Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co
Appropriations chair directly answers VP Sara’s accusations
HOUSE Appropriations Chairman Elizaldy Co directly answered the accusations of Vice President Sara Duterte, that only he and House Speaker Martin Romualdez have control over the national budget.
Cong. Co also said on VP Sara’s accusation, “Again, malaking pambubudol na naman nila yan. Akala siguro nila hindi matalino ang taumbayan.”
“Ang Committee on Appropriations po ay may miyembro na 139 at ang vice chairmen ay 36,” Co explained.
The lawmaker added that the national budget will also be reviewed by the 24 senators and then by the Bicameral Conference Committee of the Senate and Congress, which have 30 members.
“So, paano na dalawang tao lang ang may hawak ng national budget, e ang daming dinadaanan niyan,” said the Ako Bicol partylist representative.
Cong. Co added, “Mukhang hindi alam ni VP na ang Office of the President ang mag-e-execute ng budget at hindi ang Congress.”
Rep. Co also challenged the vice president that it would be better for her to first answer the questions of Congress and the Commission on Audit (COA) on how she spent the P125 million confidential and intelligence fund in just 11 days.
“Bago siya mag-akusa ng kung anu-ano, kanino, e, sagutin niya muna ang tanong ng taumbayan – Saan mo dinala yung pondo ng bayan?” he added.
The appropriation chairman also wondered why VP Sara did not attend the budget hearing of his office yesterday.
He asked, is the vice president afraid and might not be able to answer the questions of the legislators?
It was Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta who seemed to serve as the spokesperson of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
