Cayetano’s ‘theatricality’ took ‘hostages’ budget debates – Velasco

MANILA, Philippines – “Rather than focus on the job at hand, more political and theatrical maneuvers took budget deliberations hostage.”

Marinduque’s representative, Lord Allan Velasco, said this Wednesday while reminding President Alan Peter Cayetano that on October 14 he was chosen for the speaker rotation due to his commitment to approve the budget that day, “and to do nothing but disrupt or derail the process. “

Velasco made the comment after the lower house decided to suspend budget deliberations until Friday, October 2.

Before the suspension, Cayetano offered to resign from his position because part of his shared term agreement with Velasco was rejected.

“We lost a whole day, and even tomorrow, where you have stated that no sessions will be held, which are crucial to meeting our schedule,” Velasco said in a Facebook post.

“These attacks and distractions only serve to perpetuate what is a purely personal agenda that threatens to delay the approval of the budget. This is the truth, ”he added.

According to Velasco, during his meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night, Cayetano “promised” to resign on October 14.

“For the spokesman Alan Peter Cayetano, it was last night when he promised to resign on October 14 when the president ordered him to comply with the shared term agreement. ‘Ito ay usapang lalaki,’ ”Velasco said.

In addition, the president entrusted him with the task of announcing the billing date. October 14 was chosen as the date for the rotation because we promised to approve the budget before October 14 and not to do anything else that could interrupt or derail the process, “he added.

With the date set, Velasco said it was “regrettable” that the lower house has proceeded to suspend discussions on the 2021 budget bill.

“I call on my colleagues to continue our work and approve the budget before October 14. This is the commitment we make to the President, and this is our responsibility to our voters, to deliver a fair and equitable budget. ”Velasco said.

“I assure my colleagues that we will be a kind leader who will listen and respond to your concerns. But I make a sincere plea: Let us defend the dignity of the House of Representatives by being men and women who believe in the ‘Word of Honor’ to keep our word and defend the shared term agreement. President Cayetano and I swear to honor and respect. ”He added.

It was the Anakalusugan party representative, Mike Defensor, an ally of Cayetano, who decided to suspend the budget deliberations. Vice President Luis Raymund Villafuerte, another Cayetano ally, seconded the motion.

Defensor said the suspension would give the lower house time to address lawmakers’ concerns regarding funding for various government programs.

Meanwhile, Villafuerte insisted on the power of Congress, while attacking Velasco, who allegedly promised to approve the National Expenditure Program (NEP) without realignments or changes.

“Our institution must not lose its economic power. Just by approving the budget as it is in the NEP, it would seem that we have lost authority, power, prerogative to fully scrutinize and make a suggestion, “said Villafuerte.

[Original statement: “Dapat hindi mawalan ng power of the purse ang ating institution by just passing the budget as it is sa NEP ay lumalabas ay wala na tayong otoridad, power, prerogative to full scrutinize and give a suggestion.”]

Noting that PhilHealth had a proposed budget of more than P70 billion despite allegations of anomalies in the surrounding area, he said: “Our institution needs to take a closer look at the budget and find out why we need that amount.”

[Original statement: “Dapt along usisain ng ating institusyon kung bakit ba natin kailangan ng gangtong amount.”]

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