By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that aid distribution not part of lawmakers’ job, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday lashed at lawmakers’ presence in the distribution of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), and other forms of government aid.
The defeated 2022 presidential candidate made the statement in apparent dig at Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who led the aid distribution to some 3,000 residents in Siquijor.
“Hindi lang sa ‘di obligasyon ng congressmen at senator mag-distribute ng TUPAD, AICS at kung anu-ano pa. Illegal yan, bawal ‘yan. Kasi ang papel ng Kongreso sa budget process, ang budget authorization, pag-legislate. Hindi pwede mag-implement,” Lacson blurted out in his Sunday interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that the Sunday distribution of P1,000 worth of rice and P1,000 cash assistance in Siquijor province was facilitated under the Cash and Rice Distribution (CARD) Program, a joint initiative of Romualdez and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Lacson stood pat in his declaration that such actions by lawmakers — without mentioning Romualdez — is “unconstitutional” and “illegal.”
He stressed that a lawmaker’s main obligation on government aid is to scrutinize the yearly National Expenditure Program (NEP) of the government, which also carries its budgetary requirements for the given year.
Lacson explained that this is followed by Congress’ responsibility to legislate the national budget and authorize the government to utilize the fund.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that Lacson is now apparently making his presence felt for his senatorial run in next year’s midterm elections and possible presidential bid in 2028, taking notice of Romualdez’s consistent rise in approval ratings on recent surveys.
(el Amigo/MNM)
