House summons Diokno to a Question Hour on 2019 budget

The House of Representatives has ordered Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to attend its Question Hour on Tuesday to answer queries of lawmakers and clarify matters related to the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019.

Last Tuesday, the chamber adopted House Resolution 2307 as Resolution No. HR00158, filed by Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, requiring Diokno's appearance and participation in the Question Hour regarding the budget.

In compliance with the rules of the House, Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. has sent Diokno a letter saying that his presence is needed during the plenary session on Tuesday at 3 p.m. "to answer questions from the members of the House of Representatives."

Andaya also sent the proposed questions that Diokno would need to answer during the Question Hour.

The House leader also required Diokno to "bring all pertinent documents such as disbursements, releases and office memos addressed to all government offices, among others."

Diokno, however, has yet to confirm his attendance to the Question Hour as of posting time, according to Suarez's office.

In the original resolution that he filed, Suarez said that summoning Diokno is part of the House's congressional powers to hold legislative inquiries and exercise oversight functions.

"Pursuant to Article VI Section 22 of the Constitution and Rule XVII Section 124 of the House Rules of the 17th Congress, either House may request heads of departments to appear and be heard by such House on any matter pertaining to their departments, invoking its power to conduct question hour," Suarez said.

Diokno's presence during the Question Hour is important, Suarez said, as "issues regarding budget insertions arise, thereby raising the possibility of having a re-enacted budget for 2019."

The Question Hour is a period where lawmakers confront members of the Executive Department, particularly Cabinet Secretaries, and hold them accountable for their acts and the operation of the government.

While it was already practiced in previous Congresses, it will be the first time that the Question Hour will be held under the leadership of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. —LBG, GMA News