(Eagle News) — Opposition lawmakers have complained of budget cuts in the newly passed national budget.
In a statement, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said he and members of the “Magnificent 7” were given “zero budget” for infrastructure funds.
The opposition group includes Reps. Teddy Baguilat, Gary Alejano, Edgar Erice, Raul Daza, Tom Villarin, and Emmanuel Billiones.
According to Lagman, the amount was not requested by the congressmen.
The projects were included in the General Appropriations Bill as part of the Department of Public Works and Highways submissions.
He said the amount was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives, but, was removed in the bicameral conference meeting.
He said this was upon the instructions of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
“Vengeance plus caprice equal zero allocations for authentic opposition Representatives and other targeted legislators in the House of Representatives,” Lagman said.
Villarin said that the cuts “serve as fair warning to the rest of the House members that all must obey and support the move for a Con-Ass, no elections in 2019, and a shift to constitutional authoritarianism.”
“Punishing democratic dissent by letting people suffer through withdrawal of basic government services is pure hubris,” he said.