From fertilizer to swine

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

A 2005 Commission on Audit report has revealed alleged irregularities in the handling of funds worth P2.25 billion under the swine program of a government corporation.  The COA reported noted deficiencies in the accounting of P747 million in funds for a swine program of the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp., or Quedancor.  The same report also noted irregularities with regard to the procurement of swine worth P1.66 billion, scored the awarding of contracts to a chosen group of swine suppliers, and observed that input supplies worth P47 million were not delivered to borrowers under the program.

Prof. Harry Roque of the UP Law Center says that the purported irregularities in the Quedancor program were very similar to the fertilizer fund scam, with both scandals involving the Department of Agriculture disbursing huge amounts cash that could not be accounted for during an election year.

Given this administration’s track record when it comes to the resolution of big ticket scams, which have so far diverted billions of pesos of the Filipino taxpayer’s money into private bank accounts, it is disheartening to admit that this alleged swine scam, one that was perpetrated during another election year under the term of the same president that turned a blind eye to the fertilizer scam, will most likely enjoy the same fate.  The government will look the other way while the perpetrators will manage to flee the country.

If this administration wants to be taken seriously in its rhetorical fight against corruption, it should stop shadow boxing and start going after the thieves who are blatantly stealing the people’s money.  If for some reason it cannot, then it should stop wondering why it is perceived to be one of the most corrupt in the history of the country.*