Castro on Lacson’s claims: Fictional allegations don’t deserve my comment

MANILA, Philippines — Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro on Thursday said Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s claims against him are “fictional” and does not deserve his comment.

“The issue is now becoming a child’s quarrel. The allegation, being fictional, does not deserve my comment,” Castro told reporters.

Lacson, also on Thursday, accused Castro of attempting to approach him to supposedly “lobby a project.”

READ: Lacson says Castro approached him possibly to ‘lobby a project’ 

The senator also said in a separate tweet that Castro should “take some memory enhancement pills” after the latter said the 2019 national budget did not have any illegal pork barrel.

READ: Lacson twits Castro: ‘Take some memory enhancement pills’

The word war between the two legislators started when Lacson accused the House of inserting billions of pork in the proposed national budget for 2020.

In a privilege speech Wednesday, Castro demanded Lacson’s apology but the senator refused to do so.

READ: Lawmaker demands Lacson apologize to House for pork comments | 

Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor, who earlier said the Senate’s proposed budget should be reduced, meanwhile maintained that the 2020 General Appropriations Bill the House passed last Sept. 20 did not contain any pork.

“The leadership and the entirety of Congress worked hard to have a record approval of the budget and instead of being commended by a colleague they are instead getting attacked,” Defensor said. “Where are fairness and statesmanship there?” /je

READ: Defensor wants budget cut for Senate after Lacson’s pork allegations