DBM: House subpoena an opportunity to 'clarify' accusations
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Budget and Management on Thursday said it would welcome any subpoena from the House of Representatives so it can answer allegations of irregularities hurled against the agency.
The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday subpoenaed Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, upon the motion of Rep. Vicente Veloso (Leyte), for failing to appear before the panel for a fifth time.
Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur) — chairman of the Appropriations Committee — has accused Diokno of several anomalies, including the supposed “insertion” of P75 billion in the proposed 2019 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways without the agency’s knowledge and Diokno’s relatives allegedly receiving favors for government projects.
“These accusations are without basis and are meant to discredit the good reputation of this administration’s DBM as one of the most transparent and credible institutions in the world,” the Budget department said in a statement.
“Given these facts and the misconceptions about the process, we take any subpoena from the House as an opportunity to clarify all these matters not only to the public, but also for the official records of House,” it added.
Legislators went on their Christmas vacation last December without passing the proposed budget for this year, forcing the national government to run using a re-enacted budget beginning January.
Deliberations on the proposed 2019 budget has been delayed by Andaya's allegations that Diokno had made the budget insertions, which the Cabinet official vehemently denied.
Diokno last appeared before the House panel during a "Question Hour" last December. He has since snubbed future congressional probes after House lawmakers called on President Rodrigo Duterte to sack him.
- Latest
- Trending
