Everybody’s equal under Aquino gov’t; nobody gets anything, says Congressman at CA hearings

MANILA, Philippines – The alleged non-release of lawmakers’ priority development assistance funds, known as the “pork barrel”, became an unwitting source of levity during Wednesday’s hearing of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

A CA member, while grilling Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, grumbled that he received a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO), but no cash allotment went with it.

To which Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who was also at the hearing, quickly, though somewhat predictably commented : “Mabuti nga kay Pnoy (President Aquino) may SARO, kay GMA wala (“At least during the time of President Aquino, there is a SARO, during GMA’s administration, there was none”).”

GMA are the initials of the former President, and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

After Lacson’s remark, the hearing resumed with the senator plying Purisima for more information, followed by other members of the Commission.

But when Camarines Sur Representative Luis Villafuerte got his turn with the Secretary, he brought up the pork barrel issue anew.

“Ang sabi po nila ang masama sa noong kapanahunan ni President Gloria Arroyo, ang pag release ng mga pondo ang iba wala (During the time of President Arroyo, some got pork barrel funds, others didn’t”),” Villafuerte said.

“Ang kabutihan daw po ng administrastion ni President Aquino ay pantay pantay, ngayon lahat wala (“The good news about President Aquino’s administration is everybody is treated the same way: nobody receives anything”),” he quipped, drawing guffaws all around the hearing hall.