Cayetano on Lacson ‘pork’ claims: Tsismis

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday dismissed as mere "tsimis" or hearsay the "pork" accusations against the House of Representatives which he said he would rather not respond to.

In a press conference, Cayetano insisted that the House-approved 2020 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), providing for the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020, has no pork, no illegal insertions, and no parked funds.

He reported, though, that the House introduced institutional amendments amounting to P9.5 billion divided among departments and agencies whose programs and projects need funding.

Senator Panfilo Lacson has claimed that the House had planned to grant P700 million to as much as P1.5 billion to each of its members under the 2020 national budget.

He and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also reportedly questioned that decision of the House to create a small committee to handle amendments to the 2020 GAB.

But Cayetano said he would rather not respond to "tsismis" or hearsay.

"Anyone of them, senador man or congressman, konsehal, miyembro ng simbahan, kayo sa media, tell me where the pork is, I’ll sit down with you, let’s discuss it. Kung guilty, sasabihin ko sa inyo guilty, kung innocent, I’ll convince you na innocent," he said.

"But if people give us tsismis and say 'my sources,' how do you respond to that?" he added.

Cayetano said the House welcomes any criticism regarding the budget, and its members respect Lacson for his advocacy against pork barrel.

"But hindi yata niya matanggap na yung House na ito ay anti-pork rin," Cayetano said.

Nevertheless, Cayetano assured that the House will ensure that the approval of the national budget for next year will not be delayed.

"I assume na itong criticisms are in good faith, but hinding-hindi papayag ang House na ma-delay ang budget," he said.

"So huwag nating i-compare sa nangyari before na nagpalit ng Speaker, may changes sa budget. Pero ngayon despite the tenuous speakership fight, nagkakaisa kaming lahat," he added.

For his part, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez urged the senators to take their issues up with the House leaders themselves.

"Nakita naman natin, hindi pa tapos ang pag-transmit ng ating version ng GAB, binabatikos na. At best, masyadong maaga silang magbatikos sa atin," he said.

"Kaya welcome and invite all Senate friends na kung mayroon silang duda o tanong, o meron silang intel o tsimis, puwede silang lumapit sa akin or tumawag. I am sure the Office of the Speaker and my office will always be open to any senator or anyone kung meron na may suspetsa ng pork," he added.

Institutional amendments

Of the P9.5-billion institutional amendments of the House to the 2020 national budget, P3.5 billion is allocated for the Department of Agriculture for purchase of palay from local farmers (P3 billion) and for Quick Response Fund (P500 million).

Meanwhile, P800 million is set for the Department of Education for the improvement of the K-12 program (P650 million) and for model day care centers nationwide (P150 million).

The Department of Health will be receiving a budget augmentation of P200 million for the National Health Center for Medical Health (P100 million) and for Quick Response Fund (P100 million).

The UP-Philippine General Hospital likewise will receive additional budget of P500 million for the provision of medical services.

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will each receive P1 billion as camp development funds.

Other departments will get the following budget augmentations amounts:

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Natural Resources Conservation and Development (P500 million)
• Department of Transportation for the operating expenses of the Davao International Airport (P274.95 million)
• Budgetary Support for GOCC for sitio electrification (P500 million)
• Allocation to Local Government Units - MMDA for special allowance for traffic personnel and field personnel (P200 million) and salary increase of 4,000 job order personnel (P300 million)
• Dangerous Drugs Board for the maintenance and other operating expense of Community-based Rehabilitation Centers (P250 million)
• Philippine Sports Commission for the preparation and training of Filipino athletes for the 2020 Olympic Games and 10th ASEAN Para Games (P500 million) 

—LDF, GMA News