By Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
MANILA — House of Representatives Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Friday defended the PHP2.4-billion allocation for Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s district, saying 99 more representatives enjoy bigger shares of congressional insertions in the proposed 2019 national budget.
In a press conference, Andaya said Arroyo’s district only placed 100th in terms of allocations, while his district ranked 186th.
He revealed that the biggest allocation for a congressman’s district was PHP8 billion under the General Appropriations Bill for next year. He, however, did not divulge the lawmaker’s name or the district.
“Just to clarify ang allocation ng ating speaker, she’s (Arroyo) actually ranked about 100. Around 99 congressmen na mas malaki po ang allocation sa kanilang distrito (who have bigger allocations for their districts). Ang sa akin naman po (In my case), I am ranked 186th sa allocation sa mga distrito (in allocation among the districts),” Andaya said.
“Kung titingnan po natin ang probinsya ng Pampanga, yung kay Speaker hindi pa rin po sa kanya malaking allocation. May mas malaking allocation sa distrito sa kanya at doon naman sa akin sa Camarines Sur, ako po ang pinakamaliit na allocation sa aming pong probinsya (If we would look at the province of Pampanga, the allocation for the Speaker is not big. There are still allocations that are bigger than her district and in my district in Camarines Sur, I have the smallest allocation in our province),” he added.
Earlier, Senator Panfilo Lacson disclosed that a male lawmaker from Camarines Sur got at least PHP1.9 billion and Pampanga’s second district received PHP2.4 billion worth of congressional insertions.
Andaya represents the first district of Camarines Sur, while Arroyo represents the second district of Pampanga.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Malacañang would ask Arroyo to explain the purpose of the allocation but assured that President Rodrigo Duterte could easily exercise his power to veto.
“It behooves those who are involved in the realignment to respond to the protest of some elements of society,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing on Thursday.
“The President can always use veto power if he feels that there is a need for that,” he told the media in an interview after the briefing.
