By Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday stressed the need to revitalize the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) following President Rodrigo Duterte’s veto of some key legislative measures.
President Duterte vetoed the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development bill and its twin bill seeking to strengthen the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
He also partially vetoed the general tax amnesty provision under the Tax Amnesty Act (Republic Act 11213) because it did not contain a provision that lifted bank secrecy for fraud cases.
“This is again another testament that we need to revitalize or even upgrade the PLLO. This is the nth time that we do not know what the Executive department wants from us,” Sotto told reporters in a group message.
“Like all the other bills vetoed, we could have addressed the provisions that the executive department does not want to execute. The legislative department does not consult a crystal ball to know,” he added.
When asked if PLLO Secretary Adelino Sitoy should be removed from office, Sotto said it is up to the President to decide on the matter.
“If we want to keep on wasting time, not to mention money, on vetoed bills then let’s just sit and relax,” he added.
