Manila Bulletin
Andaya dares Senate to hold joint press conference to clear air on Lacson's accusations
Andaya dares Senate to hold joint press conference to clear air on Lacson's accusations
Andaya dares Senate to hold joint press conference to clear air on Lacson's accusations
Published Mar 5, 2019 07:50 pm
By Ben Rosario
To once and for all erase all doubts of irregularities in the approval of the national budget, the House of Representatives challenged yesterday the Senate to conduct a joint press conference on the issues raised by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., Chairman of House Appropriations Committee (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN)
“If the procedure being undertaken by the House is illegal, then the Senate is equally guilty if on its part it had itemized the pet amendments on the budget by the senators,” stressed Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
He pointed out that the proposed General Appropriations Act which is still pending approval by President Rodrigo Duterte “is a product of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Andaya was responding to Lacson’s accusation that the Lower House, led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo manipulated the proposed 2019 GAA before its ratification.
Citing information from congressmen, Lacson, a staunch critic of Arroyo, said the former president allocated P25 million for favored congressmen while only P8 million for each solon who did not support her election as speaker.
“I believe that we follow the same rules and procedures in crafting the national budget,” said Andaya.
“The House is itemizing the appropriations therein, fleshing out lump-sum funds, without departing from the approved specifications of the House-Senate approved budget, and by so doing make the budget more transparent and easy to scrutinize,” he explained.
According to Andaya detailing the items in the budget and enumerating what will be funded, projects and programs per agency and per congressional district will be “clear and evident.”
“We have been insisting to our friends in the Senate to fully disclose the authorship and details of the Senate amendments to the budget,” Andaya stated.
He also stressed that Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Speaker Arroyo “are not directly involved in the bicameral committee discussion. Responsibility rests on the Bicam conferees.”
Andaya said to clarify everything he, being the head of the House contingent to the bicameral conference committee, and Sen. Loren Legarda, who heads the Senate members, should hold a joint press conference.
“After all, transparency and accountability is the name of the game,” stated Andaya.
Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., Chairman of House Appropriations Committee (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN)
“If the procedure being undertaken by the House is illegal, then the Senate is equally guilty if on its part it had itemized the pet amendments on the budget by the senators,” stressed Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
He pointed out that the proposed General Appropriations Act which is still pending approval by President Rodrigo Duterte “is a product of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Andaya was responding to Lacson’s accusation that the Lower House, led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo manipulated the proposed 2019 GAA before its ratification.
Citing information from congressmen, Lacson, a staunch critic of Arroyo, said the former president allocated P25 million for favored congressmen while only P8 million for each solon who did not support her election as speaker.
“I believe that we follow the same rules and procedures in crafting the national budget,” said Andaya.
“The House is itemizing the appropriations therein, fleshing out lump-sum funds, without departing from the approved specifications of the House-Senate approved budget, and by so doing make the budget more transparent and easy to scrutinize,” he explained.
According to Andaya detailing the items in the budget and enumerating what will be funded, projects and programs per agency and per congressional district will be “clear and evident.”
“We have been insisting to our friends in the Senate to fully disclose the authorship and details of the Senate amendments to the budget,” Andaya stated.
He also stressed that Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Speaker Arroyo “are not directly involved in the bicameral committee discussion. Responsibility rests on the Bicam conferees.”
Andaya said to clarify everything he, being the head of the House contingent to the bicameral conference committee, and Sen. Loren Legarda, who heads the Senate members, should hold a joint press conference.
“After all, transparency and accountability is the name of the game,” stated Andaya.