House defers deliberations on PCOO’s 2021 budget

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday deferred the deliberations on the budget proposal of the Presidential Communications Operations Office for 2022 after one of the agency Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy refused to apologize and remove her posts red-tagging several progressive lawmakers.

During the plenary debates on the PCOO’s budget, House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante raised concern over the red-tagging activities of Badoy and demanded the official to apologize and take down her posts.

Bataan Rep. Joet Garcia, who is defending the PCOO budget, said that Badoy’s remarks were her personal opinion and does not involve the PCOO.

However, Badoy’s remarks were the official positions of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, where she is the spokesperson.

Garcia said Badoy is willing to take down the posts and apologize as long as Makabayan lawmakers will also sign and make it known that they are also against the armed conflict to take down the government.

“Willing siya i-take down, willing siya humingi ng paumanhin, basta ang ating mga kasamahan ay magsa-sign din o kaya ipapaalam din sa lahat na sila ay laban sa kahit anong armed conflict para patumbahin ang ating pamahalaan,” he added.

However, this did not sit well with Abante as he said there should be no conditions in making an apology.

“Kung mag-a-apologize si Usec. Badoy, then dapat tanggalin niya ‘yung mga conditions at magkaroon tayo ng agreement,” he said.

Abante then moved for the deferment of the PCOO budget.

The majority bloc also supported Abante’s motion and with no objections, the motion was carried. [ac]