Lacson says he’s enjoying unfolding revelations concerning budget

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JAM STA. ROSA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Wednesday that he is enjoying the successive revelations concerning alleged irregularities with the proposed 2019 budget.

“Let’s put it this way.  I’m enjoying this.  Di ba noon may nagtanong kung hindi ba useless ang ginagawa ninyong effort, nagpapakapagod lang?” Lacson said in an ambush interview after the joint session of Congress.

“Eh ngayon hindi na lamang ang tungkol sa realignment ang usapin kundi pati ang posibleng excesses sa pag-prepare ng NEP (National Expenditure Program),” he added.

Previously, Lacson bared that “pork” or cash allocations for lawmakers are existent in the 2019 budget.  He also said that the district of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received around P2.4 billion worth of appropriations for various projects.

After Malacañang asked Arroyo and her allies in the House of Representatives to explain the supposed insertion, House Majority Leader Rep. Rolando Andaya clapped back by saying that Malacañang gave a Bulacan-based firm at least 30 contracts in different parts of the country.

READ: Lacson scrutinizes ‘pork’ in proposed 2019 national budget

READ: Lacson: P2.4-B pork for Arroyo’s district

READ: Andaya bares favored Palace contractor

On whether his criticism of Arroyo was done in purpose, Lacson said that he was not aware that Arroyo and Andaya were the representatives of the districts that got the huge share of projects.

“Hindi siya sini-single out. Indiscriminate nga ang paghanap namin ng lumobong legislative districts,” Lacson explained.

“Hindi ko nga alam, tinitingnan namin ang legislative districts, di ko nga alam, di ako mindful o conscious […] hindi ko alam na siya ang representative ng 2nd legislative district ng Pampanga.  Hindi ko rin alam kung first o second district si Rep. Andaya pero doon namin nakita ang P2.4 at P1.9 (billion),” he added. /jpv