REP. ALFELOR.   Mr. Speaker, may I be privileged to interpellate the distinguished Gentleman from CIBAC. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.    Gladly, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, especially coming from the distinguished Gentleman from  Bicol Region. 

But if you are looking for mistakes or for blaming the contents, then there is another bidding set for that, which is the bidding on the substantive aspect.  So that I think it is a mistake to blame Vibal for the whole fiasco.  What you should do is to blame the one who wrote the book which was also  subject of  a bidding, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Well, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, I thank the distinguished Gentleman for raising that issue, Mr. Speaker, but, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, in my privilege speech, I also mentioned the accountability of the Department of Education, the people who are supposed to, at least, double check, Mr. Speaker, the contents of the printing of these textbooks.   Mr. Speaker, another thing that I would like to add, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that there a lot of rumors allegedly coming from different sectors that printing isactually being done in other countries.  I am not very sure, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, if this is true, but if, indeed, it is true, then we also want to question, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, why do we allow these things to happen. 

REF. ALFELOR.  Well, you see, I just had a conversation with the Secretary himself, Secretary Lapus.  And he told us that he was being blamed for the transaction and this matter already occurred even before he took   office.  And secondly, he emphasized that there are two sets of bidding.  So that if there is a defect in one, you blame those involved in the second bidding.  For example, bidding on the substance.  If it were only manufacturing, then it is the bidding on the printing itself.  Now, there is another point  I would like to emphasize.  You were trying to blame the World Bank for imposing some conditions.  I think we must be aware that we have been borrowing from the World Bank since time immemorial.  And like any other lending agencies, they impose some conditions before they release their funds.  For example the DBP, before you can get any fund from the DBP, there is  requirement of the collateral and second, the stage of the construction that has been already attained.  On the basis of which, they inspect the property, they inspect the construction, and  they release the fund.  That is similar also to the World Bank.  They always impose   conditions.  We cannot, we cannot, as a borrowing nation, impose our condition  on the World Bank.  So that if we do not like to avail of the World Bank fund, then we look for another source of funding. Perhaps Congress would appropriate funds for that.  But if you want to borrow from the World Bank, then you have to agree and we cannot complain about it because before we sign, it is understood that we have read  the conditions and that we have agreed to the conditions.  And after the loan has been given to you, released to you, you are now complaining for, I don’t know for what reason.  You should have complained before and perhaps you should not have availed of the loan in the first place, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Mr. Speaker.  Mr. Speaker, we are not saying, Mr. Speaker, that we don’t appreciate the role that these international financial institutions are playing, particularly World Bank.  But what we are asking, Mr. Speaker, right now is that, why do they have to meddle in the bidding process?  We are now asking, why do they have to write a letter to our IABAC or Inter-Agency Bids and Awards Committee, and our DepEd Undersecretary in order to, again qualify, again include these two already disqualified bidders. So that is what we are asking.  We, of course, appreciate what the World Bank, the JBIC and the ADB is doing.  But we cannot, Mr. Speaker, sacrifice very important issues like education, specially, Mr. Speaker, that we are already talking about loans, Mr. Speaker.  And [this is] these are actually loans, Mr. Speaker.  This is not part of any grants being given by World Bank.  If it is a grant, then it is okay, Mr. Speaker.  We could probably work on their recommendations and parameters.  But if it is a loan, Mr. Speaker, and they would meddle, and they would pressure our IABAC, then it is a different story, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ALFELOR.  I think we have to go back to the impression of the World Bank.  Some agency released some data on the frequency of corruption among the countries in the world, perhaps we were classified in the upper limit.  So that must have been the reason why the World Bank intervened because of the impression that [he] it wants to have the bidding or the transaction clean and clear.  That is why they want to be part and parcel of the whole process in the spending or disposition of the funds all throughout, because perhaps of the impression that our country is more or less still classified as among those who are in the upper limits insofar as corruption is concerned.  I think that was … 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  We appreciate it, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. ALFELOR.  … the spirit.  I am just telling you, perhaps—I am not saying that this is the … 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Yes, and we appreciate it if they do intend to ... 

