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Monday, March 03, 2003
Senate not done with Agile, says Villar
By Antonio M. Ajero
THE Senate's inquiry into the activities of a US-funded lobby group is far from over, said Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. on Sunday.
The group, Accelerating Growth, Investment and Liberalization with Equity (Agile), has been pushing policy proposals, which benefit the United States, Villar said.
"We do not mind if they are a lobby group, but that there is need for them to disclose the extent of their presence in government agencies," he said, adding Agile is clearly working not for the interest of the country.
Earlier, senators were told by Agile chief of party Ramon Clarete his group's consultants were present in at least 14 key government offices.
Villar said the Senate inquiry into Agile activities is part from the senators' efforts to come up with amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla).
He however said the Senate is not concerned with meeting the March 15-deadline on Amla as senators are against being dictated by a foreign agency.
He however said the lawmakers are set to meet with officials of the Parish-based Financial Action Task Force next week.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, in Davao City last Saturday, said Clarete and his colleagues in Agile who are mostly American citizens, are engaged in more than helping several government agencies in policy formulation.
Villar has demanded for the identities of the 99 consultants for Agile.
(March 2, 2003 issue)
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