Villar files Senate version of MIF bill; identifies possible sources of investment funds
Senator Mark A. Villar has filed the counterpart measure to House Bill No. 6608 or the bill that seeks the establishment of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).
Villar, chairman of the Senate banks committee, identified the sources of funds for the controversial MIF under Senate Bill No. 1670 which he filed on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
In his Senate Bill 1670, Villar identified the possible sources of funds as the investible funds of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), national government from the declared dividends of Bangko Central ng Pilipinas (BSP) and "other sources of funds as provided in the bill."
In the explanatory note of his bill, Villar said that the establishment of the MIF as well as the management, investment, and use of its proceeds shall adhere to the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability.
"This can be attained by enacting a law that will be a powerful tool for sustaining high-impact infrastructure projects, urban and rural development, agricultural support and other initiatives that would increase income and economic activity in the Philippines," the note pointed out.
Thus, the MIF bill should be passed for the achievement of the country’s economic goals, it added.
The bill also seeks the establishment of the Maharlika Investment Corporation that would be mandated to govern and manage the MIF funds.
Villar said the Corporation shall serve "as a vehicle for the purpose of mobilizing and utilizing the Fund for investments in transactions that will enable the Fund to reap optimal returns on investments while contributing to the overall goal of re-invigorating job creation and poverty reduction."
The Villar bill also seeks the creation of an MIF Joint Congressional Oversight committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the proposed measure.
"All documents of the Fund and the Corporation shall be open, available and accessible to the public," Villar stated in the bill.
"Graft and corrupt practices shall not be tolerated and those engaged in such acts shall be penalised," he added.
Villar's bill also listed fines ranging from P100,000 to P5-million to be exacted from violators.