By Ben Rosario “The President knows best.” Officials of the House of Representatives made this opinion as the chamber’s leadership assured Malacanang it will fully support President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision on the 2019 national budget. In a Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) sortie in Bacolod City, Duterte hinted the veto of the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act that contained a P3.757 trillion national budget. Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN) “The President knows what is best for the country and our people,” said Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. in a statement. Andaya, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, was quick in pointing to the Senate as the culprit in a presidential veto of the proposed budget. “We have repeatedly warned that the billions of pesos slashed from the 2019 budget just to fund the senators' pet projects would hamper the implementation of the President's major infrastructure program,” said Andaya On the other hand, House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro assured Duterte that in their approval of the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act, congressmen showed their strong backing to the Duterte’s priority bills and programs. “The HoR firmly supports President Digong’s action on the GAB,” said Castro. “The House of Representatives, under SGMA leadership, has clearly defined its legislative agenda to be always in accord with and always in full support of President Duterte's priority bills and programs,” he explained. The Lower House and the Senate have been trading accusations over budget insertions and cuts in the 2019 proposed national appropriations. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto even went as far as writing Duterte a letter to accuse the House of illegally amending the bicameral conference committee report on the budget after the chamber had ratified the report. Andaya countered that the House action was neither illegal nor unconstitutional.  He then came out with his own accusations that senators imposed big budget slashes from Duterte’s projects then reinstated the cuts as funds for Senate members. Describing the accusations of Sotto and Sen. Panfilo Lacson as “downright intrigues and bizarre accusations”, Castro said the Lower House action merely guaranteed the enhancement of transparency and accountability in the budget. “This move is in sync with President Duterte's strong and unflinching stance against corruption and wastage of public funds,” Castro stressed. The senior administration solon added: “We will respect whatever is the decision of President Duterte on the 2019 national budget.” Meanwhile, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago called on Duterte and Congress leaders to put an end to the so-called “pork wars”, apparently in reference to the feud over billions of pesos in funds to finance lawmakers’ projects. “The seemingly endless war of public officials over insertions and allocations that resemble pork barrel has already stalled the approval of the 2019 budget for several months,” said Elago. “While they fight over who gets the larger share of pork funds, the Filipino people are suffering from the inefficient provision of social services like education, healthcare and housing,” lamented Elago. Read more: Duterte threatens to veto entire 2019 budget if found unlawful