REP. ALFELOR.  … the very basis for the World Bank.  But perhaps, it could be the basis because—well, it has been publicized that there are always some anomaly to some extent, although … 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  And that … 

REP. ALFELOR.  … this has already been—medyo kaunti na lang ngayon.  I don’t know. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  And that is why, Mr. Speaker, … 

REP. ALFELOR.  But anyway, that is the reason perhaps why … 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  … we wanted them to answer. 

REP. ALFELOR.  … the World Bank intervened all throughout the process. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  And that is why, Mr. Speaker, we wanted them to answer these allegations because if this is correct, Mr. Speaker, this would constitute again a direct intervention in the affairs of Philippine state and a direct assault on our sovereignty, considering the fact, Mr. Speaker, that again, these are loans.  These are not grants.  And considering also, Mr. Speaker, that they have been promoting good governance.  They have been promoting accountability and government transparency in this particular instance, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ALFELOR.  Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, if a government interferes or if a government enters into a contract with a private entity or with a government agency, it lowers down its sovereignty.  It surrenders some of its sovereignty because it makes itself bound by the provision of the loan agreement.  So we cannot claim sovereignty in this regard, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, because there is a voluntary surrender of that sovereign rights of the state when it comes down and becomes like a corporation, in which case it will have to submit to the terms and conditions of the contract.  In the same manner that we have the ZTE that has been approved already, the broadband, if ever, that has not been settled yet, it has to come down to the level of the entity with which it is transacting and agree and conform with the provisions of the contract, like any other corporation, like any other person, except that the state is a juridical entity. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  But the question is, Mr. Speaker, how far would you go in sacrificing your sovereignty?  Mr. Speaker, I think it is very clear when World Bank issued this so-called SEMP, the objective is more concrete—improving basic social services by enhancing performance, efficiency, quality and equity, and governance, transparency and accountability in the social sector departments, including, of course, education, through systems improvement and reforms, in particular, procurement, financial management and information technology reforms.   And that is why, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, our only concern is the fact that when they lend money, ito pong mga financial institutions na ito, hindi nila dapat dinidiktahan ang isang bansa kung sino ang dapat mag-print, kung sino ang dapat mag-supply ng mga textbooks na ito.  Iyon po ang sinasabi natin.  Because apparently, what happened here, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor,  is the fact that after sometime we were able to produce at least 17.5 million books that are defective, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ALFELOR.  Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I have already made my point clear and I just want to congratulate the distinguished Gentleman from CIBAC for bringing the matter to the fore.  I think this is really a point of concern for all of us Congressmen that there are a lot of defects,  lot of faults or miss, well, in the very process for which we should provide some safeguards as pointed out already in the privilege speech made by the distinguished Gentleman from CIBAC. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Thank you very much and I appreciate the interpellation made by the Gentleman. 

Interpellation of Rep. Eduardo Zialcita 

REP. AGBAYANI.  The second to express his intention to interpellate was the Honorable Ed Zialcita, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. CHIPECO.  Mr. Speaker. 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Singson, E.).  You will have your turn,  Congressman Chipeco,  after Congressman Zialcita. 

REP. CASTRO.  Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  Will the Gentleman from CIBAC answer a few questions please, Your Honor? 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Singson, E.).  Congressman Zialcita is recognized. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  Will my distinguished colleague from CIBAC answer a few questions? 

