IKINALUNGKOT ng mga lider ng iba’t ibang partido politikal sa Kamara de Representantes ang ginawang paninira ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa institusyon na dati nitong kinabibilangan.

“We, leaders of all political parties in the House of Representatives, take utmost exception to the remarks made by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte,” sabi ng pahayag na inilabas ni House Secretary General Reginald Velasco. “It is deeply unfortunate that the former President chose to malign the very institution that for years supported many of his own legislative priorities.”

Nagpapatuloy umano ang dedikasyon ng Mababang Kapulungan na mapaglingkuran ang mamamayang Pilipino.

Ang desisyon umano na ilipat ang contingency fund ng iba’t ibang ahensya, sa gitna ng tensyon sa West Philippine Sea (WPS) ay ginawa ng para sa kapakanan ng bansa.

“It is essential to understand that this decision was made for the benefit of the nation and not as a personal affront to any individual, including Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio,” sabi sa pahayag.

Bukod sa Office of the Vice President, at Department of Education, inalis din umano ng Kamara ang confidential funds ng iba pang civilian agency gaya ng Departments of Agriculture (DA), Foreign Affairs (DFA), at Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“Casting these decisions in a light of personal vendettas is a disservice to the diligent members of the House of the People and the very essence of our democratic process,” sabi pa sa pahayag.

Iginiit din sa pahayag na ang pork barrel fund na binabanggit ni dating Pangulong Duterte ay matagal ng idineklarang unconstitutional ng Korte Suprema.

“Our Members are firmly committed to respecting and upholding this ruling,” ayon pa sa pahayag.

“Rather than making sweeping allegations in the media, we advise the former president, if he has tangible evidence of wrongdoing, to present it to the appropriate authorities,” dagdag pa rito.

Kaugnay ng kritisismo sa extraordinary and miscellaneous funds ng Kamara, sinabi ng mga lider ng partido na ito ay alokasyon para sa mga opisyal na trabaho ng institusyon at ito ay sumasailalim sa masusing pagsusuri ng Commission on Audit (COA).

“In fact, these funds are subject to the rigorous oversight of the Commission on Audit (COA), the constitutionally mandated body responsible for examining all government expenditures. It is worth noting that, per COA, the House of Representatives passed all levels of audits. There were no red flags, no disallowances, and no suspensions – a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency,” sabi pa ng mga lider sa pahayag.

“We call upon the former President and all parties involved to avoid making threats or insinuating harm against any member of the House or the institution itself. Dialogue and understanding should always be at the forefront, superseding divisive rhetoric. Our foremost duty as public servants is to the Filipino people, and it is incumbent upon us to rise above personal and political divides to prioritize their welfare and the nation’s advancement,” dagdag pa ng mga ito.