By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Legislators should work harder and serve the Filipino people well to restore public trust and confidence in the Senate.
There is no other way, according to Senate President Franklin Drilon.
Issues on the pork barrel system and the government’s economic stimulus program have unfavorable effects on the Senate, Drilon said.
Senate had a negative net satisfaction rating in a recent survey among select members of the Makati Business Club.
Its rank fell from 14th to 62nd, the lowest among government agencies, the survey showed.
“Tanggap natin ’yan. Dahil na rin sa Disbursement Acceleration Program at Priority Development Assistance Fund issues, ito po ay nakikita talaga natin,” the senator from Iloilo City said yesterday.
Public trust can also be restored through job creation and pay increases for public sector workers, said the veteran legislator.
“Kaya nga po aming pagtatrabahuhan ang national budget na tatapusin namin bago magtapos ang taong ito, mga pagtaas ng subsistence allowance sa mga pulis at sundalo, at pagbigay ng buwanang pension sa mga senior citizen at socialized housing sa NHA (National Housing Authority), ay atin pong bibigyang kaukulang pansin,” he said.
Drilon said he will also make sure that the pork barrel will not be included in the 2015 national budget.
Other government agencies that got negative scores in the Makati Business Club survey were the House of Representatives, Department of Agriculture, Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation and Communications, Bureau of Customs, and Department of Energy, among others./PN
