Even militant lawmakers belonging to the administration coalition are receiving shabby treatment from Malacañang—just like the family and allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino revealed
that he and some of his colleagues from militant party-list groups had not
received their P70-million allocations this year from the Priority Development
Assistance Fund (PDAF), or pork barrel.
“I confirm we have not received any
releases for our projects from the PDAF this year. No word from the DBM
(Department of Budget and Management),” said Palatino, adding that they were
able to get their share of pork during the first year of the Aquino
administration without any hassles. Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said: “We
are still waiting for the releases. We are worried because we have committed
these funds to hospitals and all our funds have been used up. What can the poor
women access now?” Ilagan said Gabriela had scholarship
grants and water projects that have been affected by the delay in its pork
barrel release.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad Jr.
offered no explanation, however, saying that, “you have to ask them.” Abad pointed out that at least two of the
seven party-list representatives from the Makabayan bloc got their PDAF
releases—Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares.
Aside from Palatino and Ilagan, their
peers who had yet to receive a centavo of their P70 million annual allocation
are Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casino, Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus and ACT Teachers
Rep. Antonio Tinio. The zero-pork barrel Makabayan members are
now in the same boat as the allies of Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative
currently under hospital detention.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.