RH supporter denies add'l billions are 'gift' to self

MANILA, Philippines - Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Kimi Cojuangco on Friday objected to a Philippine Star headline that says lawmakers gave themselves a "gift" of billions more of pork barrel.

Cojuangco, who posted a photo of the front page of the publication on her Twitter account, told @Philstarnews that the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate "are bound by public trust to use (the money) for the people."

"We did not gift ourselves; the money is not mine," Cojaungco said, referring to a report that P5.78 billion that would be collected from excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol will go to the lawmakers' Priority Development Assistance Fund, popularly known as the "pork barrel."

Cojuangco, who disclosed that she is currently in Batangas, said that part of the taxes collected from the implementation of the new Sin Tax Reform Law will be dedicated to public spending.

"Yes, there is a provision that from taxes collected there will be more public spending which is GOOD. I just object to the (headline). Public money is not a gift to me as a lawmaker," Cojuangco said.

She continued that the money will be used "responsibly, properly and transparently in my district for the people."

The report says that existing pork barrel of P70 million is allotted for projects of each representative while P200 million is given to each senator.