhere to P.L. 15-32 will result in an investigation by the Office of the Public Auditor and prosecution by the Attorney General,” he said.
Authored by Reps. Arnold I. Palacios and Manuel A. Tenorio, P.L. 15-32 caps board compensation at $6,000 a year and subjects such income to taxes.
The law was passed in an effort to curb the highly publicized abuse of privilege and power allegedly existing among some boards and commissions. An OPA study showed that some board members get as much as $30,000 annually for attending meetings alone. OPA also found that some boards have established excessive compensation rates and that some appointees get paid for attending informal meetings.
To address this alleged abuse, P.L. 15-32 caps board compensation at $60 for a meeting that lasts four hours or more, and at $30 for a meeting that lasts two to four hours.
The law also prohibits compensation for attending a meeting unless the minutes of that meeting have been transcribed and adopted. Official representation allowance is banned. In addition, board members are not allowed to use a government credit card for any reason whatsoever.
