(Eagle News)–The House committee on rules on Thursday, Jan. 3, kicked off its investigation into what House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said were “anomalies” in the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019.
The first hearing kicked off in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Andaya had alleged a “favored” contractor, C.T. Leoncio Construction, linked to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno through his in-laws, had cornered at least 30 government projects in the billions of pesos.
He also alleged Diokno was behind the “insertion” of around P75 billion in infrastructure funds in the proposed 2019 national budget without President Rodrigo Duterte nor the Department of Public Works and Highways being aware of the same.
Andaya hurled the accusations against Diokno after Senator Panfilo Lacson said Camarines Sur–Andaya’s province—and a district in Pampanga–Speaker Gloria Arroyo’s district—had cornered “congressional insertions” in the House-proposed national budget for 2019.
On these bases, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution urging Duterte to reconsider his appointment of Diokno, but the Palace stood by the budget secretary, citing his integrity.
Diokno has denied all allegations.