The Lower House insists that there is no pork barrel in the House-approved 2020 PhP4.1T national budget. House Majority Leader and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez belied Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s allegation that Php1.5B is allocated for deputy speakers. Romualdez also asked the senator to name his sources. Capiz 2nd District Representative Fred Castro said that the House is ready to face the Senate in case it conducts an investigation on the pork claims. Castro pointed out that the additional funds allegedly for the deputy speakers but for employees of the House, enhancement of the Congressional Budget and Planning Office and improvement of facilities.
