Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri reveals that he and House majority leader Martin Romualdez agreed to a truce on the ongoing word war between their colleagues over allegations of pork barrel insertions in the 2020 national budget.
The two met and agreed to the ceasefire during the birthday party of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. Zubiri insists the exchanges do not reflect the sentiments of the institutions.
“Ang akin dyan is to be more circumspect, we have to work together to pass the budget. So I’m hoping that cooler heads will prevail and no further comment should be made on this particular issue,” Zubiri said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, though, is not yet done clapping back at one of those demanding an apology from him for alleging that the House earmarked pork for themselves in the spending bill.
Lacson claims Capiz Rep. Fred Castro tried to arrange a meeting with him recently but he declined.
“And when this thing came out, I asked my staff… parang merong ano a. ‘Oo Sir meron yatang ila-lobbing project,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson stated.
Castro also fired back.
“The issue is now becoming a child’s quarrel. The allegation, being fictional, does not deserve my comment,” Castro said.
Anak Kalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor asked Lacson if it is fair to implicate the whole institution, even the neophytes, in his allegations.
“The leadership and the entirety of Congress worked hard to have a record approval of the budget and instead of being commended by a colleague they are instead getting attacked. Where is the fairness and statesmanship there?” Defensor said in a statement.
Other lawmakers also called out Lacson.
“Maganda naman talaga kung mag apologize especially kung hindi naman nakita na kasama yun,”
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera Dy said.
“Sana malabas niya yung kaniyang evidence or number 2 kung siya nag-extend ng interparliametary courtesy i-resolve within the budget process kasi may bicam pa yan,” Diwa Party-list Rep. Mike Aglipay said.
The Makabayan bloc meanwhile wants the House leadership to bare the institutional amendments it plans to propose.
The progressive lawmakers blame the suspicions of pork barrel in the House’s abbreviated debates on the budget.
“However you may call it insertion or augmentation that is still pork and pork is part of the patronage system,” Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said.
“Hamon sa liderato ng Kongreso bago yan i-submit sa Senate talagang mabusisi yan next week,” ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said.
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon gave his assurance the Senate will scrutinize the budget to be submitted by the house. (Jasper Camilo)