House sets caucus today vs budget veto

House leaders cross party lines today in a caucus meant to adopt a common stand against President Estrada's veto of some special provisions of the 2000 General Appropriations Act.

Speaker Manuel Villar said the meeting was made imperative by calls from several congressmen for the chamber to take steps to oppose the veto.

"We need an all-party caucus for that. We have to consult our colleagues," Villar said.

The President has rejected 23 provisions of the P629-billion national budget for this year, mostly those requiring congressional concurrence in the implementation of pertinent projects.

The veto triggered a growing resentment among the congressmen who threatened to retaliate by sitting on a number of administration bills, or not attending sessions and committee hearings.

The House adjourned its session on Monday last week barely one hour after opening due to lack of quorum.

Only 95 out of the 220 House members answered the roll call, or 17 short of the required simple majority of 50 percent plus one.

Nonetheless, House Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas expressed optimism that two priority administration measures--the Omnibus Power Bill and the Revised Securities Act--would likely be passed before Congress goes on its Lenten recess on April 16.

"Speaker Villar and I are committed to working out the approval of these structural economic reform bills before Congress adjourns in April," Gullas said.

He noted that the delay in the passage of the Revised Securities Act could be partly blamed on outgoing Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr. who claimed Malacañang tried to intervene in the SEC probe of alleged insider trading and stock manipulation at the bourse involving the gaming franchise holder Best World Resources Corp.

"Mr. Yasay triggered a controversy that compelled some opposition lawmakers to demand more time to discuss the measure," he said.

On the other hand, constant "carping" by some critical administration lawmakers led to extensive debates over the power bill, the Cebu congressman added.

"Many of our colleagues have indicated their desire to interpellate on the two bills, so it will now require a few more days for us to get the measures approved," he said.

He also said Villar has tried to persuade other House members to limit interpellations to ensure speedy passage of the bills.

"Of course, there will (still) be floor debates, but we want to discourage obstructionism and possible repetitive arguments since we have a deadline to meet," Gullas stressed.

The Omnibus Power Bill seeks to restructure the energy sector and sets guidelines for the privatization of the National Power Corp. while the Revised Securities Act aims to restructure and strengthen the SEC. -