'Time's up!': Velasco hits Cayetano's 'railroading' of 2021 budget
MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque) on Tuesday condemned the actions of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano following the passage of the proposed 2021 national budget on second reading.
Cayetano and Velasco initially agreed to a term-sharing deal of the House speakership. Following a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte this week, the two camps have different stories on the matter.
The incumbent speaker, meanwhile, moved to terminate budget deliberations and suspended House session until November 16.
With the latest developments at the House, Velasco warned Cayetano that his term as speaker would soon be over.
"He knows very well that he no longer enjoys the trust and confidence of House members. This caper is the last nail to his coffin. Speaker Cayetano, your time is up," Velasco said in a statement released Tuesday night.
Velasco claimed that Cayetano and his allies in the lower chamber of Congress railroaded the legislative process when they terminated the budget deliberations, as lawmakers were not given enough time to scrutinize the proposed 2021 national budget.
"The railroading is contrary to the Speaker's commitment for a national spending package that is open, transparent and meaningful and beneficial for the Filipino people," Velasco said.
Citing the approved Calendar of Congress which indicates that suspension on session should be on October 17, Velasco said Cayetano's declaration of suspension violates provisions of the Constitution.
Under Section 16(5), Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution:
Neither House during the sessions of the Congress shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
"Maneuvering of the House Rules and Calendar which is obviously an aftermath of Speaker Cayetano's failure to secure the full support of President Duterte during our recent meeting and evade the October 14, 2020 peaceful transition of House Speakership to this representation based on the term-sharing agreement," Velasco said.
Cayetano's unilateral actions translate the "loss of confidence" by majority House members, Velasco added.
Senate President Tito Sotto, meanwhile, said the House "disregarded" the priority request of Duterte to pass the 2021 national budget.
"There is no way we can finish the budget if it is not submitted to us before the mandated break after [October] 14. Do not blame us!" Sotto said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with report from Xave Gregorio
The Duterte administration is set to submit its penultimate budget proposal for Congress's consideration on Tuesday, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado says.
"We've arranged the submission today after lunch," Avisado says in a text message.
The proposed budget will be worth P4.506 trillion, 9.9% higher than this year's P4.1-trillion outlay. The government says the outlay would prioritize ongoing response to the pandemic. — Prinz Magtulis
President Rodrigo Duterte will sign his administration's penultimate budget on December 28, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says.
A few weeks ago, both chambers of Congress ratified the 2021 national budget worth P4.5 trillion.
The House of Representatives approves on final reading the extension of validity of Bayanihan 2 until June 30, 2021.
Executive agencies with projects and campaigns under the Bayanihan II law must make sure all programs have been implemented before the legislation lapses on December 19, Sen. Bong Go says in a news release.
The statement came after the Department of Budget and Management said that the law, signed September 11, still has unreleased appropriations.
Bayanihan II, meant to provide resources to assist Filipinos affected by the pandemic, covers a cash-for-work program, economic relief to enterprises and aid the healthcare system. The 2020 General Appropriations Act will similarly lapse within the month.
"Agencies should work overtime to fund and implement provisions in these laws," Go says.
The House of Representatives ratifies the proposed P4.506 trillion national budget for 2021.
Deliberations on the 2021 national budget are still ongoing at the Senate as of writing time.
Once approved by both chambers of Congress, the proposed budget can be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.
The House ratifies the bicameral conference committee report on the 2021 General Appropriations Bill. pic.twitter.com/vrMdPAWYAy
— House of Representatives of the Philippines (@HouseofRepsPH) December 9, 2020
The bicameral committee on the 2021 budget panel reconvenes today led by Rep. Eric Yap (ACT-CIS partylist) of the House appropriations panel and Sen. Sonny Angara of the Senate's finance panel.
The joint panels are aiming to ratify the P4.5-trillion budget in the afternoon. — Image from the Office of Sen. Angara
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