By Jelly Musico/PNA
MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday thanked House Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. for addressing the infrastructure allocations allegedly inserted in the proposed PHP3.575-trillion national budget for 2019.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this reaction after Andaya clarified Senator Panfilo Lacson’s claim that the lawmaker from Camarines Sur and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from Pampanga have cornered the bulk of congressional insertions under the 2019 proposed General Appropriations bill.
In his letter to President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Andaya clarified that Arroyo’s district ranks 60th while his own district is in 110th spot in terms of appropriations of the Department of Public Works and Highway.
“We appreciate the gesture of House of Representative Majority Floor Leader Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. for immediately addressing the issue and explaining the proposed infrastructure allocation for the second district of Pampanga next year,” Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo assured that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to abide with the law in governing the people’s hard-earned money.
“While we respect the separation of powers and independence of the different branches of government, the Executive Branch, in no unequivocal terms, will not countenance any violation of our laws governing the budget, especially with regard to matters concerning our people’s hard-earned money,” Panelo said.
He said the executive branch will leave it to Congress to scrutinize, review and deliberate the proposed national budget and “make the necessary corrections, amendments or adjustments to ensure that all constituents, regardless of districts and political or party affiliations of lawmakers, are given equal opportunity for growth, progress and access to services, in line with PRRD’s vow of bringing a comfortable life for all Filipinos”.
In a Palace media briefing last Monday, Panelo said Arroyo has denied the alleged budget insertions in the proposed national budget.
He said the House Speaker and other congressmen will explain the budget allocations to their respective districts.