REP.  VILLANUEVA.  Gladly, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, specially from the Gentleman from Parañaque. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, I completely agree with your concern that we should get to the bottom of this textbook scam because it leaves a lot of things, it leaves a terrible bad taste in the mouth, so to speak.  I just like to reconfirm some of the issues that you raised.   First, that there was a public bidding and in the middle of the public bidding, the IMF, which is supposed to be crusading for good and clean government, intervened in the public bidding and insisted on a particular supply.  Is that correct? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Yes, Your Honor.  After the public bidding, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, the Inter-agency  Bids and Awards Committee headed by assistant secretary of DBM and a representative  of the Department of Education disqualified these two bidders namely Vibal and Watana, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  And what are the reasons for the disqualification of these particular publishers? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.   It is primarily because, Mr. Speaker, of conflict of interest.  And as we all know, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, conflict of interest occurs if the bidder is a corporation or partnership and it has officers, directors, stockholders, controlling shareholders, partners or members in common with another bidder.  And I think it is very clear that is why IABAC and together with the representative of the Department of Education disqualified the two said bidders, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  So the bidders were disqualified obviously because of conflicts of interest and in the middle of it all the IMF… 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  The World Bank, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  The World Bank which is supposed to be promoting good government, transparency and what have you intervened in the proceedings and instructed the PBAC to reconsider the bidders.  Is that correct? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Yes, Your Honor. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  And what did the Department of Education do?  They just followed blindly, is that what you are saying? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Well, that is one question that we are trying to raise, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor—that  how come it is  so easy for them to just accede to the letter of this senior economist and World Bank East Asia and Pacific Regional Head Rekha Menon, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  Precisely.  So we should ask the World Bank to explain, first of all, why they intervened in the proceedings, right? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Exactly, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  Because this would set a very bad precedent.  As you know,  the World Bank is fond of offering its financial assistance but if they are going to put so many strings attached to it, then it will definitely create a very bad precedent among other agencies that they donate their monies to, right? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  I agree, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor.  In fact,  I am giving the benefit of the doubt the World Bank executives in America because at this point in time, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor,  we have  yet to receive  any comment  from this agency-- from this financial institution.

REP. ZIALCITA.   So, I think it is incumbent upon this Congress to ask  the World Bank  to explain its position on the matter and to justify why  they had to intervene in a  textbook  purchase that amounts to  how many millions of  pesos?  

REP. VILLANUEVA.   That amounts to about – this is a  $100 million  loan, Mr. Speaker.   And I think the bottom line  here para ho  maintindihan natin  yong mas lalong  masamang epekto  ay yoon pong  pagpo-produce ng mga erroneous textbooks.   At katulad po ng nasabi natin kanina, at least  l7.5 million textbooks po  yong mga  erroneous textbooks na nai-print.  

REP. ZIALCITA.  So,   here is  an international agency, which is supposed to have its reputation intact,   influencing a decision to purchase textbooks and to make  matters worse, lending a hundred million  dollars to our  government to purchase those books, right?  

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Exactly, Mr. Speaker.  

REP. ZIALCITA.  And I am really wondering, you know the government has been bragging lately that they have been able to  pay some of these foreign debts.    So, in the meantime that the   national government  is paying  its debts and  is bragging  about it,  the national  government is at the same time borrowing money – a hundred million dollars to purchase  books, right?  

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Yes, Mr. Speaker.  

REP. ZIALCITA.   So, isn’t that very inconsistent of this government of ours  to brag that it is  paying its debts  

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Exactly, Mr. Speaker.  

REP. ZIALCITA.    And to proclaim as one of its achievements that it is slowly retiring and at the same time  here is a classic example,  it is borrowing a hundred million dollars, right? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Yes, Mr. Speaker.  

REP. ZIALCITA.     So, perhaps  you should also ask the government -- I do not know what   agency -- to explain to  us why they have to borrow a hundred million  dollars when in fact, we’re now saying that the Department of Education  has one of  the highest budget-- a  P120 billion  a year.   So, whereas, we’re giving them the highest priority  at the same time, they are now a  borrowing a hundred million dollars which we  at the end of the  day will pay.   So, I think the government should also be   accountable to explain.  So  we are now looking at the DECS and we are now looking at  the DBM. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.   In fact, Mr. Speaker, if you look at  our 2008 budget,  nakapaloob po rito yong ating ire-remit for  this year  amounting to $8.32 million or P382,000,000 for these defective  textbooks.

REP. ZIALCITA.   I’m sure, my distinguished colleague from CIBAC  is embarrassed about it —I’m  getting embarrassed and humiliated.  REP. VILLANUEVA. Definitely, Mr. Speaker.  

