Plenary of the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. Photo by Noel Celis / AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Instead of “hitting” on the House of Representatives’ increased budget, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III should likewise welcome the decision of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to suspend the construction of the New Senate Building (NSB).
Members of the House’s so-called “Young Guns” issued this statement on Thursday, claiming that Pimentel “was diverting the issue” after he told them to look first at the “dramatic increase” in the lower chamber’s budget – from P16 billion to P28 billion.
READ: Pimentel to House: Check your budget spike instead of hitting Senate funds
“Almost everybody is in praise of Senate President Chiz Escudero’s decision to suspend construction of the new Senate building pending comprehensive review. All except Senator Pimentel, who, last we heard, was still the Minority Leader. What gives?” House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun said in a statement on Thursday.
“Instead of hitting us, congressmen, the good Senate Minority Leader should welcome our move to applaud the decision of the new Senate leadership to uphold the principles of good governance. Hindi talaga namin maintindihan kung bakit nagagalit sa amin si Senator Pimentel,” Khonghun added.
For his part, House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako-Bicol Partylist Rep. Jil Bongalon questioned if it was necessary for the senator to compare both chambers’ respective budgets.
“One thing is clear: the House of Representatives, with its over 300 members, does not have a P23-billion building project. Senator Pimentel’s attempts to divert scrutiny from the Senate’s controversial expenditure by highlighting the House’s budget increase are unfounded and misleading,” Bongalon said.
“Public funds must be utilized transparently and judiciously, irrespective of the agency or branch of government,” he added.
Echoing the same sentiments, 1-Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez pointed out that “there is no need to be onion-skinned about the criticisms aimed at the Senate’s spending” as public officials.
“The public deserves to know why the cost of the NSB has escalated so dramatically, and your role as a Senator should include ensuring accountability and transparency, not merely defending controversial projects,” Gutierrez said.
Earlier reports said the project’s budget was initially set at P8.9 billion but has already climbed to P13 billion with an additional P10 billion, bringing the total budget to P23 billion.
Upon learning about this, Escudero said last June 10 that he directed Senator Alan Cayetano – as head of the Senate committee on accounts – to suspend the payments and construction of the new building, pending review.