Gordon defends Arreza's salary

Senate to probe GOCCs on Tuesday

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – “He’s working without any raise from the same pay as his predecessors had.”

This was the statement made by Senator Richard Gordon during his speech at the inauguration of the P600-million leaf warehouse of the Philip Morris International (PMI) in Subic to defend Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza from allegations of receiving excessive salary.

Gordon also stated that Arreza’s work is no mere feat especially when you are running the economic flagship of the country.

He added that people shouldn’t question Arreza’s pay since he has been showing how much he is worth.

The senate will probe the allegations on top government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) officials’ fat paychecks after the Commission on Audit (COA) released a list that marks Arreza as the highest paid GOCC official in the country.

According to Senator Franklin Drilon, the finance panel will call on GOCC officials who are among the top earners on the COA list on the 24th of August.

The finance panel will discuss Senate Resolution No. 66 filed by Drilon to lay the basis for a remedial legislation that will be enacted.

The committee, Drilon said, will review the implementation of Republic Act 7656, which mandates GOCCs to declare dividends to the national government. He said possible abusive practices by government officials should be eliminated.

The hearing is called to look into possible excesses by state officials and seek ways to plug the ballooning budget deficit projected at P307.5 billion this year and P285 billion for 2011. By JONAS REYES - mb.com.ph/