REP. ZIALCITA.   Because of the  comedy of errors that are going on.  And are you   also trying  to tell me  that the same publisher  that was, in fact, promoted by the  World Bank is the same publisher who published books with —did you say 450 errors? 

REP. VILLANUEVA..  Actually, Mr. Speaker,  according to Mr. Antonio Calipjo Go,  Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, if you look at the books being  printed by this particular publishing company, you will notice  that at least 50% of the books is erroneous.  And according to him,  he is being kind, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor,  because  if you scrutinize the book itself, it would  --it might  increase to 75%, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor.  And one textbook that caught my attention,  Mr. Speaker,  is this “Asya:  Noon, Ngayon at sa Hinaharap”, being used by our second  year high school students.  And in that  316-page  textbook published by Vibal Publishing, there are about 413 errors,  Mr. Speaker, Your Honor.  

REP. ZIALCITA.    Well, it is really beginning to sound like a  comedy of errors.    When the printer that the  World Bank is promoting, it’s the same printer that committed so many errors.   You know, if you ask me personally,  when you  make an error as astronomical as this -- maybe I  will give you a chance if you commit an error of five  mistakes -- but  when you  commit more than  five mistakes, you should be  completely and totally banned by the department of this government that is supposed to be in charge of  education.  Isn’t that unforgivable almost? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  I wanted to say that, Mr. Speaker, but being a Christian, I love to forgive people and give them the benefit of the doubt.  But they have to, number one, repent and at the same time, pay the price of what they did, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. ZIALCITA.  Well, I am in complete empathy with your concern but first we have to get to the bottom of this textbook bill because the implications are rather astronomical.  You have the World Bank who is not even--who does not even have a share of a Filipino, interfering in a supposedly public bidding for certain books and awarding the same publishing--publication--to the printer that has committed the most … I mean, this is really embarrassing, humiliating.  And to make matters worse, they have just added another $100 million to the foreign debt which is taking about 50% of the national government budget.  We were just talking about it yesterday. We are all complaining about that debt problem of this country and the government kept on saying that they have managed to retire so many of these loans and here we are again borrowing another $100 million--I do not know who permitted it in the first place; so I agree with the Gentleman that we should really look at this case and I hope I am wrong that the same thing is not happening--the government pays debts, at the same time, borrows more and more.  So, the debt cycle continues and at the same time, we, the Filipino taxpayers, at the end of the day, are burdened.  As it is, we are already burdened with 50%.  For every P1, 50 centavos goes to debt servicing and we have just added $100 million.   So you have my complete support, my distinguished Gentleman from CIBAC.   Thank you very much. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you very much to the distinguished Gentleman from Parañaque.  And I would just like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that it is indeed important that we revisit our debt policies, that we try to look into this matter carefully and try to find out, Mr. Speaker, if there is a way to fight for illegitimate debts; and, perhaps, talk to the financial institutions about this and before we allot money--big portion of or a big chunk of our budget in paying for these debts, we should make sure that these are legitimate debts, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. Thank you so much.  

Interpellation of Rep. Justin Marc Chipeco

REP. CHIPECO.  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker. 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Singson, E.).  The Honorable Chipeco of the Second District of Laguna. 

REP. CHIPECO.  May the honorable Gentleman from CIBAC answer a few questions, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Certainly, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, especially from the Gentleman from Calamba, Congressman Chipeco. 

