Diokno skips House probe into 2019 budget despite subpoena
MANILA, Philippines — Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Friday skipped a congressional probe into alleged anomalies in the 2019 national budget despite a subpoena ordering him to appear before lawmakers, citing “violations” of House rules.
In a statement, Diokno said he has sought for a reschedule of the hearing, stressing that officials of the Department of Budget and Management have the right to proper notice and “a fair and just hearing.”
He said the Subpoena Ad Testificandum signed by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Pampanga) and Committee on Appropriations chair Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur) was received by the DBM 11 a.m., Thursday morning with the hearing scheduled the next day, Friday at 10 a.m.
While he welcomed the subpoena from the House of Representatives, Diokno said there was “no proper notice and not enough time” to allow him and other budget officials to adequately prepare for the House hearing.
Section 8 (3) of the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation of the House of Representatives provides: “Subpoena shall be served to a witness at least three days before a scheduled hearing in order to give the witness every opportunity to prepare for the hearing and to employ counsel, should the witness desire.”
Despite Diokno’s absence, the DBM on Friday submitted to the House panel copies of the documents being subpoenaed for its “perusal and reference.”
“Whatever is the real purpose of the House in calling me, I will appear in Congress. However, I take my duty to the people very seriously,” the Budget chief said.
“It is only right that we prepare in order to give the Filipino people a complete and clear picture of the matter, and avoid giving information that only suits a specific agenda. We are definitely cooperating but it is imperative that we be given the proper amount of time to prepare,” he added.
Diokno last appeared before the House of Representatives during a "Question Hour" last December. He has since snubbed future hearings after House lawmakers called on President Rodrigo Duterte to sack him.
Andaya 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.
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.
Contempt
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.
At Friday’s budget probe, Andaya said Diokno has been cited in contempt for skipping the House hearing, arguing that the DBM chief “waived his right” to the three-day subpoena rule when he submitted the documents requested by lawmakers.
“Pasensya ka na Secretary Diokno nakikinig ka naman, sablay na naman ang advice sayo kasi pinadala mo na ‘to, di ka rin sisipot, contempt ka pa rin (I’m sorry, Secretary Diokno, I know you’re listening. The advice given to you failed because you submitted the documents being subpoenaed without showing up before the committee. You’re still cited in contempt),” Andaya said.
“The point being here is this is a chance to clear your name. Now if you start hiding behind technicalities, wala rin ho mangyayari (that’s useless). This will just go on and if they think if the budget is passed this afternoon that this investigation will go away, they are in for a surprise. This committee will continue with its hearing,” he added. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
- Latest
- Trending
