Bill seeks to institutionalize Robredo's full disclosure policy

A MEMBER of Congress is seeking the immediate approval of a measure requiring local government units (LGUs) to publish their list of expenses, similar to the full disclosure policy (FDP) introduced by the late Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

House Bill 607, filed by Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, requires provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and barangay officials to post within the territorial jurisdiction of their LGUs a summary of all income from both public and private sources.

The measure also requires LGUs to publish a listing of all their disbursements, expenditures and utilization of funds for the entire year.

Robredo, who died in a tragic plane crash on August 18 in Masbate, introduced the FDP in the Department of Interior and Local Government DILG). The policy requires LGU officials to disclose 12 key financial documents.

"This is our way of acknowledging the legacy of a great man, by continuing the worthy program that he had started," Angara said, noting that his proposal has been pending before the House committee on local government for the past two years.

Under the measure, heads of all LGUs shall post the summary of income and expenses in the provincial capitol building, the city or municipal and barangay hall, and in at least three other accessible and conspicuous public places for at least two consecutive weeks.

LGU heads shall likewise have them published within 60 days from the end of each calendar year in a newspaper of general publication within their territorial jurisdiction once a week for at least two consecutive weeks.

Violators of the proposed law shall be fined at P30,000 but not more than P50,000 or imprisonment of three to five months. They shall likewise face possible temporary disqualification from holding public office or even a suspension order from the Ombudsman. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)