REP. CHIPECO.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am really bothered by this revelation.  Well, I guess this is not a revelation since this issue came out months ago.  However, Mr. Speaker, I am quite bothered that it seems that this government has a policy of securing so many loans, not only with these loans coming from the World Bank but also, recent issues came out such as the NBN contract, with regards to the ZTE; and again, with the cyber-education contract, again, with the Department of Education. May I know, Mr. Speaker, what does the Gentleman think about the policy of this government securing so many loans, Mr. Speaker. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Well, I thank the Gentleman--the distinguished Gentleman from Laguna in bringing this up.  I think, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, as I mentioned earlier, that we have to revisit our debt policies, and in this particular case, Mr. Speaker, the meddling of World Bank in the bidding process conducted here in our country.   The distinguished Gentleman is correct in saying that there are a lot of loans--the ZTE, NBN, even, Mr. Speaker, that Austrian incinerator.  I remember that Austrian incinerator that we are paying about P500 million, Mr. Speaker.  And this Austrian incinerator, if you look at it carefully, its purpose--the purpose of the loan is actually illegal.  The purpose of the loan is illegal. The purpose of the loan is illegal already, Mr. Speaker, and yet, pumasok pa rin po tayo doon and pag tinignan po natin muli ang ating budget ngayong 2008, we are again remitting funds for this Austrian incinerator.  And that is why, Mr. Speaker, the distinguished Gentleman from Calamba is correct in calling for this august Chamber to revisit our debt policies.   Number one, perhaps, Mr. Speaker, is by at least auditing our debts.  Because up to now, Mr. Speaker, no one really knew how much our debt is.  And number two, Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to say the word repudiation but -- Mr. Speaker, let’s call it loan reduction.  We should not be paying for fraudulent debts. Like for instance, this Austrian incinerator which is – in which, Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the loan is illegal already.With regards to this textbook scam, Mr. Speaker, I think we should finish  the investigation first before we remit this $8.32 million or P382 million for 2008. 

REP. CHIPECO.  You know, Mr. Speaker, I read in the newspaper that the government has finished paying the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.  We have been paying that for so many years.  Maybe I was not alive then when we started paying for that particular project.  And for the past three years that I have been in Congress,  when I look at the General Appropriations Act, it seems that the amount that we do pay for foreign debt has increased so much that problems on social services, education and other social concerns within the budget is being eaten up by this foreign debt.  And again, we have this law of automatic appropriation wherein they always say in the Committee on Appropriations that we cannot do anything, Mr. Speaker, because it is already a law that we automatically appropriate for the payment of this debt. And again now, Mr. Speaker, we read in the newspaper that this government, again, would secure loans coming from China, coming from Japan, and other countries in which they are lending to this country. I am scared, Mr. Speaker, that, again, the cycle – the cycle of the past would again haunt us all where this new generation would again pay for so many loans contracted by this government.  And again to be paid for the next 10 years, 20 years and again a cycle of saying that, what  can we do, Mr. Speaker?  But again we have to pay these loans.  That is why, Mr. Speaker, and even if you look at our Constitution, Article VII Section 20, may I state and I quote, Mr. Speaker, “The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided for by law.  The Monetary Board shall, within thirty days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete report of its decisions on applications for loans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law.” Mr. Speaker, it is said in this Constitution, that before the President may contract loans that would increase our public debt, there are two conditions, Mr. Speaker.  Number one, there should be a recommendation coming from the Monetary Board. And again, number two, these recommendations should be submitted to Congress.  May I know, Mr. Speaker, from the honorable Gentleman from CIBAC what are his reactions about these particular provisions. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  I agree, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor.  In fact, when the distinguished Gentleman from Nueva Vizcaya rose on a matter of personal and collective privilege raising that ZTE contract, this Representation raised that very provision in the Constitution.   In fact, Mr. Speaker, this Representation also stated that in the Constitution it was also mentioned that bills, when it comes to taxes, even increasing public debts, must emanate from the House of Representatives and, therefore, at least the House of Representatives must be given a copy of this contract, must be informed about this.  And I agree with the distinguished Gentleman from Calamba that indeed we are facing a great problem when you talk about debt policies.   And may I just quote FDC, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, saying that: “The root of the problem is the government’s policy of relying heavily on foreign creditors to finance social projects highly susceptible to corrupt practices.  A policy which ironically would have been unnecessary should the government have chosen to allocate more to social services than debt payments.”  And so, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, I think it is but proper for this august Chamber to look into this matter and finally come up with a, perhaps,  joint resolution with the Senate to audit our debts, and again to review these debts if indeed there are debts that we can actually declare as illegitimate debts.   

