MANILA, Philippines – Itinuturo ng miyembro ng Kamara ang reklamo ng National Unity Party (NUP) sa delayed na release para sa infrastructure projects at social services sa “cash management issues,” sa halip na paglalarawan ng partido na parusa sa mga distrito at komunidad sa opinyon o pagboto ng kanilang mga representative na tutol sa majority positions.
Sa press conference nitong Miyerkules, Setyembre 30, sinabi ni House Deputy Speaker at NUP president Rep. Ronaldo Puno na, “When a congressman does not vote the way the majority wants us to vote, it is not the correct reaction to deprive their constituents, and their voters, and their communities of whatever assistance that they deserve. Ang bawian, kami na lang. Huwag na yung distrito.”
“Sometimes you will talk to departments. I won’t mention specific ones. They will say we cannot release this because there was an order to stop,” dagdag pa.
Ilan sa mga miyembro ng kanyang partido ay may kapareho rin umanong sentimyento.
Kinumpirma naman ni Quezon 1st district Rep. Mark Enverga, miyembro ng Nationalist People’s Coalition at bahagi ng majority bloc sa Kamara na ang ilan sa fund releases ay naka-hold ngunit naniniwala siya na ito ay may kinalaman sa budget issues.
“We know maraming naka-hold. And we know na ‘yung budget, tight yung deficit issues. So siyempre, it’s cash management also,” sinabi ni Enverga, miyembro ng Nationalist People’s Coalition, sa panayam nitong Huwebes, Oktubre 1.
“May mga nakakausap kasi ako na ‘yung mga hindi supposedly sumusunod. I asked them kung may release sila. Mayroon naman silang releases,” dagdag pa niya.
Ani Enverga, mas malinaw na maipapaliwanag ng executive department ang isyu.
“Saka siguro ‘yung collections. It could be that. But of course that’s the executive. Sila naman ang familiar with that. It’s the DBM who would know better sa cash management position ng executive,” sinabi pa ng mambabatas.
Idinagdag naman ni Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan na, “even ‘yung mga nag-yes actually, nagfa-follow up sila sa amin, for those that said yes during that big issue about the impeachment voting. Parang it’s all the same. If something is not being implemented or something is being implemented, it’s for all. It’s happening in all districts.”
Ang paglalabas ng pondo ay “moving, but it’s slow.”
“Plus, there was the fuel crisis na they prioritize lang ‘yong subsidies. So priority ‘yon. So whatever that’s usually being put down to everywhere, na-hold lang kasi they prioritize, which everyone agreed na mauna ‘yung mga ‘yon,” dagdag pa niya.
Inireklamo rin ng NUP na ilan sa mga fund release para sa 2025 ay naantala.
Ipinaliwanag ni Enverga na ito ay maaaring dahil sa pagbusisi sa flood control projects.
“I think magulo ‘yon kasi na-FLR (For Later Release) talaga, questionable, ‘di ba? It’s 2025, maraming questionable yata. I don’t know how that’s treated.”
Ayon pa sa NUP, “there’s an uneven and selective approach in the programming and continuation of DPWH projects across certain districts and provinces.”
Tutol naman sina Enveraga at Singson-Meehan dito.
“I don’t think so… We don’t see a pattern kasi,” ani Singson-Meehan.
“Hindi naman siguro because everyone gets a release… Especially those ‘yung mga who abstained or did not vote (in the impeachment,) may release sila, as far as I’ve spoken to them,” ayon naman kay Enverga.
Hindi pa nagsagawa ng miting ang NPC patungkol sa isyu. RNT/JGC
