MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr. on Wednesday dared Sen. Panfilo Lacson to file a case before the Supreme Court if he believes that the 2019 spending bill approved by the House of Representatives was unconstitutional.
The Surigao del Sur 1st District congressman also warned Lacson against “playing by saying the budget is unconstitutional.”
“If you believe it is unconstitutional, then file a case and question it. It is only when the Supreme Court declares it to be unconstitutional that it is unconstitutional,” Pichay, an ally of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said in a statement.
The district congressman also asked Lacson to stop his “act of desperation” allegedly arising from the latter’s “deep-rooted anger” against Arroyo.
In insisting that the itemization made by the House in the ratified spending bill was unconstitutional, Lacson said Arroyo may be charged for signing the “falsified” proposed 2019 national budget.
“Huwag nila kaming pilitin na mag violate ng Constitution. Huwag nila kaming isama kung gusto nila mag-violate (They should not include us in violating the Constitution),” Lacson told reportes.
“In fact, since Speaker Arroyo already signed the House version of the enrolled bill, she’s already prone to being charged for falsification because she has already certified on something that did not take place,” he added.
READ: Lacson says Arroyo may face raps over ‘falsified’ 2019 budget
Pichay pointed out that Lacson’s claim was “an act of desperation arising from his deep-rooted anger toward Speaker GMA.”
The lawmaker then reminded Lacson that the House, just like the Senate, is a collegial body.
“If she is liable, then [the] majority of the members are equally liable because we authorized her to do it. Why is Senator Lacson singling her out?” Pichay asked.
Lacson’s latest pronouncement was a “glaring example” that all the issue over the budget was fueled by the senator’s “personal vendetta” against the former President, according to Pichay.
READ: Bravo hits Lacson for holding 2019 budget ‘hostage’
Pichay also urged Lacson to “set aside” his alleged “rage” against the Pampanga 2nd District congresswoman.
“Senator Ping, for the sake of the country and for the sake of President Duterte who had called upon Congress to act on it swiftly, otherwise the economy and the welfare of the Filipino people will suffer, set aside mo muna ang rage mo kay Speaker (set aside your rage against the speaker),” he said.
Lacson had explained that the issue was “not about Speaker Arroyo.”
“This is not about any congressman or any senator. This is about my advocacy, my crusade against the pork barrel system and this is about the national budget,” he added.
READ: Lacson on ‘pork’ allegations: This is not about Arroyo
The passage of the proposed P3.8 trillion 2019 national budget is currently in limbo as the Senate has yet to approve the budget bill that the House transmitted. Senators have been pushing to retain the ratified version of the spending bill with lump-sum appropriations, while the House contingent wants the budget that they itemized after it was ratified by both chambers. /ee
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