(INQUIRER / LYN RILLON)
MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin has clarified that tensions are flaring up at the House of Representatives’ plenary debates on the proposed 2025 budget is because lawmakers are engaged in intense debates.
Garin, in a statement on Friday, said that Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee’s actions — grabbing the microphone from Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza while the latter was speaking — was not a rude act but emotions taking over lawmakers.
Lee’s actions came after Daza moved to terminate deliberations on the proposed Department of Health (DOH) budget, as the former still wanted to ask questions.
“Liwanagin lang natin na yung viral video tungkol sa proseso ng debate ay hindi bastusan sa pagitan ng mga nagtatalong miyembro ng Kamara kundi mainitang paggiit ng ideya at mungkahi ng bawat panig habang hinahabol na maipasa sa mga huling oras ng pinakahuling gabi ng sesyun ang panukalang batas para sa ating pambansang badyet,” Garin said.
(I would like to clarify the viral video about the debate process, that disagreeing members of Congress are not being rude when they debate, as they only intensely insist on their ideas and proposals, as we try to approve the bill on the last session day.)
“Emotional outbursts typically occur when passions run high during clashes of views between opposing legislators, especially when they are deliberating on the general appropriations bill under time pressure,” she added.
According to Garin, she herself was also emotionally charged because as much as she wanted to scrutinize the DOH programs, she believed the department’s program must not be put in limbo.
“Tatlong araw nang pabalik-balik ang taga-DOH para maisaayos ang badyet para sa kanilang mga programang maibigay ang maayos na serbisyo sa Filipino… kaya nang makita kong inagaw ng isang kongresista ang mikropono para sa kanyang paulit-ulit na pagtangkang mabalam ang proseso ay agaran kong sinuportahan ang mosyon ng minority na tapusin ang balitaktakan sa plenaryo,” she noted.
(DOH has been going back and forth to the House to address concerns about their budget to fix their program for the Filipino people. That’s why I immediately supported a motion to end discussions at the plenary when I saw that a lawmaker grabbed the microphone for his repeated attempt to defer the budget.)
During the end of the interpellations for DOH’s proposed budget — hours before the House was set to approve the General Appropriations Bill — Daza moved to terminate deliberations as no minority lawmaker wanted to ask questions.
However, Lee tried to interrupt Daza by going near him and grabbing one of the microphones at the plenary.
“We appreciate your understanding and patience with the members of the Minority as I know sometimes we all get emotional, and appreciate what the vice chair and the chairman have done to make sure our concerns and issues are addressed. Thank you so much to our vice chairs, and other sponsors,”
“Mr. Speaker, having no more members of the Minority,” Daza said, before he was interrupted by Lee.
“No, Mr. Speaker, Madam Sponsor, no,” Lee said.
Garin meanwhile proceeded with the motion to terminate the deliberations on the DOH budget, asking the Speaker to rule on the motion.
“Mr. Speaker, we join the Minority in their motion to terminate the period of debate and interpellation (on the Department of Health budget), so moved Mr. Speaker,” Garin said.
“Ganyan na ba ang nangyayari ngayon dito sa atin? No, Mr. Speaker, let me question the quorum Mr. Speaker, let me question the quorum,” Lee countered.
Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco then approved Garin’s motion.
DOH’s proposed budget was initially discussed last Monday, but Lee moved to defer the discussions as some of his concerns — like his proposal for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to expand its coverage — were not addressed.
According to Garin, some of the requests made by Lee could not be immediately provided, and waiting for it might have derailed the budget process.
Despite the issue, Garin said she has talked with Lee about the incident.
The House on the same day approved the proposed P6.352 trillion budget for 2025 on Wednesday, before it goes on a break.
This was made possible after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. certified the budget bill as urgent, allowing the House to approve it on second reading and third reading on the same day.