Why P1k budget for ERC, CHR? Why not, says solon

"Bakit hindi?"

This was how COOP-NATCO party-list Representative Anthony Bravo responded to the question why the House of Representatives only approved a P1,000 budget for the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

At a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday, Bravo pointed out that limited government resources pushed the House of Representatives to prioritize other programs and projects.

"There are so many government programs and projects that need funds and we have to make sure that we maximize our limited national resources. And funding agencies that fail to fulfill their mandates is truly a big waste," he said.

The House of Representatives only granted a P1,000 budget for the ERC citing internal problems and corruption in the agency.

Meanwhile, the CHR also only got P1,000 budget from the chamber after 119 lawmakers voted for the motion of 1-SAGIP party-list Representative Rodante Marcolate, who claimed that the agency has been selective in addressing human rights issues and that it is invalidly created.

"If the ERC is more concerned with building controversies than protecting consumers, then it should not be funded. If the CHR is more concerned with making allegations... then it should not be funded," he added.

Bravo said the decision of the House sends a strong message to all government agencies to use their funds according to their mandate.

"Kapag hindi niyo po ginamit nang tamang paraan at ayon sa inyong mandato, mawawala po ang budget na yan," he said.

Minority Leader Danilo Suarez on Wednesday said is willing to ask the House majority to reconsider the CHR's budget if its chairman Chito Gascon will resign from his post.

PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles has also urged ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar to resign in order to save the agency's budget. — RSJ, GMA News