REP. CHIPECO.  Well, Mr. Speaker, again, when I was in Law School, I was taught by my professor that the power of the purse is with Congress, and the right to appropriate funds for the use of the Executive Department or any department exclusively lies with the authority coming from Congress.  It seems that, Mr. Speaker, in this situation again, and again—maybe, so many administration has come and passed—it seems that Congress has not really enforced this power on the right to use its power of the purse. It seems, Mr. Speaker, again, the Executive Department is encroaching upon Congress’ rights by contracting loans without even informing Congress.  And again, Congress, when appropriations—when the GAA is again submitted to us, we again allocate.  Maybe not, because it is automatically placed in the GAA or the General Appropriations Act the payment of these loans.   May I know, Mr. Speaker, what are the reactions of the honorable Gentleman from CIBAC on the power of this Congress to appropriate and provide funds in all expenses, expenditures of this government. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, as an optimist Representative from CIBAC, I still believe that the power of the purse is still with the House of Representatives.  But you cannot blame other people from saying that it has become a myth.  And that is why, perhaps, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, this is one of my calls dito po sa ating privilege speech to scrutinize actively ito pong mga nakalagay sa ating budget, lalung-lalo na po iyong mga binabayaran nating utang—utang na ilehitimo, utang na nag-cause ng napakaraming problema dito sa ating bansa lalung-lalo na sa pag-iimprenta ng mga erroneous at defective textbooks. 

REP. CHIPECO.  Well, siguro tama po iyong sinabi ng ating kaibigan from the CIBAC Party-List na marahil minumungkahi namin na magkaroon po tayo ng audit ng ating utang.  Sapagkat sa pangkasalukuyan, eh tatlong taon na po akong nakaupo dito, ay hindi ko pa po alam ang utang, kabuoang utang ng ating bansa.  Alam po natin ang binabayaran nating utang nguni’t hindi po natin alam ang totalidad ng utang ng ating bansa at iyan po ay binabayaran natin lahat sa pamamagitan ng pagbayad natin ng buwis, sa pagdaragdag ng buwis.  Sinasabi po natin noong nakaraang Kongreso, sapagka’t kailangan nating mabayaran ang ating mga utang, tinaasan po natin ang VAT from 10% to 12%, tinanggalan natin iyong mga exemptions at isinama na po natin iyan, tinaasan po natin ang sin taxes.  If you remember it right, last 13^th Congress, we did some bills to increase our sources of revenues.  And again, because what? – Because we have been paying our debt.  It has been the root of all problems, Mr. Speaker. Kaya po marahil, sapagka’t itong isyu na ito, ayon sa aking nakikita  marahil, sabihin na po natin, ay sa DepEd lamang o sa Department of Education sapagka’t ang sinasabi po ng ating kaibigan ay bagama’t may utang na malaki na kinuha po at ibinigay po sa atin ng World Bank – again, ang paggamit po nito ay maraming mali sapagka’t marami pong mali na inilagay po sa loob ng libro.  Nakakalungkot isipin na pati pa ba ang edukasyon ng ating mga bata ay gagawan pa ho ng hocus pocus, di ba?  Hindi na ho mina-magic iyan.  Iyan pong bagay na iyan marahil ay sa konsensya na lang po ng bawa’t isa ay dapat hindi na po ginagalaw iyan.  Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, bagama’t malaki po ang halaga, ilang bilyon po itong pinag-uusapan natin, marahil ang temtasyon po dito ay napakabigat po. Sana po, iminumungkahi namin sa Kongresong ito ay, unang-una, kung maaari ay gumawa po tayo ng auditing ng atin pong utang at pangalawa, imbestigahan po natin na ang bawa’t utang na iyon ay siyang ating masusing pag-aaralan -- kung iyan po ay nagagamit sa isang tamang programa na ang nakikinabang po ay ang bawa’t isang mamamayan at hindi lamang ang iilan.  Marahil kung iyan po ay magawa po ng Kongresong ito ay malaki na pong tulong, malaki na pong pagbabago ang atin pong maipapakita sa ating taong bayan. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Totoo po na masarap iyong may nagpapautang sa atin pero kung iyong nagpapautang po sa atin ang masusunod kung papaano natin ito gagastusin ay hindi naman po tama iyon. Pangalawa po, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to ask my distinguished colleague from Calamba to join me in filing this resolution in auditing our debts.   And another thing, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, we might consider, Mr. Speaker, as a Body, as an august Chamber, Mr. Speaker, we might probably consider creating perhaps a Committee on Foreign Debts in order to assess these issues being raised here on the floor and perhaps look into the matter, especially those illegitimate debts.   Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. CHIPECO.  Well, lastly, Mr. Speaker, I remember in last Congress, the honorable chairman of now the Chairman of Appropriations has filed a bill for the auditing of the debt of this country and I would like, maybe, you know, since he is now the Chairman of Appropriations, maybe he would help us also in continuing this fight in determining the debt problem of this country. That is all, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much to the honorable Gentleman from CIBAC. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker; thank you, Your Honor. And just in closing, I would like to state for the record that this Representation look at it as a positive approach in our quest to finally audit our debts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  

