PCGG sets higher remittances in 2023

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has committed to increase its remittances to P600 million next year.

During the hearing of the Senate committee on finance on the budget of the Department of Justice, PCGG chairperson John Agbayani said the body's budget was cut by P20 million due to underutilization last year.

Under the 2023 National Expenditure Program, the budget of the PCGG decreased to P145.5 million from P160 million under the General Appropriations Act of 2022.

“Actually we have met with the Secretary of Justice and informed him that our commitment for P410 million in 2023 will be increased to P600 million. That’s our commitment,” Agbayani said.

When asked by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on whether the PCGG needs the P20 million to deliver the P600 million, Agbayani said the target can be met.

“It can be done. We will be very appreciative of that,” he said.

According to the commission, it was able to recover P588 million in 2021.

Under the NEP, the DOJ proposed a budget of P26.6 billion. The budget was approved at the committee level.

The PCGG, an attached agency of the DOJ, is "charged to assist the President in the recovery of ill-gotten wealth accumulated by former President Marcos, investigation of such cases of graft and corruption as the President may assign, and adoption of safeguards against the mentioned practices," according to its social media page.—LDF, GMA News