De Lima ‘clueless’ about ‘pork,’ asks that lawmakers with ‘pork’ be named

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Leila De Lima said she was “completely clueless” on the allegations made by Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya that the bulk of the P75-billion “pork” in the 2019 budget would be allotted to the senators.

“What is Rep. Andaya talking about? What P3B in projects for each senator? Sorry, but I’m completely clueless!” De Lima said in a letter on Friday.

The detained opposition senator also asked  that the lawmakers with “pork” be identified saying “Pwede ba, paki-identify na lang kung sinong mga mambabatas ang talagang may pork barrel at budget insertions.”

De Lima’s statement followed the recent allegation of Andaya as quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer saying that the 23 senators would receive at least P3 billion each in government projects, while members of the House will be sharing the remaining P5 billion.

READ: Lawmakers keep P75-B pork in final spending bill

Both chambers of the Congress are set to hold a meeting today, Friday, at 2 p.m. in a last-minute attempt to ratify the proposed national budget for 2019. /muf