Tag: Budget secretary

Diokno: Andaya’s allegations vs me merely “illusory”

(Eagle News)–Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has refuted House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr.’s accusations against him, calling them “illusory.” In a statement, Diokno said the “numbers are wrong and the narrative he’s selling is not grounded on facts.” In the first place, according to Diokno, the Department of Budget and Management is “not involved in the implementation of projects and awarding of contracts.” “Contracts are awarded to contractors after open and competitive bidding in accordance with the […]

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Diokno: Some lawmakers plan to use road users’ tax to cover campaign expenses for 2019 polls

(Eagle News)–Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday, Dec. 19, said some lawmakers were planning to use the road users’ tax which he has refused to release as their campaign kitty. “Marami nang lumapit sa ‘kin. I won’t name names, tinatanong (nila ang) status ng road users’ tax. Sabi ko, hindi ko re-release until that issue on the Road Board is settled,” Diokno said in a Palace briefing. Diokno was referring to the Road Board, which […]

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Panelo: Directive for Diokno not to attend House inquiry “presumably” from Duterte

(Eagle News) — It was “presumably” President Rodrigo Duterte himself who ordered Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno not to appear before a House hearing on budget issues, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. In a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Panelo said it was only the President, after all, who could tell Diokno whether to make the appearance or not in the hearing slated on Jan. 3 next year in Naga. “The basis would be the […]

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Palace: Duterte’s confidence in Diokno remains “unimpaired”

(Eagle News) — The Palace on Thursday, Dec. 13, said Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno still enjoys the full trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 2365 urging President Duterte to reconsider his appointment of Diokno. The lower house adopted the resolution authored by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, after House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya accused Diokno of being behind alleged insertions […]

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House adopts reso urging Duterte to reconsider appointment of Diokno as Budget secretary

Diokno unfazed; questions integrity of his accusers  (Eagle News) — The House of Representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 12, adopted a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his appointment of Ben Diokno as Budget secretary. House Resolution 2365, authored by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, was adopted after Diokno was grilled by House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya for what the lawmaker said were “insertions” amounting to  billions in infrastructure funds in the proposed 2019 national budget […]

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Abad denies road scam allegations; says DBM “has nothing to do with negotiations, approval” of right of way claims

(Eagle News) — Former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad on Friday denied he had anything to do with a supposed P8.7-billion road scam, noting that the Department of Budget and Management, in the first place, “has nothing to do with the negotiations and approval of right of way claims.” “The expertise and function for that lies with the (Department of Public Works and Highways),” Abad, who held the position during President Benigno Aquino III’s time, […]

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Pay hike for cops and soldiers included in 2017 budget

  (Eagle News) – Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno confirmed on Monday that the increase in the base pay and allowances of soldiers and policemen had been included in the 2017 national budget. Diokno, however, did not give any more details as he is expected to make the announcement about the figures in Malacanang on Tuesday. In a yearend video report, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte would fulfill his promise to the […]

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