Interpellation of Rep. Victor Agbayani 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Singson, E.).   The honorable Gentleman from Capiz is recognized. 

REP. CASTRO.    Mr. Speaker, I understand, Mr. Speaker, that the Gentleman from the Party-List Bayan Muna has signified his intention to interpellate ahead of this Representation by listing his name among the interpellators with the Acting Majority Leader.     Considering this situation, Mr. Speaker, this Representation yields to the Gentleman from Bayan Muna. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  

Interpellation of Rep. Teddy Casiño 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Singson, E.).    The Majority Leader. 

REP. AGBAYANI.    Mr. Speaker, may we recognize the Honorable Casiño from Party-List Bayan Muna. 

REP. CASIÑO.    Thank you, Majority Floor Leader, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if my colleague from CIBAC Party-List would yield to a few questions. 

THE DEPUTY SPEAKER (Rep. Singson, E.).    The Honorable Casiño is recognized. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.    Gladly, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, especially coming from a friend from Party-List Bayan Muna. REP. CASIÑO.    Salamat po.    I am very glad that my colleague from CIBAC Party-List has raised this very timely issue of the World Bank’s involvement in our textbooks – textbook program --  especially in the Department of Education.     I will not go – I will not delve into the details of the present scam or the present controversy, but would like to widen our discussion a bit to look into the historical involvement of the World Bank in our educational system.   I wonder if my colleague is aware that the World Bank has been involved in our educational system for a few decades now.    In fact, as early as 1972, the Ten-Year Educational Development Plan of the Marcos dictatorship was funded in part by a loan from the World Bank worth P500 million.     Is my colleague aware  that the World Bank has been here – has been in the educational sector for several decades now? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.   I have heard about this, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. CASIÑO.   In fact, for our information, it was a few years later, after 1972, when the Marcos government implemented a new curriculum whose stress was on vocational and technical training, at the expense of Social Science and the Humanities, and this change in curriculum was funded by the World Bank.   In fact, many critics of that World Bank educational program funding said that, such program eroded the national and social consciousness of the students that surged during the massive nationalist actions of the late 1960’s and 1970’s.  Such that by 1983, again through a World Bank funding, the Marcos government came up with a new elementary school curriculum with textbooks supplied by the World Bank.  So, in fact, the World Bank has been supplying textbooks since the late ‘70’s and the early ‘80s.  Not only that, it expanded its textbook programs to include even high school students with, in 1989, a new secondary education curriculum.  So, my concern, in fact, just to complete the picture, the World Bank has been responsible for funding education programs of the succeeding governments as well.  You have the Edcom, under the Aquino government, President Ramos’s Education 2000 Program, you have the Philippine Commission on Educational Reforms under Estrada, and now, the various World Bank-funded programs with the DepEd and other educational institutions under Arroyo.  Does my colleague share my view that if there will be an investigation by the House, we might as well, expand the coverage, not only to include this particular controversial, perhaps anomalous deal, but to look at the bigger picture at why the World Bank is so intent on funding not only books but various educational programs, comprehensive programs of our government? 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  I agree, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, with the observation made by the distinguished Gentleman from Bayan Muna.  And I thank him for the information that he has given to this Representation and to this Body.You know, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, it is very surprising that after the World Bank launched SEMP in 2000, with the goal of enhancing quality education, and quality of governance in social sector departments, in 2002 of September, they came up with the same program, the SEMP II.  And one important component of SEMP was the provision of textbooks.  And if you look at the objectives of this particular program, it is more concrete than SEMP.  And it talks so much about improving basic social services, enhancing performance, and they have been very active especially in pursuing good governance in 37 countries, Mr. Speaker, including the Philippines.  And that is why we are so surprised to find out that this particular financing institution is allegedly meddling in the Biddings and Awards Committee conducted here in our country, 

