MINDANAO lawmakers rallied behind the House of Representatives that is now the subject of baseless accusations from those unhappy with its decision to realign some P1.23 billion in confidential funds, saying they fully support the leadership of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

In separate Facebook posts, Reps. Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte), Cheeno Miguel D. Almario (Davao Oriental), Maricar Zamora (Davao de Oro) and Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas (Surigao del Norte) all extolled the successes of the chamber they belong to, in reaction to recent attacks from former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The ex-president recently criticized the House of Representatives for redistributing the confidential funds of the offices headed by his daughter, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio, to national security agencies that uphold the country’s security in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“As one of the senior members of the House, I stand by the institution’s integrity and strict adherence to the law,” Barbers said.

“I join hands with my colleagues in support of the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez and the priority legislations of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, aimed towards advancing the interests of the people, uplifting their lives through measures that improve the economy, safeguarding our territory and ensuring our safety in the face of threats against our nation’s peace and independence,” he added.

He belied the elder Duterte’s claims that the Commission on Audit should take a look at the so-called “pork barrel” of Congress, a practice that has been rendered illegal by decisions of the Supreme Court.

“To the best of my knowledge, no Confidential and Intelligence Fund was ever appropriated to the House of Representatives, as validated by the COA audit reports,” Barbers bared.

He said the chamber has his “full cooperation” and will continue with the task of “forging peace and prosperity for our people.”

Rep. Almario of Davao Oriental said Romualdez, as the leader of the chamber, has his unwavering support.

“As a proud neophyte member of the House of Representatives, I wish to express my unwavering support for our esteemed Speaker Martin Romualdez, and the leadership of the House,” Almario expressed.

“Under Speaker Romualdez’s guidance, the House has consistently demonstrated its commitment to good governance, transparency and the welfare of the Filipino people. Being a part of this great institution gives me great pride and joy,” he stated.

“On the recent statement of the former president, we respect his opinion as we do others, as well. Let the axe fall where it may. The latest Commission on Audit report will show how the House funds were dispensed responsibly,” Almario noted.

“The House of Representatives has always been at the forefront of championing the needs and aspirations of our countrymen. Our records, which are open to public scrutiny, are a testament to our dedication to fiscal responsibility and transparency,” he further said.

Almario added that Romualdez has “shown time and again his dedication to the Filipino people.”

“We, as elected representatives, have always put the interests of the Filipino people above all else. We remain committed to our duty and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for all,” Almario stated.

Zamora, a lawmaker from Davao de Oro, also posted her support for the lower chamber and the leadership of Speaker Romualdez.

“I stand with the House of Representatives. Sa lahat ng mga isyu na ipinupukol ngayon sa House of Representatives, nais ko lamang ipaabot ang aking buong suporta at patuloy na pagtitiwala sa aking mga kasamahan sa Kongreso, sa pamumuno ni Speaker Martin Romualdez, at sa lahat ng mga empleyado na patuloy na nagtatrabaho, may session man o wala, para maipaabot ang iba’t-ibang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa bawat Pilipino,” Zamora said.

Zamora said that the House of Representatives has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure the implementation of many government services, including the establishment of infrastructure, hospitals, schools, roads and bridges, as well as social services, scholarships, medical aid and others.

“Sa ilang taon akong nanilbihan sa Kongreso, naramdaman ko ang pagiging mas-accessible ng Kongreso para sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan. Mas makatarungan ang pamimigay ng mga alokasyong nararapat sa bawat distrito,” she explained.

For his part, Matugas said the chamber under Romualdez’s leadership has demonstrated a commitment to transparency and accountability.

“𝗔𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 r𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗼 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗜 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘇,” Matugas said.

“𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco