(Eagle News)–The Palace on Wednesday, March 6, said President Rodrigo Duterte will not interfere in the “intramurals” in Congress over the national budget for 2019.
“They will have to settle whatever conflict they have among themselves,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
Panelo issued the statement when asked whether the developments in Congress were delaying the transmittal of the bill for Duterte’s signature.
Senator Panfilo Lacson’s has alleged Speaker Gloria Arroyo realigned P25 million from the budget for the solons who voted for her as speaker in July last year even after the budget ratification by Congress.
Lacson said only P8 million were allotted for those who did not vote for her.
House appropriations chair Rolando Andaya denied the allegations, saying the House was merely “itemizing” the budget so it would be easier to scrutinize.
He added neither Arroyo nor Senate President Tito Sotto were involved in discussions in the bicameral committee for the budget.
The Palace has said Duterte would use his line-item veto is any provision in the budget ran against the Supreme Court decision against pork barrel.