REP. CASIÑO.  Not only that.  In our schools’ curriculum as well, the World Bank has been meddling, to use the word of my colleague.  In fact, maybe my colleague would be interested to know that, because of a World Bank package on the curriculum, the DepEd abolished—this was in 2002—the DepEd abolished Values Education as part of the curriculum.  I wonder if my colleague knew that.  That they don’t teach Values anymore in elementary and high school.  And this is according to a World Bank recommendation. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  And that is why, Mr. Speaker, we have to check on this.  Because      suspicions      will  continue to haunt us, suspicions of corporate,government collusion, and even manipulation on the part of the World Bank, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor. 

REP. CASIÑO.  Not only that, Mr. Speaker.  The World Bank curriculum also reduced, dramatically, the time taught for Social Science and History in our curriculum resulting in what Leticia Constantino, one of our great educators, legendary educators, a very prolific writer—she said that the kinds of textbooks supplied by the World Bank mold the student as an individual who will accept the present social order and his place in it.  And that it fosters what she called “bland cultural nationalism” that urges students to celebrate shallow notions of identity that expunge a history of Filipino struggle against exploitation and colonialism.  She elaborates further that these books teach the young students to be patriotic, to be proud of their indigenous culture and their national identity.  But national identity is equated only with having our national flag, national flower, national tree, national costume, etc.  In short, a bland cultural nationalism is fostered. This is the reason why many of our educators are alarmed that these kinds of World Bank funded books removed the notion of nationalism among our young people, such that today, young people are not as interested in nation building, in national issues, in engaging the status quo in pushing for nationalist reforms, because the curriculum has already been tweaked, has already been altered by these World Bank funded education programs and textbooks. So, I hope that indeed, when the hearing comes up, that the investigation will be expanded to include the more insidious ways in which the World Bank has been tinkering with our educational system through textbooks and various educational programs that is to the detriment of our country. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Well, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, to add injury to what the distinguished Gentleman from Bayan Muna is talking about, we were able to produce 17.5, at least 17.5 million defective books.  And as I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, these books are masasabi po natin na napakaraming pagkakamali ... 

REP. CASIÑO.  Yes. 

REP. VILLANUEVA.  … maging sa historical data, cultural data, etc., na talagang napakahalaga po sa atin.  And in fact, nakakalungkot dahil po dito, the Department of Education ay kailangan pang mag-issue ng 21-page errata guide.  At pag tiningnan n’yo rin po itong nangyari dito, iyong printing ng ating libro na supposed to be ay dito sa ating bansa ay ipini-print sa ibang bansa.  Iyon ho ang pagkakasabi.  Cheaper po ba doon?  So, if it was printed in other countries, why was bidding held here in the Philippines?  Dapat, doon na lang nila ibinid. So, nakakalungkot po, ano, na itong mga pangyayaring ito and we seek answers from World Bank, considering that according to them, they are promoting good governance, they are promoting transparency and accountability, they are helping these 37 developing countries including the Philippines, in order to put up mechanisms that will address the problem of graft and corruption. 

REP. CASIÑO.  Yes, Mr. Speaker.  Sa katunayan po, pagdating ko ng kolehiyo, I had to relearn my history because the history that was taught in my elementary and high school appeared to be what we call a colonial history, a history from the point of view of our colonizers. So, thank you, distinguished colleague.  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.   

REP. VILLANUEVA.  Thank you, distinguished Gentleman from Bayan Muna.