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Public may be key to deflate ballooning spending
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Posted on Nov 30 1998
Amid reports that Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio inherited some $53 million worth of budget deficit from the previous administration, business leader Joe Ayuyu has one piece of advice to the local people to prevent government leaders from committing this again: Be critical on how government spends public funds.
“The huge amount of deficit shows the government’s free spending habit — that no one is accountable for the people’s money,” said Ayuyu. As a result, it is very important for the people to be fully aware of how the taxpayers’ money is spent by government officials.
The chief executive said the amount was based on the independent single financial audit conducted Deloitte & Touche which is now under review by the Office of the Public Auditor. Earlier, the government estimates the deficit incurred by the administration of former governor Froilan C. Tenorio to be at $32 million.
“We have to be vocal and critical on how every dollar is spent from now on to keep government officials always aware of their actions. After all, it is taxpayers’ money,” Ayuyu said.
The free spending stemmed from the belief that government revenue will never decline, he added. But Asia’s financial crisis is now threatening to cripple many businesses and further reduce the shrinking government revenue.
An earlier report by the transition team showed that the ex-governor spent close to $13 million in government money for sole source contracts alone that covered consultancy and lobby services in Washington, lease of vehicles and purchase of water color drawings.
It also said that $29 million intended for tax rebates was found to have been missing when it should have been at $31 million as of end-1997. The former governor claimed that the special rebate trust account might have been used to retire portion of the $40 million deficit left by his predecessor, Larry Guerrero.
