The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, who sponsored and defended the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget before the House plenary has assured Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of her support amid former president Rodrigo Duterte’s criticism of the lower chamber.
In a statement on Monday, Zamora clarified that she stands with the House under Romaludez’s leadership.
It was Zamora who defended the proposed 2024 budget of OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) — two agencies headed by Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
“I stand with the House of Representatives. With all the issues hurled at the House, I just want to extend my full support and continuous belief in my colleagues in Congress, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, and to all employees working, whether session is ongoing or not, to deliver the services needed by Filipinos,” Zamora said in Filipino.
Zamora issued the statement after saying that Romualdez was heavily criticized by the former president “on the realignment of confidential funds of his daughter”.
While Zamora defended the need for OVP and DepEd to have confidential funds (CF), the House ultimately decided to entirely strip both agencies and three others of secret fund allocations for 2024.
The OVP asked for a P500 million CF, while DepEd’s request was P150 million. According to the House leadership, this funding and other CF removed or deducted from other agencies would then be used to boost allocations to defense-oriented agencies securing the West Philippine Sea.
After the removal of the OVP and DepEd’s CF, former president Duterte then called the House as the most rotten government organization, claiming in a televised interview with Sonshine Media Network International that Romualdez is distributing pork barrel to a number of lawmakers.
Several lawmakers and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco have clarified that the House does not have any pork barrel, noting that the funds available with Congress are for extraordinary expenses instead.