By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Four neophyte lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Wednesday (November 6, 2024) lauded the Senate Committee on Finance’s decision to adopt the House version of the proposed P733 million budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025.
In a press conference held on Wednesday (06 Nov 2024), Representatives Jude Acidre (Party-list, TINGOG), Zia Alonto Adiong (1st District, Lanao del Sur), Lordan Suan (1st District, Cagayan de Oro City), and Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon (Party-list, AKO BICOL) emphasized that this move confirms the House Committee on Appropriations’ decision to reduce the OVP budget and realign the P1.2 billion to other agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was “fair and free of politics.”
The Senate Finance Committee adopted the House version after the OVP failed to submit documents needed to clarify issues surrounding their proposed budget.
Rep. Acidre expressed concern that a government office would bypass established processes, particularly in the crafting of the national budget.
Regarding the upcoming 10th public hearing of the Quad Committee, the lawmakers voiced hope that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte would appear before the panel, as he holds crucial answers about the implementation of his administration’s war on drugs.
They reiterated that the Quad Committee is not a court of law, but rather a body designed to uncover the truth and hold individuals accountable.
The lawmakers also clarified that, contrary to malicious claims, the purpose of the hearings conducted by the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is not to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
The investigation into the use of confidential funds is aimed at legislative improvement, especially given its relevance to the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
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