House adopts resolution urging Duterte to fire Diokno

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives adopted Wednesday a resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to “reconsider the appointment” of Budget Chief Benjamin Diokno.

READ: Suarez on Diokno: ‘Kung ako siya, magreresign na ko’

Minority Leader Danilo Suarez filed House Resolution No. 2365 today and it was immediately adopted during the plenary session.

Suarez and Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. are accusing Diokno of orchestrating the “insertion” of some P75 billion infrastructure fund in the proposed 2019 national budget without the President’s knowledge. Diokno has denied the allegation.

READ: Andaya says Diokno behind P75-B insertion in DPWH budget

In the resolution, Suarez cited that during Tuesday’s Question Hour, Diokno “was not able to explain how one sole proprietorship construction company was able to obtain numerous projects from the government in Sorsogon, amounting to billions of pesos.”

“There are doubts as to the secretary’s integrity and use of his position in accommodating and merging family with public interests,” Suarez added.

Both Andaya and Suarez said Duterte and the Department of Public Works and Highways had no knowledge of the P75 billion “inserted” infrastructure fund in next year’s appropriation.

District congressmen were also not aware of these funds allotted to their districts, according to Andaya. /ee

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