DBM turns over to the House of Representatives the proposed national budget for 2025. (File photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives committee on appropriations has terminated deliberations on the proposed budget of the Office of the President (OP) for 2025 in just under 20 minutes.
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc objected to the proceeding.
However, Abra Lone District Rep. Ching Bernos on Monday moved to terminate the OP budget discussions at 9:39 a.m., or just 15 minutes after the appropriations panel convened its hearing at 9:24 a.m.
Makabayan bloc members, including Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, objected to the motion.
He said it would appear that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is lying if the panel approved the OP budget, as the Chief Executive previously said all agencies have to go through the budget deliberations.
“Mr. Chair, as part of the long-standing tradition and practice of the House of Representatives and the committee on appropriations to extend parliamentary courtesy to the Office of the President, in recognition of its distinguished role and significance in government, I move that we terminate the budget hearing of the [OP],” Bernos moved, which was seconded.
“Mr. Chair, I object dahil ang sabi po ng Presidente, all government agencies undergo the same process tuwing budget deliberations, bilang sagot sa Office of the Vice President,” Manuel said.
“So kung gano’n, Mr. Chair, na ite-terminate natin ngayon ang deliberations, we are affirming ang pagiging brat ng vice president,” he pointed out.
“And in fact, Mr. Chair, pinapalabas natin na nagsisinungaling ‘yung mismong presidente by evading the process of government na mag-undergo ng scrutiny, Mr. Chair,” he added.
Appropriations vice chair and presiding officer, Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, asked Manuel to take back his statements.
Tiangco said the decisions of the House panel and the chamber are independent of those of the executive.
This led to Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin to move that Manuel’s statements be struck off the record.
Eventually, all three Makabayan lawmakers — Manuel, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro — were allowed to speak on the issue.
Budget deliberations were then suspended at 10:06 a.m.