MANILA, Philippines—Incoming House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said that among his priorities would be making sure all members of the minority bloc got their pork barrel.
Rep. Danilo Suarez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Five members of the minority had not received their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)—Juan Miguel Arroyo (Ang Galing Pinoy), Diosdado Arroyo (Camarines Sur), Ignacio Arroyo (Negros Occidental), Milagros Magsaysay (Zambales) and Augusto Syjuco (Iloilo).
All were allied with former President turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has received her PDAF.
Suarez noted that President Aquino had declared at the start of his presidency that each member of the House of Representatives would get their P70-million PDAF regardless of their stand on issues or party affiliation.
“I think we have to fight for what is the rightful share of our members. Our members are not the ones who are not hurt by a zero pork barrel but their constituents,” said Suarez.
The disbursement of the pork barrel is controlled by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad Jr., an ally of Mr. Aquino.
Magsaysay had accused Abad of withholding the PDAF of critics of the administration.
“It just shows the immaturity of the administration in not accepting criticism and adverse opinions, which is part of a healthy and vibrant democracy,” said Magsaysay.
But an administration source said that while the five representatives’ PDAF may have been withheld, the mayors in their districts still got their projects courtesy of Malacañang. The source said the representatives were just eased out of the process.