MANILA, Philippines?An angry Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago vowed Saturday to block the passage of the proposed 2010 budget for the Office of Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in retaliation to his statement that her opposition to the proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao was an offshoot of her long feud with Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

Santiago lost her temper in an interview over dWIZ radio when she learned Remonde made that statement.

Her voice raised and shaking in anger, Santiago said apparently Remonde had not been reading her statements on why Proclamation 1959 had to be revoked as well as her explanations of her fears that some groups may be preparing the ground to extend martial law beyond Maguindanao.

She called Remonde "illiterate and ridiculous'' and asked whether he was the "press secretary of Puno'' as she vowed that come Monday?when the Senate is expected to pass the proposed P1.54 trillion national budget for 2010 on second and third reading? she was "going to stand on a filibuster until Remonde's OPS budget would the one only remaining unapproved.''

"I am going to avail of every parliamentary procedure so that spokesman's office can either be eliminated or (his budget) reduced to the 2008 level,'' Santiago said.

"He is not helping the President, Malacañang or the people.... Why doesn?t he find an honest living?'' she retorted in anger against Remonde, adding she did not understand why Malacañang appointed him press secretary.

Still bristling, Santiago said that Remonde tended to broadcast himself more during state visits of Arroyo by making sure he would be included in photo opportunities with the Chief Executive rather than helping her in delivering her message to the media.

"Hindi na nahiya (He?s shameless),'' she said.

"I am going to look for that person and if possible inflict as much as physical injury I can on him. Watch me,'' Santiago said.

She appreciated more the statement made by Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales that he intended to speak to her in private to clear any suspicions he was involved in any plot to extend martial law all over the country. She said Gonzales? was "proper attitude by an intelligent person.''