PINURI ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ang desisyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. na ilayo sa pamumulitika ang Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF).

Kumpiyansa si Speaker Romualdez na makatutulong ang hakbang na ito ng Pangulo sa ikatatagumpay ng kauna-unahang sovereign wealth fund ng bansa.

Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos tinanggihan nito ang panukala na siya o ang Finance Secretary ang mamuno sa MIF. Iginiit nito na ang MIF ay dapat patakbuhin ng competent at independent financial managers.

“President Marcos’ demand for MIF investment decisions and management to be predicated solely on sound financial and business practices manifests his resolve to ensure the fund is adequately safeguarded and would grow to achieve its purpose,” saad ni Speaker Romualdez na isa sa pangunahing may-akda ng MIF sa Kamara

“It is a prudent move on the part of the President that would bolster its potential to achieve its purpose of mobilizing additional funds without the need for additional borrowings or taxes to accelerate the implementation of flagship infrastructure projects meant to sustain the country’s robust growth,” dagdag ni Speaker Romualdez.

Sa ilalim ng RA 11954 o Act Establishing the MIF na nilagdaan ng Pangulo noong Martes, magsisilbi lamang na ex-officio chairperson ang kalihim ng Department of Finance.

Bagkus, ang nine-member Maharlika Investment Council (MIC) ang mangangasiwa sa pondo na pangunguna ng isang Independent Director.

Sinabi ni Speaker Romualdez na sa kanyang pakikipagpulong kay Singaporean Ambassador Constance See, sinabi ng foreign envoy na ang maayos na pamamahala sa sovereign funds ay magreresulta sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya, mas mataas na kita at dagdag na savings ng bansa.

Pagbabahagi pa aniya ng embahador na ang kanilang bersyon ng sovereign wealth funds na GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corporation) Private Limited at Temasek, kasama ang Central Bank ay nakapag-remit ng dibidendo na katumbas ng 20% ng kanilang national budget.

“With competent managers of proven track record and unquestioned integrity running the MIF, I am confident that it would eventually provide significant contributions to widen our fiscal space finance projects that would create jobs and uplift the lives of our people,” dagdag pa ni Speaker Romualdez.

Sa kasalukuyan, inilalatag na ang implementing rules and regulations (IRR) para sa bubuohing MIC.

Ang MIF ay gagamiting puhunan sa iba’t ibang asset gaya ng foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic at foreign corporate bonds, joint ventures, mergers at acquisitions, real estate at high-impact infrastructure projects, at iba pang proyekto na may kaugnayan sa sustainable development.