Manicad denounces pork barrel, mulls giving his budget to public hospitals if he wins

Denouncing pork barrel, Senatorial aspirant and former journalist Rodrigo "Jiggy" Manicad on Wednesday said he will transfer his budget to different public hospitals if he wins in the 2019 elections.

“Tutol po ako sa pork barrel. Nakita na po natin yan na talagang pinagmumulan ng kick back at komi-komisyon ng mga pulitiko,” Manicad said when asked about his position on the controversial budget during his interview on Dobol B sa News TV’s Ikaw Na Ba? senatorial interviews.

Tutok na po sa "Ikaw Na Ba? The Senatorial Interview 2019" ni Mike Enriquez hanggang alas nuebe ng umaga. Kikilalanin at kikilatisin natin ang broadcast journalist na si @jiggymanicad at cardiologist na si @DocWillieOng. pic.twitter.com/wdYfeRPRGV

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 23, 2019

Manicad vowed to advocate for public health, saying his budget would go into public hospitals through an institution-to-institution deal.

“Not necessarily sa pangalan ko, sa pagitan ko at ng hospital—hindi ho. Sa pamamagitan ho ng institution, Senate of the Philippines, at ng ospital na yun. Ang gawin po natin institution between institution,” Manicad said.

Manicad was concerned that untouched budget that would be sent back to the national treasury could just end up being stolen by other individuals.

“Baka mawala rin e. Baka mabalik sa national treasury, makupit din ng iba. Might as well (transfer it to hospitals),” Manicad said.

Manicad is a former host of GMA News and Public Affairs’ programs such as Reporter’s Notebook and Quick Response Team. — Joviland RIta/MDM, GMA News