Political analyst to solons amid speakership row: Where are your moral compasses?

"Nasaan ba ang moral compass ninyo?"

This was the question posed by political analyst Dr. Clarita Carlos on Sunday to lawmakers amid the lingering speakership squabble at the House of Representatives that has affected the deliberations on the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Carlos expressed dismay over the ongoing intramurals at the House, which she said seemed to be more about the money now than anything else.

"Siguro ang itatanong natin, nasaan ba ang moral compass ninyo? 305 kayo. Parang lahat ata ng pera namin ay bino-broadcast niyo sa 305 people. And 'yun nga, ayon sa nadidinig natin, merong mga kaalyansa na mas malaki 'yung salapi kesa doon sa mga iba," she said.

"So it's not really about the speakership now. It's all about money which is so crass. Hindi katanggap-tanggap," she added.

The House last week approved on second reading House Bill 7727, or the 2021 General Appropriations Bill, without finishing the scheduled plenary deliberations on the budget anymore. It suspended its session until November 16 afterwards.

However, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday called for a special session of Congress from October 13 to 16 “to resume the congressional deliberations on the proposed 2021 national budget and to avoid any further delays on its prompt passage.”

Prior to this, several lawmakers have also called for the reopening of the plenary deliberations of the 2021 budget bill.

The special session will coincide with the supposed turnover of the speakership to Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco on October 14, as part of the "gentlemen's agreement" between him and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

Asked if the supposed turnover during the special session would cause more harm than good, Carlos said: "If these 305 people will, for one minute, just think of the nation at 'yung kakaharapin natin kung hindi magkaroon ng stimulus package, then they should take the consequences."

"So the speakership, what is one day? Why quibble about so many hours? So yeah, ayusin niyo muna 'yung budget, ipasa niyo. Kasi matagal pa 'yan e," he added.

Carlos also said the 2021 budget should be approved as soon as possible as the public is already getting impatient amid the pandemic.

"Huwag na nilang hintayin kasi yamot na yamot na ang publiko. Pitong buwan kang walang pera tapos ilang pirasong sardinas at ilang kilong [bigas]. How long will that last?" she said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives decided to hold a weekend caucus on Saturday to ensure  the passage of the proposed 2021 national budget.

During an online caucus with House majority members, Cayetano vowed that the special session called by Duterte will be "very fruitful." —KG, GMA News