https://youtu.be/EyzvG1xhACI
(Eagle News) – Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he would continue his investigation of the latest attempt by the House of Representatives to insert what he termed as “pork barrel” in the 2020 proposed national budget.
Lacson said that while the lawmakers had alleged withdrew the alleged “pork” insertions in the proposed budget, he is still questioning why the House had created a so-called “small group committee” regarding the budget after it had already passed third reading at the lower House.
The senator earlier said he had received information that the 22 House deputy speakers would allegedly receive P1.5 billion each in insertions, while P700 million were to be given as alleged “pork insertions” per congressman.
“So what i cannot understand is, sa legislative process kasi, pagka passed on second reading pa lang, ibig sabihin pasok na lahat na amendments, both committee and individual amendments. This time around, approved on third reading, wala na yan, bicam na dapat yan. So i cannot really understand kung bakit may small group committee,” Lacson said.
Lawmakers led by House Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro called on Lacson to apologize for what he claimed as wrong information on the House’s alleged pork insertions.
“Perhaps Senator Lacson could be sensible enough to realize what he has done and what he has damaged this institution by extending an apology, a sincere apology to this institution and to all the members of this House of Representatives,” Castro said.
But the senator said he would not apologize and that it was his duty to scrutinize the national budget.
Lacson even said that it was Castro and the other lawmakers who should apologize.
“He is the one who should apologize to the Filipino people for abusing their hard earned tax money in all the years that he is in Congress,” Lacson said.
“His whining and howling will not deter my vigilance in performing my mandate of scrutinizing the budget measure,” he added. (with a report by Meanne Corvera, Eagle News Service)
